Mat 3:16 | RWP | e4.org | The Spirit of God descending as a dove ( πνευμα θεου καταβαινον ωσε περιστεραν ). It is not certain whether Matthew means that the Spirit of God took the form of a dove or came upon Jesus as a dove comes down. Either makes sense, but Luke ( ) has it "in bodily form as a dove" and that is probably the idea here. The dove in Christian art has been considered the symbol of the Holy Spirit.

‏ Matthew 3:16

The Spirit of God descending as a dove ( πνευμα θεου καταβαινον ωσε περιστεραν ). It is not certain whether Matthew means that the Spirit of God took the form of a dove or came upon Jesus as a dove comes down. Either makes sense, but Luke (Lu 3:22) has it "in bodily form as a dove" and that is probably the idea here. The dove in Christian art has been considered the symbol of the Holy Spirit.