The voice of God had been heard at the baptism of Jesus at the beginning of His ministry, and again at His transfiguration on the mount. Now at the close of His ministry it was heard for the third time, by a larger number of persons, and under peculiar circumstances. Jesus had just spoken the most solemn truth regarding the condition of the Jews. He had made His last appeal, and pronounced their doom. Now God again set His seal to the mission of His Son. He recognized the One whom Israel had rejected. "This voice came not because of Me," said Jesus, "but for your sakes." It was the crowning evidence of His Messiahship, the signal from the Father that Jesus had spoken the truth, and was the Son of God.

Guds røst havde lydt ved Jesu dåb ved begyndelsen af hans virksomhed, og atter ved forklarelsen på bjerget. Nu ved afslutningen af hans gerning lød den for tredje gang og blev hørt af mange mennesker og under særlige omstændigheder. Jesus havde netop udtalt de mest højtidelige sandheder med hensyn til jødefolkets tilstand. Han havde rettet sin sidste appel til dem og fældet dommen over dem. Nu satte han atter sit segl på sin Søns kald. Han anerkendte ham, som Israels forløser. "Ikke for min skyld lød denne røst," sagde Jesus, "men for jeres skyld." Dette var det højeste bevis for, at han var Messias: Faderens bekræftelse på, at Jesus havde talt sandhed og var Guds Søn.