Deity of Christ
The Bible never claims that Jesus is God.
Short answer
It does, plainly and repeatedly. John's Gospel alone calls Jesus "God" three times (John 1:1; 1:18; 20:28), and dozens more verses in John show him claiming God's name ("I AM"), existing before creation, being equal with the Father, doing what only God does, and receiving worship. Across the rest of the New Testament, Paul, Peter, Hebrews, and Revelation say the same.
In simple words: The Bible says Jesus is God many times! The very first verse of John's Gospel says "the Word was God," and that Word is Jesus.
Response
This claim is common online, but it doesn't survive reading the Bible itself. Take John's Gospel alone. John tells us why he wrote it: "that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God" (John 20:31). And from his first verse to his last chapter, he shows who that Son is.
John calls Jesus "God" outright three times:
- "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (1:1). The Word is Jesus: "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us" (1:14).
- "No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God… has made him known" (1:18).
- Thomas, seeing the risen Jesus: "My Lord and my God!" (20:28). Jesus accepts it and blesses those who believe (20:29).
Then John fills in the picture. Jesus existed before creation and made all things (1:3; 1:10; 8:58; 17:5). He takes God's own name, "I AM" (8:24; 8:28; 8:58; 13:19; 18:5-6). He claims equality with the Father, and his enemies understand it: "You, a mere man, claim to be God" (5:18; 10:30-33). He gives life, raises the dead, and judges the world (5:21-29). He knows hearts (2:24-25). He receives worship (9:38) and the same honor as the Father (5:23). And John says that when Isaiah saw the LORD on his throne, "he saw Jesus' glory" (12:41; Isaiah 6:1-5).
The rest of the New Testament agrees. Paul calls Christ "God over all" (Romans 9:5) and "our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:13). Peter writes of "our God and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 1:1). Hebrews records the Father saying to the Son, "Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever" (Hebrews 1:8). Colossians says "in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form" (Colossians 2:9). Isaiah foretold a child who would be called "Mighty God" (Isaiah 9:6).
One honest note: a few verses have manuscript differences. For example, some manuscripts of John 1:18 read "the only Son" instead of "God the only Son." But the earliest manuscripts we have (P66 and P75, around AD 200) read "God," and the case doesn't rest on any single verse. Remove every debated verse, and the Bible still clearly teaches that Jesus is God.
For the full list of passages in John, see "John's Gospel: Jesus is God" on the Who Is Jesus? page.
Key evidence
- John calls Jesus "God" directly in John 1:1, 1:18, and 20:28.
- Jesus uses God's name "I AM" (John 8:58; compare Exodus 3:14).
- His opponents understood him to claim equality with God (John 5:18; 10:33).
- John identifies the LORD whom Isaiah saw with Jesus (John 12:41; Isaiah 6).
- Paul, Peter, and Hebrews all call Jesus God (Romans 9:5; Titus 2:13; 2 Peter 1:1; Hebrews 1:8).
Bible passages
- John 1:1-3, 14 "The Word was God… The Word became flesh."
- John 1:18 "The one and only Son, who is himself God."
- John 20:28-29 "My Lord and my God!"
- John 8:58 "Before Abraham was born, I am!"
- John 10:30-33 "You, a mere man, claim to be God."
- Romans 9:5 "Christ, who is God over all."
- Titus 2:13 "Our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ."
- Hebrews 1:8 "Your throne, O God."
Discussion questions
- Why do you think the claim that the Bible never calls Jesus God has spread so widely?
- Which passage in John do you find clearest, and why?
- Why does it matter that Jesus' enemies understood his claims as claims to be God?