One of the most common claims made by skeptics, cults, and critics of Christianity is that “Jesus never claimed to be God” or that the doctrine of Christ’s deity was a later invention. Scripture itself directly refutes that claim.
The Bible does not rely on one isolated verse. It presents a consistent, unified testimony that Jesus Christ is fully God—eternal, worthy of worship, bearing God’s names, authority, and glory.
This study is divided into three sections:
- Direct claims and statements of Jesus’ deity
- Worship and honor given to Jesus as God
- Divine titles and attributes ascribed to Jesus
1. Direct Claims and Statements of Jesus’ Deity
These passages either explicitly call Jesus “God” or record Jesus and others affirming His equality with God.
John 1:1 (ESV)
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
Explanation: Jesus is identified as “the Word.” He existed eternally, distinct from the Father, yet fully God in essence.
John 1:18 (ESV)
“No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.”
Explanation: Jesus is distinguished from the Father yet identified as God, uniquely revealing God to humanity.
John 5:18 (ESV)
“…he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.”
Explanation: The Gospel writer explains that Jesus’ unique claim to sonship was understood as a claim to equality with God—not merely closeness or obedience.
John 8:58 (ESV)
“Before Abraham was, I am.”
Explanation: Jesus uses the divine name “I AM,” echoing Exodus 3:14. His audience understood this as a claim to deity and attempted to stone Him for blasphemy (John 8:59).
John 10:30–33 (ESV)
“I and the Father are one.”
“You, being a man, make yourself God.”
Explanation: Jesus claims unity of essence with the Father. The Jewish leaders correctly understood this as a claim to deity.
John 14:9 (ESV)
“Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.”
Explanation: Jesus does not claim to replace the Father, but to perfectly reveal Him—something no mere human could do.
John 20:28–29 (ESV)
“My Lord and my God!”
Explanation: Thomas directly addresses Jesus as God. Jesus affirms this confession rather than correcting it.
Mark 14:61–64 (ESV)
“You will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming with the clouds of heaven.”
Explanation: Jesus applies Daniel 7’s divine “Son of Man” imagery to Himself. The high priest accuses Him of blasphemy, recognizing the divine claim.
Romans 9:5 (ESV)
“…the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever.”
Explanation: Paul explicitly identifies Christ as God over all.
Philippians 2:6–8 (ESV/NIV)
“Though he was in the form of God… equal with God…”
Explanation: Jesus existed in full equality with God before humbling Himself by becoming man.
Titus 2:13 (ESV)
“Our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.”
Explanation: Jesus is directly called God and Savior in a single grammatical construction.
Hebrews 1:8 (ESV)
“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever.”
Explanation: God the Father addresses the Son as God, affirming His eternal rule.
1 John 5:20 (ESV)
“He is the true God and eternal life.”
Explanation: John concludes by identifying Jesus Christ as the true God.
2. Worship and Honor Given to Jesus as God
Scripture is clear that only God is to be worshiped (Matthew 4:10). Angels and apostles refuse worship—but Jesus never does.
Matthew 2:11 – The Magi worship the infant Jesus
Matthew 14:33 – The disciples worship Him after He stills the storm
Matthew 28:9 – The risen Christ is worshiped
Luke 24:52 – The disciples worship Jesus after His ascension
John 9:38 – A healed man worships Jesus
Hebrews 1:6 – God commands angels to worship the Son
Philippians 2:10–11 – Every knee bows to Jesus, echoing Isaiah 45:23
Revelation 5:13–14 – All creation worships God and the Lamb together
Explanation: Worship is never rebuked by Jesus. Instead, heaven itself worships Him alongside the Father—something impossible if Jesus were a created being.
Acts 7:59–60
“Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
Explanation: Stephen prays directly to Jesus, committing his soul to Him—language reserved for prayer to God.
Romans 10:13 (cf. Joel 2:32)
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Explanation: Paul applies an Old Testament passage about calling on Yahweh directly to calling on Jesus.
3. Divine Titles and Attributes of Jesus
Scripture assigns Jesus names, roles, and attributes that belong exclusively to God.
Matthew 1:23 – “Immanuel… God with us”
Isaiah 9:6 – “Mighty God, Everlasting Father”
Explanation: These titles describe divine authority and eternal rule, not a confusion of Father and Son.
Jeremiah 23:5–6 – “The LORD is our righteousness”
Explanation: The Messiah bears God’s covenant name and fulfills God’s role as righteousness-giver.
John 17:5 – Shared glory with the Father before creation
Micah 5:2 – Eternal origins of the Messiah
Hebrews 13:8 – Jesus is eternally unchanging
Colossians 1:19; 2:9
“All the fullness of God was pleased to dwell… the fullness of deity dwells bodily.”
Explanation: Jesus possesses the complete divine nature—not partially, not temporarily.
Hebrews 1:3
“The exact imprint of His nature.”
Explanation: Jesus perfectly reveals God’s being.
Revelation 1:8; 22:13 – “Alpha and Omega”
Explanation: Titles reserved for Yahweh in Isaiah are applied directly to Jesus.
Isaiah 40:3 / Malachi 3:1
Explanation: John the Baptist prepares the way for Yahweh—fulfilled in Jesus’ coming.
Zechariah 12:10 / John 19:37
“They will look on Me, whom they have pierced.”
Explanation: God speaks of being pierced; John applies this to Jesus’ crucifixion.
Conclusion
Scripture does not present Jesus as merely a prophet, moral teacher, or exalted angel. He is worshiped, prayed to, named, glorified, and identified as God by His followers, His enemies, the apostles, and the Father Himself.
The Bible does not leave the identity of Jesus vague.
The question is not whether Scripture teaches that Jesus is God.
The question is whether one is willing to accept what Scripture plainly says.