Deity of Christ
Wasn't Jesus just a great prophet?
Short answer
Jesus was a prophet, but he claimed and showed far more. Prophets pointed away from themselves and said, "This is what the LORD says." Jesus spoke on his own authority, forgave sins, accepted worship, and said he would judge the world. Scripture contrasts the prophets as servants with Jesus as the Son.
In simple words: Prophets were God's messengers. Jesus is God's Son, and he did things only God can do.
Response
Calling Jesus a prophet is true as far as it goes; he spoke God's word and foretold the future. But it does not go far enough, and the New Testament itself draws the contrast.
The prophets introduced their messages with "This is what the LORD says." Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said… but I tell you" (Matthew 5:21-22), placing his own word on the level of God's law. Prophets called people to turn to God; Jesus called people to come to him (Matthew 11:28). Prophets refused worship; Jesus received it.
Jesus told a parable about this very question. A vineyard owner sends servant after servant to collect his fruit, and they are beaten and killed. Finally he sends "one left to send, a son, whom he loved" (Mark 12:1-12). The servants are the prophets; the beloved son is Jesus. The religious leaders understood the parable was about them. Hebrews makes the same point: God spoke through the prophets, but "in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son… through whom also he made the universe" (Hebrews 1:1-2).
There is also a logical problem. A true prophet tells the truth. Jesus claimed to forgive sins, to share God's glory before creation, and to be the judge of all people. If those claims were false, he would not be a good prophet but a false one. The only way to honor Jesus as a true prophet is to believe what he said about himself.
Key evidence
- Prophets spoke for God ("This is what the LORD says"); Jesus spoke with his own authority ("But I tell you").
- In the parable of the tenants (Mark 12), the prophets are servants and Jesus is the owner's beloved son.
- Hebrews 1:1-3 contrasts the prophets with the Son, through whom God made the universe.
- Hebrews 3:3-6: Moses was a faithful servant in God's house; Christ is the builder of the house and the Son over it.
- Jesus said one "greater than Jonah" and "greater than Solomon" was present (Matthew 12:41-42).
Bible passages
- Mark 12:1-12 Servants, then the beloved son.
- Hebrews 1:1-3 God spoke through prophets; now by his Son.
- Hebrews 3:3-6 Moses the servant; Christ the Son and builder.
- Matthew 5:21-22 "But I tell you."
- Matthew 12:41-42 Greater than Jonah and Solomon.
Discussion questions
- What is the difference between how the prophets spoke and how Jesus spoke?
- In the parable of the tenants, why does it matter that the last one sent is the son, not another servant?
- Can someone accept Jesus as a true prophet without accepting what he said about himself?