Devine Scripture

Matthew 3:16

What does Matthew 3:16 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 3:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 3:16 means

Immediately after Jesus' baptism, as He emerged from the water, a profound divine manifestation occurred. The heavens opened, and the Spirit of God descended upon Him "as a dove." This visible descent of the Holy Spirit publicly anointed Jesus for His ministry, signifying His divine empowerment and confirming His identity as the Messiah. The imagery of a dove often symbolizes peace, purity, and the bringing of a new creation.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway from the water: and lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon him;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway from the water: and lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon him;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And Jesus, having been given baptism, straight away went up from the water; and, the heavens opening, he saw the Spirit of God coming down on him as a dove;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And having been baptized, Jesus went up immediately from the water, and lo, opened to him were the heavens, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon him,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And Jesus being baptized, forthwith came out of the water: and lo, the heavens were opened to him: and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon him.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And Jesus, having been baptised, went up straightway from the water, and lo, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit ofGod descending as a dove, and coming upon him:

Context

This verse describes the immediate, supernatural consequences of Jesus' baptism, fulfilling the purpose He stated in verse 15. The opening of the heavens and the descent of the Holy Spirit visually and tangibly confirm Jesus' divine status, preparing the reader for the ultimate verbal affirmation from God the Father that immediately follows.

v.15But Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffereth him.

v.16This passage

v.17and lo, a voice out of the heavens, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Isaiah 11:2

    And the Spirit of Jehovah shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of Jehovah.

  • Colossians 1:18

    And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

  • Luke 3:21

    Now it came to pass, when all the people were baptized, that, Jesus also having been baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,

  • Mark 1:10

    And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens rent asunder, and the Spirit as a dove descending upon him:

  • Ezekiel 1:1

    Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourthmonth, in the fifthdayof the month, as I was among the captives by the river Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.

  • John 3:34

    For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for he giveth not the Spirit by measure.

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