Is Jesus God?

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Where in the Bible does Jesus say, “I Am God?”

This is probably the first thought that comes to mind, when trying to understand if Jesus is God, a prophet, a miracle worker or a popular figure in ancient times.

To find out who Jesus is, we need to understand what the Bible has to say about Him. We are going to do this by looking at verses in both the Old and the New Testament.

Just to cover the basics – the Old Testament was written by the prophets, hundreds of years before Jesus was born, and the New Testament written by His disciples and followers.

It is true that the Bible does not explicitly declare Jesus as God. However, there are a number of verses that point to Jesus being God, and the first reason is that Jesus said and did things unlike any prophet. It is also important to note that God the Father is a distinct person from His Son, Jesus.

Things Jesus Spoke of Himself	Bible Verse
Jesus has the authority to forgive sins	Matthew 9:2
Jesus is the only way to God the Father	John 14:6
Pray and ask in My name	John 14:14
He offers eternal life to all who believe in Him	John 3:16
All things were created through Jesus – in Heaven and on Earth	Colossians 1:16
Jesus is seated on the Throne of God	Matthew 25:31; Hebrews 1:3; Revelation 21:5-6; Revelation 22:1
He is the source of all peace	John 14:27
Jesus has authority over Heaven and earth	Matthew 28:18
His spoke with authority not under authority	Matthew 7:28-29
Jesus was able to lay down His own life and raise it up Himself	John 10:18; John 5:21
Jesus was worshipped	Luke 24:51-53 (More verses listed below)

While Jesus did not say I am God and the God in the Heavens is another God, He made many statements claiming to be one with the Father in deity.

How to do a Bible Study on Jesus?

1. First, we take a look at what Jesus said, and how He reacted to situations
2. Second, we look at how the people around Him (both disciples and the Jews) perceived Jesus.

These Bible verses are to help you do your own research to understand and see what the Bible reveals to you about Jesus. While many verses seem like Jesus is dependant on the Father, there are also many verses, where Jesus is revealed as God in flesh.

Here’s a verse you may not have heard of: (This is Apostle Paul speaking)

Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. Acts 20:28 (NKJV)

Did you catch it?

It says, God purchased you with His own blood.

Here’s another, neglected scripture.

So also the chief priests with the scribes mocked him to one another, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with him also reviled him. Mark 15:31-32

Notice that they mock Him calling on the names that Jesus was probably known by at that time.

1. Savior
2. The Christ
3. The King of Israel
4. Son of God (the parallel story in Matthew 27:43)

The King of Israel is particularly interesting because, prophet Isaiah calls God as the King of Israel.

Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: “I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god. Isaiah 44:6

Not to forget that Jesus also calls Himself the First and the Last in the book of Revelation (covered in detail below).

Tell No One

On the Mount of Transfiguration, when Jesus shone like the sun, and His clothes were as white as light, Jesus commanded the disciples not to tell anyone what they had seen.

As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.” Matthew 17:9

Again in Luke Chapter 9 we see Peter acknowledging Jesus as the Christ (which Jesus previously confirmed to the Samaritan women by the well in John 4:26).

Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone. Luke 9:21

Again when Jesus heals two blind men we again see Jesus strictly warning them to tell no one.

And their sight was restored. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.” Matthew 9:30

Why were they warned not to tell anyone?

Not only does Jesus tell His disciples not to tell anyone that He is Christ, Jesus also gives an explanation why, in the next verse.

And he said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Luke 9:22

Jesus came to earth on a mission, and that was to suffer by being rejected and killed, but ultimately to be raised back to life. So when Jesus says, “tell no one”, it is probably an indication of a bigger plan He wants to accomplish.

Jesus was performing miracle after miracle, but He knew that His bigger mission was to save our soul, so we may spend eternity in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28

➡ Latest Discoveries: If you want to dig deeper to find out if Jesus is God, here are some latest discoveries: Shroud of Turin The Dead Sea Scrolls Megiddo Mosaic

Is Jesus God?

Let us now take a closer look to see if the Bible teaches us that Jesus is God.

Use these bible verses below to do your own analysis to see if these statements in the Old and New Testaments testify of Jesus being God.

1. Same Titles of God

Here are some of the titles that Jesus used in the Bible that also fit the description of the God in the Old Testament.

