---
title: Matthew 3:17
url: https://jw-apologetics.app/verses/matthew-3-17/
markdown: https://jw-apologetics.app/verses/matthew-3-17.md
type: verse
perspective: Protestant (historic Nicene) response to Jehovah's Witness teaching
reference: Matthew 3:17
testament: NT
section: Gospels
index: https://jw-apologetics.app/llms.txt
---

# Matthew 3:17

## Text (Berean Standard Bible)

> And a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!”

## NWT Wording of the Key Phrase

- NWT (2013 revision): "Look! Also, a voice from the heavens said: 'This is my Son, the beloved, whom I have approved.'"

## JW Usage

The Watchtower reads the Father's voice from heaven as Jehovah's audible declaration of his approval of the Son's ministry. "This is my Son, the beloved, whom I have approved" is treated as vocational endorsement at the start of Jesus's earthly mission — Jehovah recognising and authorising his Messianic agent. The warm relational sense of the original (eudokēsa, "in whom I am well pleased") is read as approval of Jesus's role rather than as the eternal Father-Son affection.

## Protestant Usage

The Father's declaration at the baptism is one of the New Testament's strongest Trinitarian moments. Three persons named and present in one scene: the Son in the water (v. 16), the Spirit descending visibly, and the Father speaking from heaven. Pair with the parallel scene at the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:5, "this is my Son, the beloved, whom I have approved") where the same declaration is made for the disciples' benefit, and with Hebrews 1:5 (the Father has never said "you are my Son" to any angel). The relationship the Father declares is eternal — the Son is not awarded sonship at the baptism but publicly acknowledged as already the Son. Pair also with Melchizedek's priesthood (Hebrews 7:25) — Jesus's enduring high-priestly intercession depends on his continuing identity as the Son declared here.

## Arguments Using This Verse

- [Jesus Must Be a Man Now — The Melchizedek Priesthood](https://jw-apologetics.app/arguments/melchizedek-priesthood.md) — "He always lives to make intercession for them" (Hebrews 7:25) [Deity of Christ]
- [The Holy Spirit Is a Person, Not a Force](https://jw-apologetics.app/arguments/holy-spirit-personhood.md) — "He will guide you into all truth" (John 16:13) [Holy Spirit]