Matthew 3:16

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

After Jesus was immersed [by John], He came up out of the water and heaven was opened up before Him and He saw the Holy Spirit from God descending, as a dove, and landing upon Him.

Cross References

Mark 1:10

And immediately upon emerging from the water, He saw the sky split open and the Holy Spirit descending on Him as a dove.

Acts 7:56

He said, “Look, I see heaven opened up and the Son of man standing at the right side of God.”

John 3:34

For the One whom God has sent [i.e., Jesus] speaks the words of God, for He [i.e., God] does not give the Holy Spirit in a limited quantity [i.e., to Jesus. See next verse].

John 1:51

Then Jesus said to him, “Truly, truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened up and the angels of God going up [from] and coming down on the Son of man” [i.e., probably a reference to angels ministering to Jesus’ needs. See Matt. 4:6, 11; Luke 22:43].

Acts 1:22

from His immersion by John [the Immerser] until He was received up from us [in a cloud]. Of these people [we must choose] someone to become a witness with us [i.e., to tell people] of Jesus' resurrection [from the dead].”

1 John 5:6

This Jesus is the one whose coming [to earth was introduced] by water [at His immersion. See Matt. 3:13] and [completed] by blood [at His crucifixion, John 19:17-37]. He did not come by the water only, but by the water and by the blood. And it is the Holy Spirit who gives testimony [at both of these events], because the Holy Spirit is [always] the truth. [See John 16:13].