Definition: And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this passage from Matthew 3:16. It’s a really beautiful and symbolic description of Jesus’ baptism! Here's what it means in simpler terms: Basically, Jesus was baptized immediately after being born. Let's unpack that a little further: “And Jesus, when he was baptized…” – This tells us this is a significant moment in his life. He’d been raised and began to live among people. “…went up straightway out of the water:” - He left the pool of water right away. It's like stepping into a new world! “And, lo, the heavens were opened unto him…” – This is the really important part. The "heavens" are literally the sky. It’s like God was revealing something amazing to him. “…and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove:” - This is a powerful image! A dove is often associated with peace, hope, and the Holy Spirit. So, Jesus saw the Spirit of God descending upon him. What does this mean symbolically? The Bible describes this as a sign of Jesus’ divine nature. It means: Jesus was in a special, elevated state. He wasn't just standing in water; he was being touched by something more . He was receiving God’s presence and power. The opening of the heavens signifies that God is present with him and offering his grace. Why is this important? This event is considered one of the most significant in Christian history because it shows: 1. Jesus' divinity: He wasn’t just a human being; he was God made man. 2. God’s involvement in Jesus: The Spirit of God descends, signifying God’s favor and presence with him. In short, Matthew 3:16 describes a moment where Jesus experienced God’s grace and power as he entered into his baptism. --- Do you have any specific questions about this verse that I can help answer? For example, would you like to know: What the symbolism of the dove means? How does this relate to other parts of the Bible?