Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

ROMANS 6:3KJV
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Romans 6:3 (KJV)

What does Romans 6:3 mean?

Romans 6:3 says that everyone who has been baptized into Jesus Christ has also been baptized into his death. This means that through baptism, believers are somehow joined with Jesus in the reality of his death.

Paul is writing to the Christians in Rome, reminding them that baptism is not just a ritual but a way of sharing in what happened to Jesus on the cross. Paul’s point is that being united with Jesus means sharing in both his death and, as he will go on to explain, his new life. This sets up the idea that believers are no longer under the power of sin, because they have symbolically died with Christ.

The Greek behind Romans 6:3

  • βαπτίζω (baptizō): This word means "to immerse" or "to baptize." In this verse, it emphasizes a deep identification or union with Jesus, not just a surface act.
  • εἰς (eis): This preposition means "into" and is used twice—"into Jesus Christ" and "into his death." The Greek here carries the sense of entering into a new state or relationship, not just moving toward something.
  • θάνατος (thanatos): This means "death." Paul uses it to show that baptism connects believers directly to the death of Jesus, not just to his teachings or example.

Why Romans 6:3 matters

  • Romans 6:3 clears up the idea that baptism is only a symbol or tradition; Paul treats it as a real joining with Jesus in his death.
  • The verse highlights the close connection between Jesus and believers, showing that following him means sharing in his story, starting with his death.
  • This sets the stage for the rest of Romans 6, where Paul explains how this union with Jesus changes a believer’s relationship to sin and new life.

Where else these words appear

“not” Greek G50 · used in 21 verses

  • Mark 9:32 But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.
  • Romans 7:1 Know ye not, brethren,(for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?
  • 2 Corinthians 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

“baptized” Greek G907 · used in 65 verses

  • Matthew 3:6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.
  • Luke 7:29 And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.
  • Acts 8:36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?

“us” Greek G3745 · used in 104 verses

  • Matthew 7:12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
  • Luke 11:8 I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.
  • Romans 2:12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;

“death” Greek G2288 · used in 106 verses

  • Matthew 4:16 The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.
  • Acts 28:18 Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me.
  • Philippians 1:20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.