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Did Jesus say he was God?  Yes.  And he also said he was the Son of God, the long-expected Messiah, and (wait for it) the ultimate authority in the universe!  So, was he mad?

 

Did Jesus say he was God?  Yes.

Jesus is recorded saying that he and God are the same being on at least three occasions in John:

“The Father and I are one.” (John 10:30)

“Whoever sees me sees him who sent me”. (John 12:45);

“Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” (John 14:9).

When Jesus prayed to God, he always called him “Father” (For the only possible exception to this, see note at the bottom of the article).  He also referred to God as his Father when talking to others, (Example: John 8:54).  The religious leaders of Jesus’ time were certain that by calling God “Father” he was making himself equal to God.

“For this reason, the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because he was not only breaking the sabbath, but was also calling God his own Father, thereby making himself equal to God.” (John 5:18)

In a heated discussion with religious leaders in Jerusalem, Jesus took God’s own name “I am” and applied it to himself.  “I tell you the truth.  Before Abraham was born, I am.” (John 8:58).  John shows Jesus using a particularly emphatic form of language here.  It can be translated “I, I am”.  It is the name of God which, according to the religious rules of the time, could not be spoken aloud and Jesus is not only saying it aloud but deliberately applying it to himself.  It’s not surprising that the religious leaders picked up stones to throw at him (John 8:59).

 

Did Jesus say he was the Son of God?  Yes.

At Jesus’ trial before the assembly of priests in Jerusalem, he was asked “Are you then the son of God?”  Jesus’ reply, translated word for word, was “You say that I am”.  This might be similar to someone, today, saying “You said it!” but, although his meaning is not completely clear to us, the assembly took it to mean that he was answering “Yes” to their question, because their response was “What further testimony do we need?  We have heard it ourselves from his own lips.” (Luke 22:70-71).

In Mark’s account of this trial, Jesus’ was more emphatic.  The high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”  Jesus replied, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” (Mark 14:61-62).  Mark shows Jesus, again, using the very emphatic “I, I am” statement which, for his listeners, would be the same as taking the name of God for himself.  The high priest responded by saying “Why do we need any more witnesses?  You have heard the blasphemy.” (Mark 14:63-64).  (In referring to the son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, Jesus is talking about a prophecy found in Daniel 7:13-14.  The high priest would have known this prophecy.  Check it out.  No wonder the high priest was angry.)

In the debate in the temple, mentioned above, Jesus said “Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, ‘I am the son of God’?” (John 10:36).  Also, at his crucifixion, religious leaders said, “Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said ‘I am the Son of God'”. (Matthew 27:43).

 

Did Jesus say he was the expected Messiah?  Yes.

In Mark’s account of Jesus’ trial before the assembly, mentioned above, Jesus made it clear that he was the Messiah (Mark 14:61-62).  While talking to the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well, Jesus also explicitly stated that he was the Messiah.

“The woman said to him, ‘I know that Messiah is coming who is called Christ. When he comes, he will declare all things to us.’  Jesus said to her, ‘I am! (Again, taking the name of God.) The one who is speaking to you.’” (John 4:25-26).

On another occasion, Jesus asked his disciples who people thought he was.  They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” (Matthew 16:14).  Jesus then asked them who they thought he was.  Simon Peter said, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”  And Jesus answered, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 16:15-17)

 

Did Jesus say he was the ultimate authority in the universe?  Yes.

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (Matthew 28:18)

“All things have been handed over to me by my Father.” (Luke 10:22)

“…so also the Son gives life to whomever he wishes.  The Father judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son, so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father.” (John 5:21-23)

“Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him.” (John 17:1-2)

 

So… Was Jesus mad?

Jesus said he was God.  He said he was the son of God.   He said he was the Messiah.  He said that all authority in the universe had been given to him.  Jesus said all these things about himself so, if he was just a human being, then he was clearly mad.  Perhaps the best way to decide whether or not he was mad is to look at the other things he said and ask ourselves if his words sound like the words of a madman.  A good place to start is by reading the clear, simple, practical commands that Jesus tells his followers to obey (see link to article “What does Jesus want his followers to do?” below).   They don’t sound like the teachings of a madman to me.

 

May our loving Father bless us, strengthen us, and keep us safe as we serve him.

Jesus is Lord.

Peter O

 

Related Articles

“What does Jesus want his followers to do?”

What did Jesus say about his own words?

God said Jesus was his son.  Twice.

“Is Christianity the only way to God?”

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* While Jesus was dying, he called out “My God. My God. Why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34).  If he was praying, then this is the only occasion on which he prayed and did not call God “Father”.  However, it is quite possible that he was not praying, but quoting scripture – drawing the crowd’s attention to the opening words of Psalm 22 which, many believe, is a prophetic foretelling of his crucifixion.  Jesus included the Psalms in his list of Old Testament writings that foretold his life and work: “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” (Luke 24:44).

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