"And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." (Mark 1: 11)
Three verses report on what God said after Jesus' baptism: Matt. 3: 17, Luke 3: 22, and this verse in Mark. Only Matthew has God saying "this is" my beloved son. Mark and Luke both have "thou art."
What does the one word difference imply?
To me, the change seems to indicate a different intended audience. In Matthew, God is speaking to the people who are present, bearing testimony, as it were, of Jesus.
In Mark and Luke, however, the words are clearly intended for Jesus himself--as a reassurance, perhaps, that his course thus far has been pleasing in his Father's sight? As a revelation that his intimations that God is his father in perhaps more than the way in which God is the father of all human beings are correct?
Or did Jesus simply need to hear the voice of God in order to start his ministry? Did he need to hear directly in that moment: "you are ready"?
This is interesting, considering how the Father introduced the Son to Joseph Smith, Jr., in the sacred grove. God spoke: "This is my Beloved Son. Hear Him!" We can assume this statement is directed at Joseph and to those who read his history. At the commencement of the restoration of the Gospel, we need to recognize Christ and hear him. The Restoration is undoubtedly about knowing Christ and listening to His words. With all sincerity and respect, I'm not sure Christ's baptism is entirely about knowing Christ. Perhaps it is more about recognizing the beginning of His mission, His ministry, and knowing that our Father in Heaven is well pleased with Jesus Christ's choice to follow through with his calling. Maybe that is something we all need to remember from time to time.
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