Luke 3:22

in a bodily shape This addition is peculiar to St Luke, and is probably added to shew the distinctness and reality of what Theodoret calls the -spiritual vision" (πνευματικὴ θεωρία).

like a dove The expression ὡς or ὡσεὶ used by each of the Evangelists, and St John's "and it abode upon Him" (John 1:32), sufficiently prove that no actualdove is intended. The Holy Spirit is symbolised by a dove from early times. The Talmudic comment on Genesis 1:2 is that "the Spirit of God moved on the face of the waters like a dove"

"And with mighty wings outspread

Dovelikesat'st brooding on the vast abyss."

Milton (Par. Lost, i. 20).

Comp. 2Es 5:26, "of all the fowls that are created thou hast named thee one dove." Matthew 10:16. A mystical reason was assigned for this in some fathers, because the numerical value of the letters of the Greek word peristera, -a dove," amounts to 801, which is also the value of Alpha Omega. We are probably intended to understand a dovelike, hovering, lambent flame descending on the head of Jesus; and this may account for the unanimous early legend that a fire or light was kindled in Jordan (Just. Mart. c. Tryph.88, and the Apocryphal Gospels).

a voice came from heaven, which said Rather, out of heaven. The last words should be omitted with the best MSS. This Bath Kôlor Voice from heaven also occurred at the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:5) and in the closing week of Christ's life (John 12:28-30). This is one of the passages which so distinctly imply the doctrine of the Blessed Trinity.

I am well pleased Rather, I was well pleased.