Luke 3:22

Thou art my beloved Son;— See on Matthew 3:17. The epithet beloved given to the Son on this occasion, marks the greatness of the Father's affection for him, and distinguishes him from all others to whom the title of God's Son had been given. Accordingly we find our Lord alluding to it with peculiar pleasure, in his intercessory prayer, John 17:26. It was therefore the voice of God the Father which was heard at Christ's baptism; probably loud like thunder, as in the instance recorded by John 12:29 making a sound which no human organ of speech was able to form, and consequently it could not be mistaken for the whispering voice of any of the multitude present, see Proverbs 8:30 to which it is thought the voices allude. The Son of God was one of the Messiah's known titles, founded on Psalms 2:7. Isaiah 7:14 where it is expressly attributed to him; and therefore, according to the received language of the Jews, Jesus was on this occasion declared from heaven to be their long expected Deliverer, and his mission received a most illustrious confirmation from the Father Almighty; a confirmation, on which Jesus laid great stress, as absolutely decisive, John 5:37. For, lest the people might have applied the words of the voice to the Baptist, the Holy Spirit alighted upon Jesus, and remained visible for some time in that singular symbol, see John 1:33 which probably surrounded his head in the form of a large glory, and pointed him out as God's beloved Son, in whom the richest gifts and graces resided. Thus all present had an opportunity to hear and see the miraculous testimony; particularly the Baptist, who, as soon as he beheld the Spirit remaining upon Jesus, is supposed to have made use of the words, This is he of whom I spake, &c. John 1:15. The descent of the Spirit on Jesus was predicted Isaiah 42:1; Isaiah 61:1. In like manner, the voice from heaven is supposed to be predicted Psalms 2:7.