Throughout the Gospels, Jesus repeatedly stated and demonstrated that He was God. His declarations and actions are not isolated from the broader context of Scripture but are deeply rooted in the Old Testament (OT), which serves as the foundation for understanding His divine identity. In this article, we will examine the key moments in the Gospels where Jesus claimed divinity, using the OT to provide context and clarity.
1. Jesus as the “I AM”
One of the clearest statements of Jesus’ divinity comes in John 8:58 when He declares, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” This is an unmistakable reference to Exodus 3:14, where God revealed Himself to Moses as “I AM WHO I AM.” By using this title, Jesus identifies Himself with the God of Israel, YHWH (Yahweh), who spoke to Moses from the burning bush. The Jewish audience understood the weight of this statement, as they immediately sought to stone Him for blasphemy (John 8:59).
2. Jesus Forgives Sins
In Mark 2:5-7, Jesus forgives the sins of a paralytic man, which prompts the scribes to question, “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Here, Jesus performs an act that, according to Jewish belief, only God could do. His authority to forgive sins demonstrates that He is not merely a prophet or teacher but possesses divine authority. In Isaiah 43:25, God states, “I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake.” Jesus’ actions directly connect Him with this divine function.
3. Jesus Receives Worship
In multiple instances, Jesus accepts worship, which in Jewish monotheism is reserved exclusively for God. For example, after walking on water and calming the storm, His disciples worship Him, saying, “Truly, You are the Son of God” (Matthew 14:33). In Deuteronomy 6:13, it is commanded, “You shall worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you serve.” Yet, Jesus receives worship without rebuke, implying His divine status. In contrast, angels and apostles in the Bible refuse worship, redirecting it to God (Revelation 22:8-9, Acts 14:15).
4. Jesus’ Claim to be the Son of Man
Jesus frequently refers to Himself as the “Son of Man,” a title from Daniel 7:13-14 where the Son of Man comes “with the clouds of heaven” and is given “dominion, glory, and a kingdom” that will never pass away. This figure is distinct from ordinary human beings, as He is presented in divine terms, receiving worship and eternal authority. When Jesus is questioned by the high priest in Mark 14:61-62 about His identity, He responds, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” The high priest’s immediate reaction of tearing his robes and accusing Jesus of blasphemy confirms that Jesus was claiming a divine status.
5. Jesus as the Good Shepherd
In John 10:11-14, Jesus claims, “I am the good shepherd.” This is a powerful allusion to Psalm 23:1, “The Lord is my shepherd.” Throughout the OT, God is described as the Shepherd of Israel (Isaiah 40:11, Ezekiel 34:11-16). By taking this title upon Himself, Jesus equates Himself with Yahweh, the Shepherd of His people. Additionally, in John 10:30, Jesus declares, “I and the Father are one,” a statement that again incites the Jews to accuse Him of blasphemy (John 10:31-33) because they understood Him to be claiming equality with God.
6. Jesus, the Judge of the World
In the OT, God is the Judge of all the earth (Genesis 18:25, Psalm 96:13). However, Jesus claims this role for Himself in Matthew 25:31-46, where He describes the final judgment and declares that He will separate the sheep from the goats. He also states in John 5:22, “For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son.” This role of divine judgment shows that Jesus shares in God’s sovereign authority over humanity.
7. Jesus, the Source of Life
In John 11:25-26, Jesus declares, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.” This is a remarkable statement because, in the OT, Yahweh is the source of life. Deuteronomy 32:39 states, “See now that I, even I, am He, and there is no god beside me; I kill and I make alive.” By claiming to be the one who has authority over life and death, Jesus is making a claim to divinity.
8. Jesus’ Authority Over Nature
In the OT, only God has control over the elements. Psalm 107:29 says, “He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed.” Yet, in Mark 4:39, Jesus calms a storm with His command, “Peace! Be still!” His disciples are astonished and ask, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” (Mark 4:41). This echoes the divine authority over creation and nature, confirming Jesus’ divine identity.
9. Jesus’ Authority Over Demons
Jesus demonstrates divine authority through His power to cast out demons. In the Gospels, demons repeatedly recognize Jesus’ divine identity, such as in Mark 1:24, where an unclean spirit cries out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” Furthermore, Jesus’ authority to exorcise evil spirits points to His unique spiritual supremacy, as even His opponents recognized that such authority could only come from divine power (Matthew 12:22-29).
10. Jesus’ Preexistence
In John 17:5, Jesus prays, “And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.” This indicates His preexistence, a quality only attributed to God in the OT. Micah 5:2 speaks of a ruler from Bethlehem “whose origins are from of old, from ancient times,” a passage traditionally understood to point to the Messiah’s eternal nature.
Bonus: Jesus as the Lord of the Sabbath
Jesus declares in Mark 2:28, “So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.” Since the Sabbath was instituted by God Himself (Genesis 2:2-3; Exodus 20:8-11), only God possesses true lordship over this sacred day. By asserting His authority over the Sabbath, Jesus positions Himself as equal to God, possessing divine rights to define and interpret one of God’s most sacred institutions.
Conclusion
The Gospels present a clear and consistent portrayal of Jesus as God. His declarations, actions, and the reactions of those around Him make it evident that He claimed divinity, often by invoking OT imagery and references to God’s unique roles. Whether by forgiving sins, accepting worship, calming storms, or directly stating that He and the Father are one, Jesus consistently showed that He was not just a teacher or prophet, but God incarnate.
Discussion Questions
- How does Jesus’ ability to calm the storm in the Gospels reflect His divine authority over creation, and what significance does this hold for understanding His identity as God?
- In what ways do Jesus’ statements, such as “I AM” and “I and the Father are one,” demonstrate His divinity, and how were these claims understood by His audience within a first-century Jewish context?
- How do Jesus’ actions of forgiving sins, receiving worship, and claiming authority to judge reveal His divine nature, and why were these actions controversial in the religious setting of His time?
Want to Know More?
- N.T. Wright, The Challenge of Jesus: Rediscovering Who Jesus Was and Is
This book explores the historical context of Jesus’ life and ministry, addressing His claims to divinity and how they would have been understood in first-century Judaism. - Michael S. Heiser, The Unseen Realm: Recovering the Supernatural Worldview of the Bible
Heiser’s work delves into the spiritual and supernatural elements of the Bible, providing insight into how Jesus’ divine identity connects with the broader biblical narrative, including the Old Testament. - Craig Blomberg, The Historical Reliability of the Gospels
Blomberg examines the Gospel accounts, emphasizing the historical accuracy of Jesus’ words and actions, particularly regarding His divine self-identity.
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