What is Jesus’ most significant claim to be God?

What is Jesus’ most significant claim to be God?

What is Jesus’ most significant claim to be God?

Last Updated

April 12, 2021

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The most significant evidence of Jesus claiming Divinity is provided in the Gospel of Mark.

Towards the end of the gospel in chapter 14, we find Jesus standing on trial before His crucifixion, where He answered the High Priests question, “who are you?”

Mark 14:61-62 (NIV)
 
61. But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer.  Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”
62. I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

For those of us in the 21st century, these statements by Jesus might make us scratch our heads in confusion, but the high priests very well understood His message.

In these verses, Jesus refers to Himself as the God revealed in the Old Testament,  specifically Daniel Chapter 7, where the prophet Daniel sees the Ancient of Days being worshiped by angels.

Daniel 7:13-14 (NIV)

13. “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven.

He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence.

14. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped Him.

His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

A few pointers to note here:

  • The Bible makes references to the one who comes with the clouds of Heaven as the God Yahweh. 
  • He looked like the Son of Man / having human form. 
  • This Son of Man also approached the Ancient of Days, who is God Himself.
  • This person was given all Glory, Authority, and Sovereign power (the same glory due to God).
  • Every nation and language will worship this person. 

When Jesus uses the phrase ‘Son of Man,’ He is confirming that He is the same man identified in Daniel Chapter 7. 

Some people confuse the phrase ‘Son of Man’ by saying it is only the human title of Jesus, whereas ‘Son of God’ is His divine title. However, this is quite the opposite.  Many ‘Sons of God’ were mentioned in the Bible, such as Adam and Moses, but there was only one divine Son of Man referenced in the Old Testament, and Jesus claimed to be that one.

This is also evidenced by the high priests’ reaction, who were eager to stone Him for this statement because they knew He was claiming divinity.

    Lastly, no other prophets had ever made claims to sit at the right hand of God, which meant to rule the universe with God having the same level of authority. 

    In the Old Testament, Moses stood with God, Enoch stood with God, and Adam walked with God, but no one is ever depicted to be sitting with God.

    Jesus claimed to be God and is right now seated at the Father’s right hand with sovereign power, glory, and authority.

    This God now invites you and me for an opportunity to be seated at His table. All he asks is for us to believe and put our trust in Him.

    THE SON OF MAN WILL BE GIVEN ALL GLORY, AUTHORITY, AND SOVEREIGN POWER

    Daniel 7:14 (NIV)

    SEE SIMILAR QUESTIONS

    What is the symbolism of the curtain being torn when Jesus was crucified?

    When the gospel records the curtain being torn after Jesus crucifixion, it resembled that access for all to enter into the Holy of Holies was now open so that everyone could experience God’s presence.

    Command not to tell of the miracles

    Why did Jesus command not to tell others of the miracles He performed?

    We see this across various scriptures where Jesus would heal someone and later command them not to tell anyone of the miracles He had performed.

    Could Jesus have sinned?

    Could Jesus have sinned?

    Christians believe Jesus had the attributes of both Man and God during His time here on earth. He was 100% man and 100% God.

    Why is Jesus called the Son of God?

    In the new testament, Jesus is often referred to as the Son of God. However, on a reading of scripture, you may also notice that many other people are called Sons of God.

    jesus a created being

    Is Jesus a created being?

    The brief answer is that Jesus is not created being, but He existed from eternity along with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit.

    Jesus the passover lamb

    What does it mean that Jesus is the passover lamb?

    Jesus is the lamb that was offered up for our sins once and for all. He was blameless without blemish and, He finished the work on the cross so that we could be covered by God’s grace and mercy.

    jesus baptism

    Why did Jesus take Baptism?

    John’s baptism was a call to repentance for all people; however, Jesus did not perform this act for the repentance of sins because He never sinned.

    Jesus grew in wisdom?

    Jesus grew in wisdom.

    So how can this be possible? Was not Jesus God? If so, how could He have ‘grown’ in wisdom? Does God not already know everything?

    God and man

    How can Jesus be both God and Man?

    We would have heard of this statement in Church that while on earth “Jesus was 100% man and 100% God.” But what does this mean?

    Six common arguments against the resurrection refuted

    This post presents SIX common arguments that are used by skeptics to falsify the resurrection event of Jesus. Each off them can be refuted easily.

    Resurrection Risen Love

    What is the Evidence for the Resurrection?

    The Bible gives a reliable assurance that Jesus did exist, was crucified and people around Him saw Him resurrected after His crucifixion.

    Jesus way heaven only

    Is Jesus the only way to Heaven?

    Christians are often tagged as being selfless about their faith. However, Jesus claimed to be the Only way to the father.

    Jesus is god

    What is Jesus’ most significant claim to be God?

    If you are just looking for one claim made by Jesus about his Divinity look no further than his statement in the gospel of Mark chapter 14

    Jesus God sins Cross

    Is Jesus God?

