Apologetics

Did Jesus Ever Claim to be God?

 “So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jews persecuted him. Jesus
said to them, ‘My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working.’ For
this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath,
but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.” (John 5:16-
18)
 Jesus called God his father, which was claiming to be equal to God (remember that it is
important to take into account the language, culture and people that were being spoken
to). Jesus said “my Father”, not “our Father.” In the rules of their language, Jesus’ use of
this phrase was a claim of equality with God. If Jews did say “my Father” they would
always add “in heaven.” Even worse: “My Father never stops…” He was putting his
own activity on an equal plain with God.
 He claimed he was one with the Father: “I and the Father are one.” (John 10:30)
 His hearers wanted to stone him “Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him, but
Jesus said to them, ‘I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of
these do you stone me?’" (John 10:31-32). Why? The Greek word “one” in this passage
is neuter, not masculine and does not indicate one in person or purpose but one in
“essence or nature.” It is evident that Jews understood him to be claiming to be God and
threatened to stone him because of blasphemy as directed in Leviticus 24:16: “anyone
who blasphemes the name of the LORD must be put to death. The entire assembly must
stone him. Whether an alien or native-born, when he blasphemes the Name, he must be
put to death.”
 Jesus continually spoke of himself as one in essence and nature with God. This shows that
Jesus thought that he was more than just a man; he was claiming to be equal with God.
1. "If you knew me, you would know my Father also." (John 8:19)
2. “When he looks at me, he sees the one who sent me.” (John 12:45)
3. “He who hates Me hates My Father also.” (John 15:23)
4. “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.” (John 5:23)
 Jesus forgives sins but according to Jewish Theology only God could forgive sins: “I, even I,
am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no
more.” (Isaiah 43:25).
 “Then Jesus said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ The other guests began to say among
themselves, ‘Who is this who even forgives sins?’ Jesus said to the woman, ‘Your faith
has saved you; go in peace.’" (Luke 7:48-50)
 “When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’ Now
some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, ‘Why does this fellow
talk like that? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?’ Immediately
Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said
to them, "Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to the paralytic,
'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, take your mat and walk'? But that you may
know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins . . . ." He said to the
paralytic, ‘I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.’ He got up, took his mat and
walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying,
‘We have never seen anything like this!’" (Mark 2:5-12)

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 Apologetics

 The Scribes called it blasphemy. Only God could do both (heal and forgive the man)
because both require divine power. Because he was claiming to forgive sin, he was
claiming to be God. Why? Because I can say, “I forgive you” if you sinned against
me, but I can’t forgive you if you sinned against someone else (it’s not my right).
The paralytic had not sinned against Jesus (they had never met before) but against
God.
 “Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, ‘Are you not going to answer?
What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?’ But Jesus remained silent
and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, ‘Are you the Christ, 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. ‘You have heard the blasphemy. What do
you think?’" (Mark 14:60-64)
 Jesus’ response shows that he claimed to be three things:
1. the Son of the God
2. the One who would sit at the right hand of power
3. the Son of Man, who would come on the clouds of heaven
A. Each claim is messianic
B. The Sanhedrin and the high priest understood these points and knew he was
claiming to be God. The High Priest was not allowed to tear his clothes in private
disputes: “do not tear your clothes” (Leviticus 10:6); “The high priest, the one
among his brothers who has had the anointing oil poured on his head and who
has been ordained to wear the priestly garments, must not let his hair become
unkempt or tear his clothes” (Leviticus 21:10). However, according to custom,
when the high priest was acting as a judge, he had to tear his clothes as an
expression of horror if blasphemy was uttered in his presence.
C. There were then only two possibilities: Jesus was God or he was committing
blasphemy. They chose to believe he was committing blasphemy. The high
priest tore his clothes and they had him crucified. They taunted him by saying:
“He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, 'I am the
Son of God.' " (Matthew 27:43).
D. This trial is different because Jesus is not on trial because of what he did, but
because of who he claimed to be. The Sanhedrin trial, the Roman trial, and
everything that took place surrounding Jesus’ condemnation and death was hinged
on the question of “Who is Jesus?”

Information from:
1. More than a Carpenter by Josh McDowell
2. The Case for Christ (Student Edition) by Lee Strobel