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OET (OET-LV) And see, a_voice out_of of_the heavens saying:
This is the son of_me, the beloved in whom I_took_pleasure.
OET (OET-RV) Then, wow, a voice came from the sky and said, “This is my son that I love and I’m pleased with.”
In this section, Jesus came to John the Baptist and asked John to baptize him. John thought that the man who was greater (Jesus) should baptize the man who was not as great (John). This is why John at first did not think that it was right for him to baptize Jesus. But Jesus said that it was the right thing at that time. So John agreed to do it.
Here are some other possible headings for this section:
The Baptism of Jesus (NIV)
Jesus is Baptized by John (NCV)
John baptizes Jesus (GW)
There are parallel passages for this section in Mark 1:9–11 and Luke 3:21–22.
And a voice from heaven said,
Then suddenly a voice spoke from heaven; it said:
Also unexpectedly, God spoke from heaven. He said:
The Greek of 3:17a begins with a word that is often translated as “behold.” It is the same Greek word that occurs in 3:16b. This word indicates another unexpected and extraordinary event: a voice from heaven spoke. The BSB omits this word.
Here are some ways to translate this word:
behold (ESV)
Suddenly
And just as unexpectedly
In some languages, it is not necessary to translate this word.
a voice from heaven said: The word voice is used figuratively here. It stands for the words that were spoken or the person who spoke the words. In this case, the voice was the voice of God. God spoke from heaven. The words that follow in 3:17b are what God said about Jesus.
Here are some other ways to translate this clause:
Someone spoke from heaven and said
God spoke from heaven and said
God who was in heaven spoke. He said
heaven: Here the word heaven refers to the place where God lives. See how you translated this word in 3:2.
“This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!”
“This is my dearly loved Son. I am very pleased with him.”
“This person is my Son. I love him and am very happy with him.”
This is My beloved Son: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as This is My beloved Son is literally “This is my son the beloved.” The words “the beloved” indicate here that Jesus was God the Father’s one and only dear son. This phrase does not imply that God has other sons whom he did not love.
Here are some other ways to translate this clause:
This is my own dear Son (GNT)
This is my dearly-loved Son (JBP)
This person is my son. I love him.
My…Son: The phrase My…Son describes the relationship that Jesus had with God the Father. “The Son of God” or “God’s Son” is a title that was often used to refer to a savior who would be a descendant of King David. God would send this savior to rescue his people. This person was often referred to as the “Messiah” or “Christ.”
The title “the Son of God” also indicates that Jesus has the same nature and character as God. The relationship between God the Father and Jesus, his Son, is similar in some way to the relationship between human fathers and sons. God the Father does not have a physical body. He did not have a sexual relationship with Mary that resulted in her becoming pregnant and giving birth to Jesus. The Son of God existed eternally as the Son with his Father.
In areas where people do not understand the title “the Son of God” in this way, you may want to include a footnote that explains the correct meaning. Here is a suggested footnote:
This title refers to Jesus. It indicates that Jesus has the same nature and character as God. It does not mean that God the Father had a sexual relationship with Mary that resulted in her becoming pregnant and giving birth to Jesus. Mary became pregnant with Jesus in a miraculous way by the Holy Spirit of God.
In some languages, it is natural to speak of a son as a “child,” without specifying male or female. If that is true in your language, you may use a more general term, such as:
my ChildA translation of the title “the Son of God” must include a familial term such as “son” or “child.” Translations such as “the man who is God,” “the divine man,” or “the God man” are not acceptable, since they do not retain familial language. Examples of acceptable translation options include “the Son who comes from God,” and “the divine/unique/eternal Son of God.”
Other verses will usually make clear that Jesus was a male child. If you use a phrase such as “my male child,” be sure that it does not imply that God had another child who was female.
in whom I am well pleased!: The Greek verb that the BSB translates as I am well pleased means, “I am delighted” or “I am very pleased/satisfied.” Here are some other ways to translate this clause:
He makes me very happy/pleased.
in him I take great delight (NET)
he makes my heart glad
Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor
ἰδοὺ
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Καί ἰδού φωνή ἐκ τῶν οὐρανῶν λέγουσα Οὗτος ἐστίν ὁ Υἱός μού ὁ ἀγαπητός ἐν ᾧ εὐδόκησα)
The word behold draws the attention of the audience and asks them to listen carefully. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express behold with a word or phrase that asks the audience to listen, or you could draw the audience’s attention in another way. Alternate translation: [listen] or [suddenly]
Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / ellipsis
φωνὴ ἐκ τῶν οὐρανῶν
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Καί ἰδού φωνή ἐκ τῶν οὐρανῶν λέγουσα Οὗτος ἐστίν ὁ Υἱός μού ὁ ἀγαπητός ἐν ᾧ εὐδόκησα)
Matthew is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You could supply a verb of speaking if it would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: [a voice spoke from the heavens]
Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / synecdoche
φωνὴ
(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Καί ἰδού φωνή ἐκ τῶν οὐρανῶν λέγουσα Οὗτος ἐστίν ὁ Υἱός μού ὁ ἀγαπητός ἐν ᾧ εὐδόκησα)
Matthew is using voice to represent the person who is speaking, which is God the Father. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression from your culture or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [a person speaking] or [God the Father spoke]
Note 4 topic: writing-quotations
λέγουσα
saying
Consider natural ways of introducing direct quotations in your language. Alternate translation: [and it said]
Note 5 topic: guidelines-sonofgodprinciples
ὁ Υἱός μου, ὁ ἀγαπητός
the Son the (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Καί ἰδού φωνή ἐκ τῶν οὐρανῶν λέγουσα Οὗτος ἐστίν ὁ Υἱός μού ὁ ἀγαπητός ἐν ᾧ εὐδόκησα)
The word Son is an important title for Jesus, the Son of God.
Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive
ὁ Υἱός & ὁ ἀγαπητός
the Son & the beloved
If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [my Son, whom I love,]
Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive
εὐδόκησα
˱I˲_took_pleasure
If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [who pleases me]
3:17 my dearly loved Son (see Ps 2:7): The title “Son of God” reveals and clarifies Jesus’ nature and role (see Matt 4:3, 6; 14:33; 16:16; 17:5; 26:63; 27:54; 28:19). In his unique relationship to the Father, Jesus accomplishes salvation as the trusting and obedient Son.
• who brings me great joy: God the Father confirmed his Son’s ministry with language from Isaiah (Isa 42:1) and so prepared Israel for his ministry.
OET (OET-LV) And see, a_voice out_of of_the heavens saying:
This is the son of_me, the beloved in whom I_took_pleasure.
OET (OET-RV) Then, wow, a voice came from the sky and said, “This is my son that I love and I’m pleased with.”
Note: The OET-RV is still only a first draft, and so far only a few words have been (mostly automatically) matched to the Hebrew or Greek words that they’re translated from.
Acknowledgements: The SR Greek text, lemmas, morphology, and VLT gloss are all thanks to the CNTR.
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