3:17a
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 Berean Standard Bible omits this word.
Here are some ways to translate this word:
behold (English Standard Version)
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Suddenly
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⌊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
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⌊God⌋ spoke from heaven and said
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⌊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.
3:17b
This is My beloved Son: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible 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 (Good News Translation)
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This is my dearly-loved Son (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
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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 Child
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 Berean Standard Bible 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.
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in him I take great delight (NET Bible)
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he makes my heart glad
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