It is God the Father who says, this is (mou) my beloved Son,
as in Psalm 2:7, which speaks of the Messianic king; and Jesus as beloved Son is the eternal, only-begotten Son of God (see Genesis 22:2, Genesis 22:12, Genesis 22:16), who is one with the Father. This shows the unique relationship between Jesus and the Father. The heavenly voice expressly identifies Jesus as the promised Son of God, the King of Zion, God’s holy hill.
None of the others baptized by John were addressed by God with his good pleasure. As God’s Son, Jesus, who willingly humbles himself by and for sinners, thus fulfills all the righteousness of God’s kingdom.
This is God the Father’s voice. The phrase this is my beloved Son
reminds us of Psalm 2:7, where the text speaks of the Messianic king, and Jesus as beloved Son is the only-begotten Son of God (see Genesis 22:2, Genesis 22:12, Genesis 22:16). This testifies to the unique relationship between Jesus and the Father.1 The heavenly voice expressly identifies Jesus as the promised Son of God, the King of Zion, God’s holy mountain. None of the other people whom John had baptized were expressly addressed by God with his good pleasure. Jesus, who willingly takes upon himself the humiliation by and for sinners, as God’s Son in Israel, thereby fulfills all the righteousness of God’s kingdom on earth.2
By referring to Jesus as my (mou) beloved Son
with his own divine voice from heaven, he indicates that Jesus is the only natural and eternal Son of God who is One with the Father.3
17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”