Biblical Symbols

BIBLICAL SYMBOLS

Dove Symbolism in the Bible - PEACE

Quote #1:

Matthew 3:16: “As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.”

This quote is used when Jesus is being baptized by John the Baptist. John can’t believe that Jesus came to him to be baptized and when he comes out of the water, the sky opens and a voice says “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” The symbol of the dove is important because it describes the way the sky opened up when Jesus came up from the water. A dove is universally known as a symbol of peace in a time of chaos, like in Noah’s Ark. The sky opening and Jesus rising up would have sparked the image of a dove because Jesus taught Christianity in times of sin and corruption, he was the peace in that chaos. The dove symbolizes the Spirit of God because it represents salvation and the Holy Spirit.

Quote #2:

Mark 1:10: “Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.”

As in the previous quote, a baptism is occurring and John is baptizing Jesus. The heavens open up and the Holy Spirit descends in the form of a dove. The dove represents the spirit and holiness of God that Jesus possesses.

Quote #3:

Luke 3:22: “and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

This quote also refers to the baptism of Jesus by John. In Luke, we find out that John and Jesus were cousins and that while they were still babies, God visited the earth and informed their parents that the two would change the history of Israel. In this quote, the dove represents the spirit of God descending from the heavens during the baptism, a symbol of peace and godliness. One explanation for why the baptism is referenced so many times is because it...