    Christians believe that Jesus is God. We believe this because we see the claims made by Jesus and His followers recorded in the Bible.

    Is Jesus God?

    Is Jesus God?

    Is Jesus God?

    Last Updated

    Aug 23, 2021

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    The deity of Jesus is one of the most important question on this website, and every believer should have a biblical answer to this question. 

    Why is that? 

    Because there is more confusion around the person of Jesus Christ than any other human figure in history, while most people will readily accept that Jesus was once a man, many will rage at the claim that He was more than a man.

    It is worth noting that a compelling argument is made stating that Jesus never mentioned, nor does the Bible document Him saying, “I am God worship me.”

    Although Jesus does not explicitly use those words, we do have several statements in the Bible that would imply the characteristics of Jesus’s claims of deity.

    CLAIMS & ACTIONS OF JESUS 

    Jesus claimed to be eternal Yahweh

    John 8:58 (NIV)

    58 “Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!”

    Jesus claimed equality with God

    John 10:30 (NIV)

    30 I and the Father are one.”

    Jesus openly accepted worship

    Matthew 8:2 (NIV)

    2 A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”

    John 9:38 (NIV) (the man who was born blind)

    38 Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.

    Jesus openly forgave sin

    John 8:11 (NIV) – (Jesus and the prostitute)

    11 “No one, sir,” she said.

    “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

    Matthew 9:2 (NIV) – (Paralyzed man)

    Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”

    Jesus expected the disciples to pray in his name

    John 14:13-14 (NIV)

    13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

    14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

    A further list of claims by Jesus is included at the end of this page for your reference. 

    Furthermore, in John Chapter 5:17–24, Jesus makes five distinct claims of being equal with God. He is equal with the Father in His person, in His sovereign power, in His works, in His judgment, and in the honor that is due to Him.

    John 5:17-24 (NKJV)

    17. But Jesus answered them, “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.”

    18. Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Fathermaking Himself equal with God.

    19. Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.

    20. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel.

    21. For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will.

    22. For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son,

    23. that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.

    24. “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.

    CLAIMS OF JESUS FOLLOWERS 

    Moreover, we also see statements made by Jesus’ close disciples.

    Although initially, it took them a while, they eventually recognized that behind the cover of His humanity abided the Glory of His Divinity.

    Thomas called Jesus God

    John 20:28 (NIV)

    28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

    John opens his book by calling Jesus God

    John 1:1 (NIV)

    In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

    John 1:14 (NIV)

    14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

    Mathew refers to Jesus as Immanuel in his book

    Matthew 1:23 (NIV)

    23 The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel (which means “God with us”).

    Even from a historical study, the early Church refuted claims that reduced Jesus to being merely a man and warmly welcomed Jesus as God. 

    The Chalcedonian Creed, written in 451 AD (statement of the early Church), asserts that Jesus is indeed God and Truly Man. 

    These clear statements from the Bible are sufficient for anyone to recognize that Jesus was more than a just man and was God revealing Himself in human flesh.  

    In fact there are only three possible explanations for the claims that Jesus made. Either he was crazy, a deceiver or exactly who He claimed to be. He could not have possibly been merely a good moral teacher for such people do not make the kind of claims that Jesus had made – as C. S. Lewis notes,

    ”A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic—on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg—or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronising nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.”

    Below are a few more relevant extracts/statements that support Jesus’ claims for divinity;

    Additional references with Bible Verses where Jesus claimed:

