Luke 3:22

And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.

And {G2532} the Holy {G40} Ghost {G4151} descended {G2597} in a bodily {G4984} shape {G1491} like {G5616} a dove {G4058} upon {G1909} him {G846}, and {G2532} a voice {G5456} came {G1096} from {G1537} heaven {G3772}, which said {G3004}, Thou {G4771} art {G1488} my {G3450} beloved {G27} Son {G5207}; in {G1722} thee {G4671} I am well pleased {G2106}.

the Ruach HaKodesh came down on him in physical form like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, whom I love; I am well pleased with you."

and the Holy Spirit descended on Him in a bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”

and the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily form, as a dove, upon him, and a voice came out of heaven, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.

Luke 3:22 records a pivotal moment in the life of Jesus Christ: His baptism by John the Baptist and the immediate divine affirmation that followed. This verse is a profound revelation of the relationship between God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

Context

This verse immediately follows Jesus' baptism by John in the Jordan River. While John's baptism was for repentance and preparation for the Messiah (Luke 3:3), Jesus, being without sin, was baptized to identify with humanity and to fulfill all righteousness (Matthew 3:15). As Jesus came up from the water, the heavens opened, setting the stage for this miraculous declaration.

Key Themes

  • Divine Affirmation of Jesus' Sonship: The voice from heaven unequivocally declares, "Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased." This is God the Father publicly endorsing Jesus, affirming His unique identity and purpose. It highlights God's perfect delight in His Son, a theme echoed later at the Transfiguration.
  • The Manifestation of the Trinity: This event is one of the clearest biblical passages showcasing the three distinct persons of the Godhead acting in concert. We see: This Trinitarian revelation underscores the complex yet unified nature of God, a foundational doctrine for believers.
  • Empowerment for Ministry: The descent of the Holy Spirit upon Jesus signifies His anointing and empowerment for His public ministry. The Spirit's presence would guide, empower, and sustain Jesus throughout His earthly work, from resisting temptation to performing miracles and preaching the Kingdom of God.

Linguistic Insights

  • The phrase "my beloved Son" translates from the Greek agapetos huios (ἀγαπητός υἱός), emphasizing Jesus' unique and deeply cherished relationship with the Father. It's a term of endearment and singular affection.
  • "I am well pleased" comes from the Greek eudokeo (εὐδοκέω), which conveys a sense of divine favor, delight, and complete approval. It signifies God's absolute satisfaction with Jesus' obedience and readiness to fulfill His redemptive mission.

Practical Application

Luke 3:22 reminds us of several truths for our own lives:

  • God's Affirmation: Just as Jesus received divine affirmation, believers who are "in Christ" are also declared God's beloved children through adoption (Galatians 4:5). We are accepted and delighted in by God, not because of our works, but because of our relationship with His Son.
  • The Holy Spirit's Role: The Holy Spirit empowers believers for service and guides them in understanding God's will. We are called to live by the Spirit, allowing Him to transform us (Galatians 5:25).
  • Identification with Christ: Jesus' baptism was an act of identification. Similarly, Christian baptism symbolizes our identification with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, marking a new life in Him (Romans 6:4).

This powerful verse serves as a cornerstone for understanding Jesus' identity and the triune nature of God, setting the stage for the rest of the Gospel narrative.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 2:7

    ¶ I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou [art] my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

  • 2 Peter 1:17

    For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

  • 2 Peter 1:18

    And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.

  • Matthew 17:5

    While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

  • Luke 9:34

    While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.

  • Luke 9:35

    And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.

  • John 1:32

    And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.
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