Deity of Christ
Jesus said, "The Father is greater than I."
Short answer
"Greater" here describes position, not nature. A king is greater in rank than his son serving as an ambassador, but no less human. During his mission on earth, the Son willingly took the role of a servant sent by the Father. Yet the same Gospel says the Word was God and that the Son must be honored just as the Father is.
In simple words: Jesus chose to come to earth as a servant, so the Father had the higher place for a while. But Jesus is still God, just like the Father.
Response
In John 14:28 Jesus tells his disciples that if they loved him, they would be glad he was going to the Father, "for the Father is greater than I." Jesus was speaking while in his humble earthly condition, about to return to the glory he had before.
The word Jesus uses, "greater" (Greek: meizōn), describes rank or position. When Hebrews 1:4 compares the Son with angels, it uses a different word, "superior" (kreittōn), which describes quality or nature. The Son is not lower in nature than the Father; he took a lower position by becoming man. Philippians 2:6-7 says that he, "being in very nature God," made himself nothing, "taking the very nature of a servant."
The same is true of being "sent." Being sent is a role, not a lesser nature. In fact, being sent "into the world" assumes he existed before he came (John 16:28). And the same Gospel records Jesus "making himself equal with God" (John 5:18) and saying "all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father" (John 5:23).
Consider also how strange the statement would be from a mere man. No ordinary human would announce, "God is greater than I am." The comparison only makes sense coming from someone who could be mistaken for equal.
Key evidence
- John 14:28 uses meizōn (greater in position); Hebrews 1:4 uses kreittōn (better in nature) of the Son over angels.
- Philippians 2:6-8 describes the Son taking a servant's role while being in very nature God.
- 1 Corinthians 11:3 compares the Father-Son order to husband and wife: equal in nature, ordered in role.
- Being sent "into the world" implies Jesus existed before he came (John 16:28).
- The same Gospel calls Jesus God (John 1:1; 20:28) and records him making himself equal with God (John 5:18).
Bible passages
- John 14:28 "The Father is greater than I."
- John 5:18-23 Equal with God; honored as the Father.
- John 16:28 "I came from the Father and entered the world."
- Philippians 2:5-8 Very nature God, taking a servant's nature.
- 1 Corinthians 11:3 The head of Christ is God.
- Hebrews 1:3-4 The Son, superior to the angels.
Discussion questions
- What is the difference between being greater in position and being greater in nature?
- Why would a mere man never need to say "God is greater than I"?
- What does Jesus' willingness to take a lower role teach us about humility?