Matthew 3 16

Matthew 3:16 kjv

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:

Matthew 3:16 nkjv

When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.

Matthew 3:16 niv

As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.

Matthew 3:16 esv

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;

Matthew 3:16 nlt

After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him.

Matthew 3 verses

Matthew 3 16 Meaning

Matthew 3:16 records a pivotal moment at Jesus' baptism. As Jesus emerges from the water, the heavens are opened, signifying a direct divine intervention and revelation. The Spirit of God is seen descending visibly upon Jesus in the manner of a dove and remaining on Him. This event marks the divine anointing and empowerment of Jesus for His earthly ministry, confirming His identity as the Christ and initiating the public manifestation of the Holy Trinity.

Matthew 3 16 Context

Matthew chapter 3 details John the Baptist's wilderness ministry, calling people to repentance and baptizing them in the Jordan River as preparation for the Messiah. Jesus' appearance for baptism initially leads to John's reluctance, but Jesus insists it is necessary "to fulfill all righteousness" (Matt 3:15). Verse 16 immediately follows this interaction, highlighting the divine affirmation of Jesus after His submission to baptism. This event marks the public inauguration of Jesus' ministry, His identification as the Messiah, and a unique manifestation of the Trinity at the very beginning of His active work on Earth, setting the stage for His subsequent temptations and ministry in Galilee.

Matthew 3 16 Word analysis

• As soon as Jesus was baptized: Emphasizes the immediate, divinely orchestrated sequence following Jesus' obedience to John's baptism. It highlights the completion of this prerequisite act.
• he went up out of the water: Signifies the conclusion of the baptismal act, transitioning from submission to active engagement with the subsequent divine manifestation.
• At that moment: The Greek term is idou (ἰδοὺ), which translates as "behold!" or "look!". This exclamation serves as a dramatic literary device, drawing the reader's immediate attention to a sudden, significant, and often miraculous event that is divinely initiated. It underscores the profound immediacy and impact of God's revelation.
• heaven was opened: The Greek word for "opened" is anoigō (ἀνοίγω), meaning to unbar, disclose, or open up. "Heaven" (ouranos, οὐρανός) refers to the divine abode and the sky. This phrase signifies a literal and metaphorical breaking through of the divine realm into the earthly. It marks a unique divine visitation and revelation, reversing the perceived prophetic silence and separation between God and humanity that had persisted since the Old Testament. This openness contrasts with the Jewish expectation of a hidden God or closed heavens (Isa 64:1), signaling a new era of direct divine communication.
• and he saw: Refers to Jesus Himself being the primary recipient of this sight, indicating a direct, personal experience for Him. While John also saw (Jn 1:32-34), the focus here is on Jesus' divine anointing.
• the Spirit of God: In Greek, Pneuma Theou (Πνεῦμα Θεοῦ). This clearly identifies the third person of the Trinity, distinct from the Son and soon to be distinct from the Father (Matt 3:17). The Holy Spirit is God Himself, the active agent in creation (Gen 1:2), inspiring prophets (2 Pet 1:21), and empowering for divine purposes (Isa 4:1-2). Its manifestation here is crucial for Jesus' Messianic identity and ministry.
• descending: The Greek katabainon (καταβαῖνον) signifies a movement from a higher place to a lower one, highlighting the divine condescension as the Spirit comes from heaven to alight on Jesus.
• like a dove: The Greek hōs peristera (ὡς περιστέρα). This is a simile, not a metamorphosis; the Spirit did not become a bird, but manifested in the manner of a dove's movement or appearance. The dove holds multi-layered symbolic significance:
  • Purity and Innocence: A common ancient and biblical symbol of purity (Matt 10:16).
  • New Creation/New Beginning: Echoes Noah's dove (Gen 8:8-12), bringing back an olive leaf, signaling the receding of the flood and the beginning of a new world. This points to Jesus ushering in a new covenant and a new creation.
  • Gentleness and Peace: Suggests the character of the Spirit, not a fierce or overwhelming power, but one of peace and meekness, appropriate for the Son who came as the Suffering Servant.
  • Symbolic Contrast: While doves could be offered as sacrifices by the poor (Lev 5:7), implying humility and substitution, their use also serves as a polemic against pagan spiritual concepts often linked with aggressive animals or deities. Here, the Spirit's manifestation is gentle, pure, and life-giving, directly connected to God's presence, not pagan fertility or cultic rituals.
• and alighting on him: The Greek ep' auton (ἐπ' αὐτόν) indicates the Spirit's descent was not momentary but with an intent to remain. John 1:33 specifies that the Spirit "remained" on Jesus, signifying a permanent indwelling and empowering for Jesus' unique Messianic ministry, differentiating Him from prophets whose anointing was temporary or for specific tasks.

• Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water: This phrase denotes the completion of the initiatory act for Jesus' public ministry and highlights His willing submission to "all righteousness," foreshadowing His obedience even unto death.
• At that moment heaven was opened: This group of words emphasizes divine action and revelation at a precise, crucial point. It signifies God breaking through into the human realm in a visible and powerful way to inaugurate a new phase in salvation history, establishing immediate contact with humanity through Christ.
• Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him: This climactic sequence uniquely identifies Jesus as the Messiah, empowered and indwelt by God's own Spirit. It reveals the active participation of the Holy Spirit in Jesus' anointing and hints at the permanent, peaceful, and life-giving nature of this divine presence for Jesus' mission.

Matthew 3 16 Bonus section

• The appearance of the Holy Spirit "like a dove" was observable and confirmable by John the Baptist (Jn 1:32), validating his witness concerning Jesus' identity as the Son of God. This counters any notion of a mere subjective vision.
• The event bridges the Old and New Testaments. The "heaven opened" recalls the Old Testament prophets' longing for God to "rend the heavens" (Isa 64:1). The descent of the Spirit fulfills prophetic expectations of the Messiah's anointing (Isa 11:2; 42:1; 61:1).
• This verse subtly reinforces the unity within diversity of the Trinity. The Spirit of God is a distinct person of the Godhead, manifesting uniquely while working in perfect harmony with the Son and the Father's spoken word.
• The Spirit's descent on Jesus is a foreshadowing of the New Covenant experience where believers, through Christ, will also receive the indwelling Spirit (Jn 14:17; Acts 2:38). Jesus receives the Spirit without measure (Jn 3:34) to pour out on His church.

Matthew 3 16 Commentary

Matthew 3:16 serves as a foundational theological text, encapsulating the public inauguration of Jesus' messianic mission and the dramatic display of the Holy Trinity. Jesus' baptism, His first public act, is immediately followed by divine validation: the Father speaks (in v.17), and the Spirit visibly descends upon Him. This anointing by the Spirit signifies Jesus' empowerment and readiness for His unique role as Messiah, Prophet, Priest, and King. The image of the Spirit as a dove conveys gentleness, purity, and a connection to themes of new creation, akin to the dove from Noah's ark. The opened heavens signify direct divine intervention, confirming God's presence and approval. This event sets the stage for all that follows in Jesus' ministry—His teaching, healing, exorcisms, and miracles, all performed through the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:38). It prefigures Pentecost, where the same Spirit would be poured out on all believers.