Definition: And there came a voice from heaven, [saying], Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this beautiful and significant verse from the Gospel of Mark! Here's an explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is all about God’s love and affection for Jesus Christ. It describes a moment when God speaks to Jesus and expresses His deep joy at having Him. Let’s look at it piece by piece: “And there came a voice from heaven…” – This suggests that the voice isn't coming from a human being, but from something outside of our world – the heavens, which are the realm of God. “[saying] Thou art my beloved Son…” – This is the key part! "Beloved Son" means God loves Jesus very much. It’s a strong expression of affection and admiration. “Son” refers to Jesus as the firstborn son of God. What does it mean in practice? “Well pleased”: This is a really important word. It means that God is happy and pleased with Jesus’s existence, his purpose, and everything He represents. It's a feeling of joy and contentment. Why is this verse significant? This verse is one of the most cherished in the Bible because it speaks to the very foundation of God’s love for humanity. It shows: God’s Unique Love: It highlights that God doesn’t just love people; He loves each person uniquely and deeply, just like He loved Jesus. Jesus as Divine: It reinforces the idea that Jesus is God's perfect Son – a special, divine being created in God’s image. In short, this verse tells us that God sees Jesus as incredibly important and loves him with all his heart. --- Do you want me to explain any of these parts further? For example, would you like me to: Explain the context of the verse within the larger story of Jesus’s life? Talk about its significance in Christian theology?