1. ‘I Am that I Am’

The most commonly used bible verse to prove that Jesus is God, is taken from Exodus 3:14, where the Father calls Himself the great “I AM”, when Moses asked God to reveal His name.

Jesus used the same title for Himself in John 8:58, and the more intriguing fact is that in that statement Jesus also claims to have existed before Abraham.

“Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” John 8:58

Upon making this statement the Pharisees wanted to stone Jesus.

➡ Why did they want to stone Jesus after He said this? What was it that made the Pharisees angry?

One of the instances where the Pharisees wanted to stone Jesus, this was the reason they gave;

“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

2. The First and The Last; the Beginning and the End:

Here is a very interesting Bible verse that appears in both the Old and the New Testaments.

Once by God in the Old Testament, and the other times by Jesus in the New Testament.

In fact, Jesus repeatedly claimed this title “The First and The Last” for Himself, in the Book of Revelation.

This is what the Lord says in Isaiah 44:6 of the Old Testament:

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

Here is what Jesus says in the Book of Revelation:

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

Here are some other verses describing the First and the Last; the Alpha and the Omega; the Beginning and the End as titles used by God:

• Revelation 2:8
• Revelation1:8
• Revelation 21:6-7
• Revelation 22:12-13
• Revelation 22:20

3. King Of Israel

In Isaiah 44:6 of the Old Testament we see the prophet calling God as the King of Israel.

“Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: ‘I am the First and I am the Last; Besides Me there is no God. Isaiah 44:6 (NKJV)

Going forward to the New Testament, Jesus is proclaimed as the King of Israel in multiple passages.

When Jesus displays His all-knowing nature by telling Nathanael that He saw him under the fig tree (even though Jesus was not physically present), Nathanael declared He was truly the Son of God and the King of Israel.

 Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” John 1:49

Also when the Jewish people who witnessed many miracles of Jesus, welcomed Him as He rode on a donkey, waving their palm branches, and hailing Jesus as the King of Israel.

Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. John 12:13

4. Every Knee Shall Bow:

What the Old Testament says about God;

“Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. By myself I have sworn; from my mouth has gone out in righteousness a word that shall not return: ‘To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance.’ Isaiah 45:22-23 (ESV)

What the New Testament says about Jesus;

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth. Philippians 2:10

5. Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven:

It is written in the Old Testament that Daniel had a vision,

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

After being arrested when Jesus was asked by the high priest if He was the Messiah, the Son of God, this is how Jesus replied,

“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 14:62-63

➡ Why did the high priest tear his clothes upon hearing Jesus’ statement?

In the book of Revelation, where John had a vision of Jesus we see the same parallel being told.

“Look, he is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye will see him, even those who pierced him”; and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.” So shall it be! Amen. “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”

We can break down this verse to see who this passage of scripture is talking about:

• He is coming with the clouds
• Everyone will see Him who was pierced
• He calls Himself the Alpha and the Omega
• Who is, was and is to come, the Almighty

6. King of kings and Lord of lords:

Finally, we read in Deuteronomy 10:17 where it says;

For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes.

And in Revelation 17:14 this is what the bible says about Jesus,

These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

7. The Good Shepherd

About the God in the Old Testament:

Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today, if you hear his voice. Psalm 95:6-7

What Jesus quoted in the New Testament:

but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. John 10:26-28

2. Is Jesus and God the same person?

Moving on from the titles of God, let us see what the Bible teaches on whether Jesus and God are the same person?

We know from the Bible that Jesus is the only begotten Son of God, who was born of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:18), by the virgin Mary.

Here are verses spoken by God the Father, about His only Son Jesus Christ:

• God the Father speaks out when Jesus was baptised (Matthew 3:17)
• The Father also calls Jesus His begotten Son on the mount of transfiguration (Mark 9:7) which was witness by some of Jesus’ disciples

Jesus, was also acknowledged as the Son of God by His disciples and even the devil.

• Peter also reveals that He knows Jesus is the Son of God (Matthew 16:16)
• Nathanael declares that Jesus is the Son of the Most High God (John 1:49)
• Even the enemy knew Jesus was the Son of God and declared it! (Luke 8:28)
• Satan also used this title for Jesus when he attempted to tempt Jesus (Matthew 4:3-6)

3. Difference between the Son of God and the Children of God

There is a big difference between the ONLY begotten Son of God and the children of God.

Children of God:

Those who believe and accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour are called children of God (John 1:12-13). It is by grace through faith, that we come to receive Jesus as Lord, and thus become children of God.

