Note Matthew’s record of the baptism of Jesus:
Matthew 3:16-17 (NKJV)
16 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. 17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “THIS IS MY BELOVED SON, in whom I am well pleased.”
When Mark would record this, he writes something different:
Mark 1:11 (NKJV)
11 Then a voice came from heaven, “YOU ARE MY BELOVED SON, in whom I am well pleased.”
So Mark’s notes appears to differ from Matthew’s. Luke’s as well:
Luke 3:22 (NKJV)
22 And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, “YOU are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”
Matthew writes “THIS is My beloved Son”
Mark and Luke write “YOU are my beloved Son”
Who then is correct? ALL the writers are! This can be easily resolved upon realization of the fact that the Voice from Heaven spoke twice! First to Jesus, “YOU are my Beloved Son.” Then to the audience, “THIS is my Beloved Son.” Matthew’s account records what the Voice said to THE AUDIENCE, while Mark’s account as well as Luke’s documents what was said to Jesus.
Remember, each writer had his own emphasis as he wrote. Because Matthew is trying to convince the Jews to believe in Jesus, he uses “this.” That is, he addresses the audience in his notes. He is pointing their attention to Jesus. Thus, ALL accounts are accurate. Matthew simply addressed the audience, while the others quoted what the Voice said to Jesus.
© Josh Banks Ministries. 2021.
