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Deity of Jesus Christ Revealed in the Bible

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**These posts are to encourage everyone to read the Bible, and get a deeper understanding of Gods Word.
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Deity is understood to be the divine attribute given to God alone.

To understand if Jesus is divine, we need to study the four Gospels to see what Jesus said, and how He was acknowledged by others. There is no Bible verse where Jesus openly claims to be God. However, read this post to find out why He strictly told His disciples to tell no one that He is the Christ. The concept of One God, being three persons – The Father, Son and Holy Spirit can be confusing to many, but Jesus makes many statements like I and the Father are one (John 10:30), showing Himself to be one with God.

Bible study on the deity of Jesus

“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. “You shall have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:2-3

Looking at the above Bible verse we see that there is only one God, yet Jesus tells Phillip that He is in the Father and the Father is in Him. Jesus also explains that anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father.

Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. John 14:8-10

The Holy Trinity is a vast topic that needs to be covered in greater detail. So staying on topic, let us first take a look at the revelation of Jesus’ deity in the Gospels, and then do a comparative study between the Old and New Testaments.

➡ It is good to do an in-depth Bible study on these verses to understand the meaning behind each of these statements of Jesus.

➡ Books of the Bible Study Free PDF:

The deity of Jesus Christ as seen in the four Gospels.

Book of Matthew:

Bible Verses in MatthewAbout the Deity of Jesus
Matthew 1:23Jesus is God with Us
Matthew 2:11The wise men bowed down to worship baby Jesus
Matthew 3:3Isaiah 40:3 prophesy of God
Matthew 10:1Jesus is able to give authority to His disciples
Matthew 14:30-32Jesus commands the wind
Matthew 14:33Jesus was worshipped
Matthew 12:8He is the Lord of the Sabbath
Matthew 9:2Jesus forgives sins
Matthew 28:18-20Claimed all authority on Heaven and Earth to be given to Him

Book of Mark

Bible Verses in MarkAbout the Deity of Jesus
Mark 2:5-7God alone can forgive sins, yet Jesus forgives sins
Mark 5:30Jesus had divine power
Mark 1:24Even the enemy knew Jesus is Holy
Mark 13:2Jesus is able to foretell things
Mark 8:38Jesus shares in the Fathers’ glory
Mark 14:62-63He is the Son of Man who Daniel prophesied in Chapter 7
Mark 2:20Isaiah 54:7

For further reference, the Son of Man that Jesus called Himself according to the book of Daniel, had glory, sovereign power, and was worshipped by everyone. This is who Jesus claimed to be in Mark 14:62:63.

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. Daniel 7:14

Book of Luke

Bible Verses in LukeAbout the Deity of Jesus
Luke 6:19Healing power was flowing out of Jesus
Luke 23:43Jesus is the way to Heaven and the thief was able to enter in
Luke 18:19While Jesus says only God is good. Jesus calls Himself the Good Shepherd in John 10:11
Luke 21:33Jesus’ words stand forever
Luke 8:39Jesus is compared with God

Book of John

Bible Verses in JohnAbout the Deity of Jesus
John 1:1Jesus was before all creation, and is God
John 1:18This verse is a continuation of Jesus’ divinity
John 14:1Jesus tells us to believe in Him
John 20:27-29Thomas called Jesus, God
John 10:30Jesus is one with the Father
John 8:58Jesus pre-existed
John 1:47Jesus is all knowing – omniscience
John 14:9Jesus says if you have seen Me, you have seen the Father
John 5:19God the Father and Son work together

Note: While doing this study on the deity of Christ, compare the statements of God in the Old Testament to see how they match up with what Jesus Christ said about Himself in the New Testament.

The Deity of Christ Bible Verses

These Bible verses show us that Jesus was more than a man who performed signs and wonders. He claimed the titles of God, was the Creator of the world and worshiped as we see in the verses below.

In the book of Revelation, when John fell at the angels feet to worship, the angel stopped him and said, “Worship God”.

At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus.” – Revelation 19:10

1. I Am the First and I Am the Last

This is what the Lord says Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty: I am the First and I am the Last, apart from me there is no God. Isaiah 44:6.

This is a statement about the God in the Old Testament who holds the title: The First and The Last – and besides Him there is no other God. Now when we flip the Bible pages forward and move onto the New Testament, we see Jesus claiming the same title. In the Book of Revelation written by John, Jesus calls Himself the First and the Last.

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. Revelation 22:13.

Jesus claims this title again in two other verses: Revelation 2:8 and Revelation 1:17

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. Revelation 1:17-18

2. The Son of Man Coming with the Clouds of Heaven

Old Testament:

When we read the book of Daniel we see that he had many dreams and visions. One such vision is about the Son of Man. Daniel says that he saw the Son of Man appearing before God, and was given authority, glory and power over all nations.

“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. 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. Daniel 7:13-14

New Testament:

When Jesus was arrested before being crucified, He was asked to explain Himself, if He was indeed the Messiah. Jesus used the same reference here in Daniel, to describe Himself the Son of Man coming on the clouds.