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. Romans 8:14

While Jesus on the other hand, was divine in nature or essence – begotten from the Father. We are eligible to be called children of God only by believing in Him (Jesus), and not because of the fact that we are created by God. Jesus didn’t have to do anything to become One with God. We on the other hand are children of God by accepting Christ in faith.

It is true that Jesus never said “I Am God, worship Me”, But it is also true that He never denied anyone from worshipping Him as God.

Worship is for God alone, otherwise it becomes idolatry. Angels never accepted being worshipped (Revelation 19:9-10), neither did the disciples or the prophets. Yet Jesus never stopped anyone who worshipped Him.

4. Jesus never denied being worshipped

The Old Testament show us that there is only One God who is worthy of worship and praise, and we do not to bow down before any other gods (Exodus 20:1-5).

The Gospels reveals that right from the time of being born Jesus Christ was worshiped.

• On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. (Matthew 2:11)
• Matthew 14:33 – The disciples worshipped Jesus
• John 20:28 – Thomas worshipped Jesus and called Jesus as God
• Luke 24:51-53 – On His ascension Jesus’ resurrection He was worshipped
• John 9:38 – The blind man who Jesus healed, worshipped Him
• Revelation 5:13 – Every creature in Heaven and on Earth

➡ Old Testament prophets and the disciples spoke on behalf of God and by the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This means that they were not worshiped, and neither were the angels of God.

When Peter was worshiped:

When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am a man.” Acts 10:25-25 (ESV)

When an angel was worshipped:

 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me. 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 22:8-9

5. The Creator

In the Old Testament, found in the Book of Isaiah is this scripture:

“This is what the Lord says, Your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb: I am the Lord, the Maker of all things, who stretches out the heavens, who spreads out the earth by myself. Isaiah 44:24

It is clear that God made Heaven and Earth by Himself.

Lets look at the New Testament verses of Jesus being the Creator:

1. Colossians 1:16 tells us that through Jesus all things were created
2. Hebrews 1:2 also states that all things have been created through Jesus and for Him
3. John 1:3 also states that Jesus is the Creator and there was nothing made without Him

6. Constantly Found Explaining His Divine Nature:

In Mark 14:61-63, we have previously seen how Jesus made the connection with Daniel’s vision. Here are some other verses explaining how others recognised His divine nature.

• Luke 8:39 – “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.
• Colossians 1:19 –  For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him.
• Revelation 1:17-18 shows us the powerful authority of Jesus Christ

➡ Bible Study Questions to Understand if Jesus is God:

1. If Jesus was not God, why then was He constantly being mocked and ready to be stoned?
2. When the blind man was healed by Jesus (John 9), why did the people and the Pharisees deny that he was healed by Jesus? (Even though the blind man was questioned three times by the Pharisees who also questioned the blind man’s parents)

7. Why then was Jesus a man?

Jesus came to earth for a purpose. Not only to reveal Himself to His people, but to also be the sacrificial Lamb for the forgiveness of our sins.

The reason Jesus didn’t come to earth as a Mighty warrior was because of the purpose of His first coming. It was to lay down His life. A Mighty warrior may not have fit the criteria of a sacrificial lamb.

Jesus limited Himself, as He entered into His own creation.

• Jesus, though He was God in nature, He humbled Himself in the form of a man (Philippians 2:6-9)
• Sacrificed Himself as the blameless and sinless Lamb (2 Corinthians 5:21)
• Fully God and fully man (Colossians 2:9)
• Jesus was made lower than angels (Hebrews 2:8-9)
• Jesus is to return to His previous glorified status (John 17:5)
• Jesus came down form Heaven (John 3:13)

8. Claims of Jesus that are Godly Attributes:

• Authority to forgive sins (Luke 5:20-23)
• Judge all nations of the world (John 5:22)
• The only way to God the Father (John 14:6)
• Creator of Heaven and Earth (Colossians 1:16 and John 1:3)
• Raise people from the dead (John 11 and Luke 7:11-17)
• I and the Father are One (John 10:30)
• Omnipresent (Matthew 28:20)

9. Did God ever say He has a Son who was also God?

Yes. Hebrews 1:8,

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.

Reading the entire chapter of Hebrews 1, will give you a better understanding and context of the passage.

