The phrase “This is My Beloved Son” was spoken twice by God the Father in the New Testament, affirming Jesus’ identity as the Son of God. These moments were divine confirmations of Jesus’ mission.
1. At Jesus’ Baptism
📖 Matthew 3:16-17 (Also in Mark 1:9-11, Luke 3:21-22)
“And when Jesus was baptized, immediately He went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on Him;
and behold, a voice from heaven said, ‘This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.'”
🔹 Key Points:
- This happened at the Jordan River when John the Baptist baptized Jesus.
- The Trinity was present:
- God the Father (spoke from heaven)
- Jesus the Son (being baptized)
- The Holy Spirit (appeared as a dove)
- This moment marked the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry.
2. At Jesus’ Transfiguration
📖 Matthew 17:5 (Also in Mark 9:7, Luke 9:35)
“While He was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice from the cloud said,
‘This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him!'”
🔹 Key Points:
- Peter, James, and John witnessed Jesus transfigured in glory.
- Moses and Elijah appeared, symbolizing the Law and the Prophets.
- God added a command: “Listen to Him!”
- This confirmed Jesus as greater than Moses and Elijah, fulfilling the Old Testament.
Why Did God Say “This is My Beloved Son” Twice?
✅ At the Baptism → Affirms Jesus as the Messiah before His ministry begins.
✅ At the Transfiguration → Affirms Jesus as the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets.
Theological Significance
- Jesus is the divine Son of God.
- God the Father publicly confirmed Jesus’ mission.
- Jesus is the final authority—we are to “listen to Him”.
The Father (God) spoke audibly to Jesus in the presence of others three times in the New Testament. Each time, it was a divine confirmation of Jesus’ identity and mission.
1. The Baptism of Jesus
📖 Matthew 3:16-17 (Also in Mark 1:9-11, Luke 3:21-22)
“And when Jesus was baptized, immediately He went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on Him; and behold, a voice from heaven said,
‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.'”
🔹 Who Heard It?
- John the Baptist
- Likely others who were present
🔹 Purpose
- Affirmation of Jesus as God’s Son
- Beginning of Jesus’ public ministry
2. The Transfiguration of Jesus
📖 Matthew 17:5 (Also in Mark 9:7, Luke 9:35)
“While He was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said,
‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him!'”
🔹 Who Heard It?
- Peter, James, and John (Jesus’ inner circle)
🔹 Purpose
- Confirmation that Jesus is the Son of God
- Instructed the disciples to listen to Jesus
- Moses and Elijah appeared, representing the Law and the Prophets, which Jesus fulfilled
3. Before Jesus’ Crucifixion (When He Prayed to the Father)
📖 John 12:28-30
Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.”
The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to Him.
Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine.”
🔹 Who Heard It?
- A crowd of people
🔹 Purpose
- A sign that Jesus’ mission was glorifying God
- Many people did not recognize the voice or thought it was thunder or an angel
Summary of When God the Father Spoke Audibly
| Event | Scripture Reference | Who Heard It? | Message |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jesus’ Baptism | Matthew 3:16-17 | John the Baptist, others | “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” |
| Transfiguration | Matthew 17:5 | Peter, James, John | “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him!” |
| Before Crucifixion | John 12:28-30 | A crowd | “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” |
Key Takeaways
✅ God audibly confirmed Jesus’ identity three times.
✅ People heard the voice, but some misunderstood it.
✅ Each time, the message emphasized Jesus as the Son of God and His mission.