But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” “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.” The high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. Mark 14:61-63

3. Throne of God

In the book of Revelation, Jesus said,

The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. Revelation 3:21

Here Jesus tells us that He is seated at the throne with the Father. The image of the throne is again described by Jesus as below. Read closely to see who are the three persons mentioned in relation to the throne.

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. Revelation 22:1

The Living Water – John 7:38-39 tells us this living water is the Holy Spirit. The Lamb – In John 1:29, John the Baptist tells us that Jesus is the Lamb of God, and Jesus being the Lamb is explained throughout the book of Revelation. And finally God the Father.

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.”

Matthew 25:31

4. Glorify Me Father

“I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols.” Isaiah 42:8

In the Old Testament, we understand that God does not share His glory with anyone. Yet Jesus tells the Father to glorify Him with the glory He had before entering into the world in human form. This shows us He was in a glorified state previous to His birth in Bethlehem.

And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began. John 17:5

Many times Jesus also claimed to have come down from heaven like in John 6:38.

5.Did Jesus Claim to be God?

1. When Jesus healed the man born blind in Luke 8:39, He says;

“Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.

2. The next one is a popular verse that is used to describe the deity of Jesus Christ.

In Exodus 3:14, when Moses asked God His name, and God calls Himself the ‘I Am’ (Exodus 3:12). Jesus used the same ‘I Am’ title to describe Himself to the Jews who picked up stones to stone Jesus for blasphemy. This was not the only time the Jews picked up stones to stone Him. They were also upset when Jesus claimed to be one with the Father.

“I and the Father are one.” Again his Jewish opponents picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?” “We are not stoning you for any good work,” they replied, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.” John 10:30-33

➡ Read the full list of bible verses to understand if Jesus is God

6. Jesus Laid Down His Life and Raised it Up Again

Whether we read it in the Bible or watched it on TV, the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection is one that is widely known by many regardless of their faith. But the main highlight of Jesus on the Cross, was not only that He was crucified though He was innocent, but in fact, it was He who laid down His life and gave up His Spirit. Jesus foretells His death multiple times before it happened (Read Matthew 20:18-19).

No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father. John 10:18

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10:11

There was never a prophet who had the capacity like Jesus to give up His Spirit of His own will and raise it up again. The resurrections done were done by prayers to God. But Jesus on the other hand did not need any intercession to be resurrected.

7. We are to Worship God alone

When God laid out the Ten Commandments, He clearly establishes that He alone is a sovereign Almighty God (Exodus 20:1-3).

He goes on to say in verses 5 and 6;

You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. (Exodus 20:5-6)

Similarly, John in the book of Revelation also, fell down to worship an angel when the angel stopped him and said;

But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll. Worship God!” Revelation 22:9

Yet Jesus was worshipped.

  • Revelation 5:13
  • John 9:38
  • Philippians 2:10-11
  • John 20:28
  • Matthew 14:33

8. God the Father calls the Son, God

This bible verse is one of the most straight-forward verses to prove the deity of Christ. In this statement we see God the Father describing His Son, Jesus Christ as God.

But about the Son He says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. Hebrews 1:8-9

When doing a Bible study to understand this verse it is good to read that entire Chapter 1 of Hebrews which talks about the deity of Jesus in detail.

9. Jesus is called the Word of God

Here are some bible verses where Jesus is called the Word, or the Word of God:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1

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. John 1:14

He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. Revelation 19:13

10. Jesus is the Creator

He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. John 1:2-3

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. Colossians 1:15-16

And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began. John 17:5

Yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live. 1 Corinthians 8:6

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1

11. Claim to be God

In John 10:33, the Jews clearly state the reason for stoning Him – because Jesus claimed to be God.

“We are not stoning you for any good work,” they replied, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.” John 10:33

When Jesus appeared to many after His resurection, Thomas still didnt believe because He hadn’t seen the resurrected Jesus Himself. So when Jesus appeared to him, Thomas actually acknowledge Jesus as God.

Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” John 20:27-28

12. Jesus is Divine

Here are some other Bible verses where Jesus was considered to be divine.

Titus 2:13 – while we wait for the blessed hope the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Romans 9:5 – Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.

1 Corinthians 8:6 – Yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.

14. Even the Enemy Recognised Jesus as the Holy One

Finally, we see that even the evil spirits in those who were possessed recognized Jesus as Holy.

“What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are the Holy One of God!” Mark 1:24

It is written in the Old Testament that only God is Holy.

“There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.” 1 Samuel 2:2

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.
For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.

Colossians 2:8-9

Closing Statements on the Deity of Jesus

Here is a final bible verse to wrap up this post on the deity of Jesus Christ.

Philippians 2:5-7 – In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

Three takeaways from this bible:

  1. Jesus had the nature of God
  2. Yet He did not use it to His advantage while on earth
  3. Took the form of a servant in human form

Three important reasons why the deity of Jesus was not plainly visible.

No prophet in the Bible was capable of raising the dead on their own without praying and asking God to intervene.

Yet Jesus said,

For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it. John 5:21

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