Matthew 3:17
What does Matthew 3:17 mean?
A plain-English look at Matthew 3:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Matthew 3:17 means
Following the descent of the Holy Spirit, a voice from heaven—God the Father's voice—verbally affirmed Jesus, declaring, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." This pronouncement explicitly identifies Jesus as the Son of God and expresses the Father's perfect delight in Him. This triune manifestation—Father speaking, Son present, Spirit descending—marks the official beginning of Jesus' public ministry and powerfully declares His divine authority and identity.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000and lo, a voice out of the heavens, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and lo, a voice out of the heavens, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And a voice came out of heaven, saying, This is my dearly loved Son, with whom I am well pleased.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and lo, a voice out of the heavens, saying, `This is My Son--the Beloved, in whom I did delight.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And behold a voice from heaven saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and behold, a voice out of the heavens saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I have found my delight.
Context
This verse provides the apex of the divine revelation at Jesus' baptism, building upon the miraculous events of verse 16. The voice from heaven serves as the ultimate divine affirmation of Jesus' identity and role, unequivocally declaring Him as the beloved Son. This divine endorsement marks the triumphant conclusion of John's preparatory ministry and the powerful inauguration of Jesus' own public work.
v.16And 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;
v.17This passage
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 12:28
Father, glorify thy name. There came therefore a voice out of heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.
- Mark 1:11
and a voice came out of the heavens, Thou art my beloved Son, in thee I am well pleased.
- Colossians 1:13
who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love;
- Isaiah 42:1
Behold, my servant, whom I uphold; my chosen, in whom my soul delighteth: I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the Gentiles.
- Matthew 12:18
Behold, my servant whom I have chosen; My beloved in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my Spirit upon him, And he shall declare judgment to the Gentiles.
- John 5:37
And the Father that sent me, he hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his form.
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Matthew 3
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Matthew 3.
Devotionals
Devotional
Small Faith, Real Faith
A mustard seed is enough. Not a mountain of certainty — a seed of trust.
Devotional
The Weight We Were Not Built to Carry
Jesus does not promise the absence of burden. He offers an exchange.
Devotional
Consider the Lilies
Worry forgets that the same God who clothes the field clothes you.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Baptism
Baptism is a significant act symbolizing new life in Christ, repentance, and identification with his death, burial, and resurrection.
Topic
Bible Verses About Confession of Sin
Confession of sin is an essential step in drawing near to God and receiving His forgiveness and cleansing.
Topic
Bible Verses About Repentance
Repentance in the Bible is a turning away from sin and toward God, marked by a change of heart and action.
What the Bible says about…
Verses for this moment
Verses for
Bible Verses for a Panic Attack at Night
Steady, slow verses to pray when your chest is tight and the house is dark.
Verses for
Bible Verses for Morning Work Anxiety
Start the workday from a steadier place — verses to pray with coffee.
Verses for
Bible Verses for When You Can't Sleep Because of Anxious Thoughts
Verses to read in bed when your mind won't stop.