Matthew 17:5

While Peter was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!”

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — God the Father speaks from a bright cloud to the disciples, interrupting Peter's unfinished suggestion to build three shelters. The moment is the Transfiguration, with Moses and Elijah present.

The words — ἐπεσκίασεν (epeskiasen), "overshadowed," is the same verb Luke uses for the Holy Spirit's descent on Mary (Luke 1:35); it conveys divine presence settling over a scene rather than merely covering it.

The thread — The declaration "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" repeats verbatim from the baptism (Matthew 3:17), and "Listen to Him" echoes Deuteronomy 18:15's command to heed the prophet like Moses.

Why it lands — The verse redirects attention from Peter's proposal of three equal shelters to a single command: attend to Jesus above the law and the prophets. It is not an invitation to linger in the experience but to obey a voice.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

Cross-references

Matthew 3:17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!”
Matthew 12:18 “Here is My Servant, whom I have chosen, My beloved, in whom My soul delights. I will put My Spirit on Him, and He will proclaim justice to the nations.
Deuteronomy 18:15 The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers. You must listen to him.
Mark 9:7 Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is My beloved Son. Listen to Him!”
Hebrews 2:1 We must pay closer attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.
Revelation 1:7 Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him—even those who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. So shall it be! Amen.
Mark 1:11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”
John 3:35 The Father loves the Son and has placed all things in His hands.
Luke 3:22 and the Holy Spirit descended on Him in a bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”
Luke 9:34 While Peter was speaking, a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud.