Bible moment
The Bible moment
Matthew 3:13–17 tells how Jesus comes from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John the Baptist. John initially tries to prevent him, saying that he needs to be baptized by Jesus instead. Jesus answers that John should permit it because this is fitting to fulfill all righteousness, and John agrees. After Jesus rises from the water, the heavens open. The Spirit of God descends like a dove and comes to rest on Jesus. Then a voice from heaven says, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Matthew presents this as a peaceful moment of Jesus’ baptism, the Spirit’s descent, and God’s declaration concerning Jesus. The passage does not give an exact Jordan location or describe how the baptism was performed.
Look closely
What children can notice
Jesus stands beneath the opened heavens as the voice from heaven declares, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” The voice may be represented with simple rays or a speech banner from the sky, without depicting God the Father as a generic elderly man.
Talk together
Talk about it
- What did the voice from heaven say about Jesus?
- How can we respond when God calls us to obey?
For families, church, and class
Use this page
Use this page with Matthew 3:13–17 in family reading, Sunday school, church lessons, classrooms, or homeschool study. Invite children to notice the opened heavens, the Spirit descending like a dove, and the reassuring declaration. Keep discussion grounded in Matthew’s account.
Source note
From this passage
Matthew 3:17 · Jesus’ Baptism
Jesus stands beneath the opened heavens as the voice from heaven declares, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” The voice may be represented with simple rays or a speech banner from the sky, without depicting God the Father as a generic elderly man.