      • To be the eternal Yahweh (John 8:58)
      • To have equality with God that no other prophet had claimed (John 10:30)
      • To be able to forgive sin (John 8:11; Mathew 9:2)
      • To be the Lord of Sabbath (Mark 2:28)
      • To have the authority to answer prayers (John 13:13-14)
      • To be the Apocalyptic ‘Son of Man’ (Mark 14:62; Daniel 7:13-14)
      • To be the Lord of King David (Mathew 22:41-45)
      • To be the Greater than the temple of God (Mathew 12:6)
      • to be the supreme judge who will one day return in glory (Matt. 16:27; 24:30; Acts 1:11; 2 Thess. 1:7)
      • To be wherever his followers are gathered (Mathew 18:20)
      • To be with his followers forever (Mathew 28:20)
      • To be eternal (Micah 5:2; Isaiah 9:6)
      • to have come down from heaven (John 3:13; 6:38, 62; 8:23)
      • to have been sent into the world by the Father (Matt. 10:40; Mark 9:37; Luke 10:16; John 3:17; 4:34; 5:23–24, 30, 36–38; 6:29, 39, 44, 46, 57; 7:16, 18, 28–29, 33; 8:16, 18, 26, 29, 42; 9:4; 10:36; 11:42; 12:44–45, 49; 13:20; 14:24; 15:21; 16:5; 17:3, 8, 18, 21, 23, 25; 20:21)
      • to be the Savior of the world (Matt. 20:28; Luke 9:56; 19:10; John 3:17; 12:47; cf. 1:29; 4:42; Matt. 1:21; 1 John 4:14)
      • to be the determiner of people’s eternal destinies (Matt. 16:27; 25:31–46; John 5:22, 27, 30; cf. Luke 12:8–9; John 8:24)
      • to be the source of eternal life (Mark 10:29–30; John 3:16; 4:14; 5:39–40; 6:27, 40, 47, 54; 10:28; 11:25; 14:6; 17:2)
      • to be the only way to God (John 14:6; cf. Acts 4:12)
      • to have the right to be honored on an equal basis with the Father (John 5:23; cf. Matt. 21:15–16)
      • to be one with the Father (John 10:30; cf. 1:1; 12:45; 14:9; 17:21
      • to have the power to raise the dead (John 5:28–29; 6:39–40, 44, 54) and even rise from the dead Himself (Matt. 16:21; 17:9, 22–23; 20:17–19; 26:32; 27:63; Luke 24:6–7; John 2:19–22)
      • to be the One to whom the Old Testament Scriptures pointed (John 5:39, 46; cf. Matt. 5:17; Luke 24:27, 44)
      • to be without sin (John 8:46; cf. 2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 4:15; 1 Peter 2:22)
      • to have all authority in heaven and on earth (Matt. 11:27; 28:18; John 17:2; cf. John 3:35; 13:3; 1 Cor. 15:27; Heb. 1:2)
      • to be greater than the temple (Matt. 12:6), Jonah (12:41), Solomon (12:42), Jacob (John 4:12–14), and Abraham (8:51–58)
      • to be the Bread of Life, the only source of spiritual sustenance (John 6:33, 35, 48, 51)
      • to be the Light of the World (John 3:19; 8:12; 9:5; 12:35–36, 46; cf. 1:4–5, 7–9)
      • to be the resurrection and the life (John 11:25)
      • to be the Messiah (Matt. 16:20; 26:63–64; John 4:25–26; cf. 1:41)
      • To be omnipresent – ever present (Matthew 18:20; 28:20)
      • To be omniscient – all knowing (Mathew 11:27; John 16:30; 21:17)
      • To be omnipotent – all powerful (Phillipians 3:21)

    It is evident that by just reading the gospel accounts in the New Testament - you cannot come to any other conclusion that jesus is god incarnate revealed in the flesh.

    SEE SIMILAR QUESTIONS

    What is the symbolism of the curtain being torn when Jesus was crucified?

    When the gospel records the curtain being torn after Jesus crucifixion, it resembled that access for all to enter into the Holy of Holies was now open so that everyone could experience God’s presence.

    Command not to tell of the miracles

    Why did Jesus command not to tell others of the miracles He performed?

    We see this across various scriptures where Jesus would heal someone and later command them not to tell anyone of the miracles He had performed.

    Could Jesus have sinned?

    Could Jesus have sinned?

    Christians believe Jesus had the attributes of both Man and God during His time here on earth. He was 100% man and 100% God.

    Why is Jesus called the Son of God?

    In the new testament, Jesus is often referred to as the Son of God. However, on a reading of scripture, you may also notice that many other people are called Sons of God.

    jesus a created being

    Is Jesus a created being?

    The brief answer is that Jesus is not created being, but He existed from eternity along with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit.

    Jesus the passover lamb

    What does it mean that Jesus is the passover lamb?

    Jesus is the lamb that was offered up for our sins once and for all. He was blameless without blemish and, He finished the work on the cross so that we could be covered by God’s grace and mercy.

    jesus baptism

    Why did Jesus take Baptism?

    John’s baptism was a call to repentance for all people; however, Jesus did not perform this act for the repentance of sins because He never sinned.

    Jesus grew in wisdom?

    Jesus grew in wisdom.

    So how can this be possible? Was not Jesus God? If so, how could He have ‘grown’ in wisdom? Does God not already know everything?

    God and man

    How can Jesus be both God and Man?

    We would have heard of this statement in Church that while on earth “Jesus was 100% man and 100% God.” But what does this mean?

    Six common arguments against the resurrection refuted

    This post presents SIX common arguments that are used by skeptics to falsify the resurrection event of Jesus. Each off them can be refuted easily.

    Resurrection Risen Love

    What is the Evidence for the Resurrection?

    The Bible gives a reliable assurance that Jesus did exist, was crucified and people around Him saw Him resurrected after His crucifixion.

    Jesus way heaven only

    Is Jesus the only way to Heaven?

    Christians are often tagged as being selfless about their faith. However, Jesus claimed to be the Only way to the father.

    Jesus is god

    What is Jesus’ most significant claim to be God?

    If you are just looking for one claim made by Jesus about his Divinity look no further than his statement in the gospel of Mark chapter 14

    Jesus God sins Cross

    Is Jesus God?

    Christians believe that Jesus is God. We believe this because we see the claims made by Jesus and His followers recorded in the Bible.

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