In the Bible, God spoke audibly to Jesus on three occasions during His earthly ministry. These moments are significant and are often referred to as divine affirmations or moments of revelation. Here are the three instances where God speaks directly to Jesus:
1. At Jesus’ Baptism (Matthew 3:16-17, Mark 1:9-11, Luke 3:21-22):
- Context: Jesus is baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River.
- God’s Voice: As Jesus comes out of the water, the heavens open, and God’s voice is heard saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
- Significance: This is a public declaration of Jesus’ identity as the Son of God, affirming His mission and purpose. The Holy Spirit also descends upon Jesus in the form of a dove, further confirming the divine nature of this event.
2. At the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-5, Mark 9:2-7, Luke 9:28-35):
- Context: Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up to a mountain, where He is transfigured before them. His appearance becomes radiant, and He speaks with Moses and Elijah.
- God’s Voice: A voice from the cloud says, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear Him!”
- Significance: This is another affirmation of Jesus as God’s Son and is a pivotal moment of divine revelation. It also emphasizes the importance of listening to Jesus’ teachings.
3. Before Jesus’ Crucifixion (John 12:27-30):
- Context: As Jesus anticipates His impending death, He expresses His distress, asking God to glorify His name.
- God’s Voice: God’s voice comes from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.”
- Significance: This voice reaffirms that God’s plan through Jesus’ death and sacrifice is aligned with divine glory. Some people in the crowd heard the voice, and others thought it was thunder, but it was a clear affirmation of God’s will.
Conclusion:
God spoke audibly to Jesus three times in the New Testament: at His baptism, during the Transfiguration, and before His crucifixion. Each of these moments was significant in confirming Jesus’ identity and mission, and they were often accompanied by a manifestation of divine presence or glory.