Why was Jesus Baptized?

As we are studying thru the Gospel of Mark on Sunday morning we have come to the Baptism of Jesus.  This is a very important event in the life and ministry of Jesus and there are many significant aspects of this account.  But one of the most difficult questions to answer is: "Why did Jesus need to be baptized?"  If John's baptism was a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins (Mk. 1:4) and Jesus had no sin (2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 4:15; 1 Peter 3:18) then why did He have to be baptized.

Matt 3:13-15 (provides us with a little further insight.) 
"Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.14 And John tried to prevent Him, saying, "I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?"15 But Jesus answered and said to him, "Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed Him. " NKJV

Jesus said His baptism was necessary "to fulfill all righteousness"; to do everything that was right according to God and His Word.
Here are the answers that I would give you and I certainly welcome any other answers or insights that you may have. 

1.  John's Baptism was a commandment from God and Jesus as a man was to live in perfect obedience to God's law and though he had no sin of his own He was in absolute obedience to God's law. 

2.  I believe the baptism of Jesus is symbolic of His work on the cross.  In being baptized he is identifying with the sinners for whom He will die.  He is not baptized for his own sins, He will not die for His own sins, but for the sinners with whom he has come to identify with.  He will then rise from the depths of the dead and bring salvation to all who believe.  I believe this work of salvation is symbolized in Jesus Baptism.

3.  There is one other thought or answer that is given and that is that Jesus was baptized because He had to fulfill the legal requirements for entering into the priesthood.  For further explanation
of this answer please click on the link below. 
www.carm.org/questions/why-was-jesus-baptized