10. If Jesus is not God, what did He mean by this?

In the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, we see Jesus making many bold statements such as these;

• John 10:30
• Mark 14:36
• John 5:23
• John 17:5

When trying to understand if Jesus is God, here are some questions to ask yourselves, while digging deeper into the context:

1. Why did Jesus make these statements?
2. What was He trying to prove?
3. How did His audience react?

11. Why did they Want to Stone Jesus?

There were multiple instances when the Pharisees wanted to stone Jesus following some of the comments He made;

• John 10:30-33
• John 8:58-59
• Mark 14:61-63

Bible Verse to Study: John 10:25

12. Did His Disciples call Him God?

Here is another important question to include in your bible study of “Is Jesus God?”

Who was Jesus to His disciples?

• In John 20:28 – Thomas worshipped Jesus saying, my Lord and my God
• Matthew 1:23 – Jesus Christ is God with us
• 2 Peter 1:1 – Our God and Savior Jesus Christ
• Colossians 1:15 – Image of the invisible God
• Romans 9:5 – Christ who is God over all
• James 2:1 – Lord Jesus Christ
• Titus 2:13 – Our great God and Savior Jesus Christ
• 1 John 5:20 – the true God and eternal life

13. John VS Matthew, Mark and Luke

It is no doubt true, that the deity of Jesus is revealed in great depth in the Book of John, starting with the very first verse in the first Chapter.

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

But the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke also confirm His divine nature:

• The Transfiguration on the Mount (Luke 9:28 and Mark 9)
• Baptism of Jesus where God the Father and the Holy Spirit was present
• Jesus heals the sick and the oppressed
• Christ has authority over all His creation – He walked on water and calmed the storm
• He even gave life to the dead (story of Lazarus and the story of the widow’s only son)

14. Jesus Accepts Glory as God Does

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

Here Jesus not only confirms His existence before all creation, but also that He had a glorified state before being humbled on earth as a servant.

And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross! Philippians 2:8

15. Who Sits on God’s Throne?

The vision of John as written in the book of Revelation:

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

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

16. Jesus Was Not a Creation

John says this about Jesus,

All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. John 1:3

17. Did the Old Testament talk about Jesus?

In fact, there are way too many references to Jesus in the Old Testament, that I had to write a separate article on this topic.

Here is one such bible verse in the Old Testament;

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

18. For God to be God

Here are some Godly attributes of Jesus:

1. The Creator – John 1:2-3, Colossians 1:16
2. Unchanging – Hebrews 13:8
3. Omnipotent (All powerful) – Matthew 28:18, Revelation 17:14, Acts 10:36
4. Omniscient (All knowing) – Mark 2:8, John 2:24-25
5. Omnipresent – Matthew 18:20
6. Just Judge – John 5:22
7. Holy – Mark 1:24, Luke 1:35, Hebrews 7:26
8. Eternal – Revelations 21:6, Luke 1:33, 1 Peter 1:25, Matthew 28:20

➡ Is there an Alternative Theory to Disprove these Bible verses that claim Jesus is God?

To understand if Jesus is God we need to understand what the bible tells us about the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.

Second, research if the Bible talks about Jesus separate from the Father and the Spirit, or one with them.

Jesus in Matthew 19:28 says – Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. (Notice how it says name in singular).

Finally, studying both the Old and New Testament to see if there are prophesies about Jesus, and the meaning behind the bold statements of Jesus in the Gospels.

Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. John 14:1

Final Words: Is Jesus God

This is just scratching the surface.

If you are to carry out your own bible study on Jesus, you will be surprised to see how many more connections there is between Christ and prophesies about Jesus in the Old Testament.

There are a number of Bible verses that prove to us that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, lived a sinless blameless life, died on the Cross for our sins and is soon to return. While prophets of the Old Testament Abraham, Moses, Isaac, Jacob, King David and so many others had all made mistakes, they prayed to God and repented. Jesus on the other hand lived a perfectly sinless life.

Unique Nature of Jesus compared to the Prophets

But Jesus was unique in that way – He prayed because of the relationship and closeness with His Father, not to ask for forgiveness sins (as we know He was sinless in nature) but instead prayed in fellowship with His Father.

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21

While prophets looked up to God to offer peace and restoration of the people, Jesus was different. He was able to make statements like this;

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

Jesus can offer His peace because He is the source of all peace.

Read Next: Powerful I Am Statements of Jesus

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