Welcome to “Ehrman Errs,” a blog series devoted to using our conversational AI to refute each alleged biblical contradiction that is posed in the article on Bart Ehrman’s website: 50 Contradictions in the Bible: The Biggest, Most Shocking Differences.
Today’s alleged contradiction:
#13 – What Did the Voice at Jesus’ Baptism Say?
The accounts of Jesus’ baptism in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke reveal fascinating examples of discrepancy in the Bible regarding the words spoken by the divine voice from heaven. While all three narratives describe this pivotal event, the exact wording and audience of the voice differ, reflecting unique theological emphases and textual traditions.
In Matthew 3:17, the voice appears to address the gathered crowd, proclaiming: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
Bart Ehrman, in his book Jesus Interrupted (an excellent study of numerous contradictions in the Bible), notes: “The voice appears to be speaking to the people around Jesus, or possibly to John the Baptist, informing them who Jesus is.”
In Mark 1:11, however, the voice speaks directly to Jesus: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”Here, the statement is more intimate, suggesting a personal affirmation of Jesus’ identity and mission.Luke 3:22 presents an even more intriguing variation. In some of the oldest manuscripts, the voice says: “You are my Son; today I have begotten you.” This wording echoes Psalm 2:7 and carries significant theological implications, suggesting a moment of divine appointment or recognition of Jesus’ sonship at his baptism.
How Does Ehrman Err?
Bart Ehrman’s observation about the differences in the Gospel accounts of the voice at Jesus’ baptism is a common point of discussion in biblical scholarship. Let’s address this step by step, considering the historical-grammatical context, the nature of eyewitness testimony, and the theological significance, all while grounding the answer in Scripture.
1. What Do the Texts Actually Say?
- Matthew 3:17 (ESV): “And behold, a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.’”
- Mark 1:11 (ESV): “And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.’”
- Luke 3:22 (ESV): “…and a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.’”
(Note: Most manuscripts of Luke’s Gospel match Mark’s wording. The variant “today I have begotten you” is found in a minority of manuscripts and is not the reading in most modern translations.)
2. Are These Contradictions?
A. Perspective and Audience
The difference between “This is my beloved Son” (Matthew) and “You are my beloved Son” (Mark and Luke) is a difference in perspective, not substance. Matthew’s account is written with an emphasis on public proclamation—God declaring Jesus’ identity to the crowd (or John the Baptist). Mark and Luke focus on the personal affirmation to Jesus Himself.
This is a common phenomenon in eyewitness testimony. Different witnesses may report the same event from slightly different angles, emphasizing what stood out to them or their audience. The core message—Jesus is God’s beloved Son, pleasing to the Father—is consistent in all three accounts.
B. Theological Emphasis
Each Gospel writer had a unique audience and theological emphasis:
- Matthew often highlights fulfillment of prophecy and Jesus’ public identity as Messiah.
- Mark emphasizes the personal relationship between Jesus and the Father.
- Luke stresses the Spirit’s role and Jesus’ divine sonship.
The slight variation in wording serves these emphases but does not create a contradiction in the message.
C. The “Begotten” Variant in Luke
The phrase “today I have begotten you” in some manuscripts of Luke 3:22 is a textual variant. Most textual scholars agree that the original wording matches Mark’s (“with you I am well pleased”). The variant likely arose from early scribes harmonizing the text with Psalm 2:7, which was often applied to Jesus in the early church (see Acts 13:33).
3. Scriptural and Theological Consistency
The Bible often presents events from multiple perspectives to give a fuller picture. This is not a contradiction but a richness of testimony. Consider:
- Deuteronomy 19:15: “A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.”
- John 5:37: “And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me.”
- 2 Peter 1:17: “For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,’ we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.”
Peter, an eyewitness, affirms the substance of the heavenly voice, showing that the early church understood these accounts as harmonious.
4. Why the Differences Matter
Rather than undermining the reliability of the Gospels, these differences show the authenticity of independent witnesses. If all accounts were verbatim identical, critics would accuse the writers of collusion. Instead, the variations reflect genuine, complementary perspectives.
5. Conclusion
The differences in wording at Jesus’ baptism are not contradictions but complementary perspectives that together affirm the central truth: Jesus is the beloved Son of God, pleasing to the Father. The core message is consistent, and the minor variations enrich our understanding rather than detract from it.
In summary:
- The Gospels agree on the essential message: Jesus is God’s beloved Son.
- The differences reflect perspective and emphasis, not contradiction.
- The textual variant in Luke is well understood and does not alter the core message.
- Multiple perspectives are a hallmark of authentic eyewitness testimony.
Scripture affirms:
“For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,’ we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.” (2 Peter 1:17–18)
“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17)
“You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” (Mark 1:11; Luke 3:22)