“My Beloved Son” is a name of Jesus (Yeshua‘) that was spoken twice by His heavenly Father: at Jesus’ baptism and again at the Transfiguration. “My Beloved Son” comes from a combined quotation of Psalm 2:7 and Isaiah 42:1.
I will surely tell of the decree of the Lord
He said to Me, “You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.” (Psalm 2:7)
Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold;
My chosen one in whom My soul delights.
I have put My Spirit upon Him;
He will bring forth justice to the nations. (Isaiah 42:1)
These two passages contain several messianic statements. Psalm 2 probably began as a psalm about a king of Israel. King David was called God’s son and later kings were too. “Son of God” became a name for the Messiah (Christ). Isaiah 42 is the beginning of the passages in Isaiah that talk about God’s suffering servant. In Isaiah, God said that He had chosen His servant. “My Chosen one” is another messianic name of Jesus found in the best manuscripts of Luke 9:35, which is the account of the Transfiguration.
From the start, Jesus knew His destiny as “Beloved Son” was a double one: suffering as a servant and reigning as a King.
The word agapētos describes something to be truly grateful for, something beautiful and desirable. It has the connotation of being precious because of being the only one. In Genesis 22 Isaac was the only (yakhid in Hebrew) true son of God’s promise to Abraham. The Greek translation of Genesis 22 uses agapētos (Gen. 22:2, 12, 16). This name of Jesus carries a deeper meaning: not only did God love Jesus deeply because He was His only Son, He must have loved us deeply to choose to give up Jesus for us.
“You are My Beloved Son” in the Greek text of Luke 3:22
My Beloved Son in Greek:
Ho hyios mou ho agapētos
Strong’s Concordance numbers: 5207, 27
Bible references: Matt. 3:17; 17:5; Mark 1:11; 9:7; 12:6; Luke 3:22; 9:35 (in some manuscripts and in the KJV); 2 Pet. 1:17
Similar names of Jesus are “Beloved” and “Son of His love.” Isaiah used two pet names for God: my Beloved and my Well-beloved.
