“As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. Suddenly the heavens were opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and resting on Him.”
Matthew 3:16
BSBGo deeper on this verse (2)
Connection with the dove after the flood
After Noah's flood, a dove came down over the water carrying the first sign of new life. Generations later a dove came down again, over the Jordan, as Jesus came up out of the water and the new creation began. The flood going down pointed ahead to a larger rescue: God remembering His people in His Son.
Read the whole studyConnection with Noah's dove
This scene echoes Noah's flood, where a dove flew over the floodwater and new life appeared on the far side. The same three elements line up here: the water, the dove over it, and new life.
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If God speaks to you through Matthew 3:16, record what He said in Doxa and come back to it.
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Cross-References
Spirit descending like a dove at baptism
“As soon as Jesus came up out of the water, He saw the heavens breaking open and the Spirit descending on Him like a dove.”
I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove — John's witness
“Then John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove and resting on Him.”
Jesus' baptism in Luke — Luke adds that Jesus was praying when heaven opened. Three perspectives on the same moment the Father spoke.
“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.””
Spirit of the Lord resting on him — Spirit descending like a dove
“The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD.”
Read next
How to Hear God’s Voice: A Practical Guide for BelieversScripture is the record of a God who speaks. This guide covers how to hear Him today and keep what He says.Engage with Matthew 3:16 in a fresh way
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