Did Jesus Ever Say That He Was God?
There are many verses in the Bible, that proclaim Jesus is God, but did He ever say that He was God? We will first look at a few verses where the Bible claims that Jesus is God and then see what He says. We have these verses in Isaiah that have this to say.
Isaiah 9:6-7 (ESV) (Please read the whole chapter)
6.For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7. Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
Verse six makes it very clear that this child that is to be born is God the everlasting father. Of course we know this is speaking of Jesus, and this verse tells us that He is God. The book of John has this to say;
John 1:1-4,14 (ESV) (Please read the whole chapter)
1. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2. He was in the beginning with God. 3. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4. In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
14. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John, tell us here that Jesus was the word, the word was made flesh and lived among us. And that this word is actually God (v1.). So Jesus is the word and Jesus is God according to what John says here. Let’s continue with John, but we will move to first John chapter 5:20 where John says He is the true God.
1 John 5:20 (ESV) (Please read the whole chapter)
20. And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.
Our question in the title is, did Jesus Himself ever claim to be God. A reason for asking is because there are multitudes of people that claim Jesus never said He was God. Now in the Gospels, there are numerous places where He eluded to the fact that He was God, by His works, by His words and deeds. But of course, we would look long and hard to see where Jesus actually made a statement that said “I am God”, that’s only if we’re looking for those specific words. We do have a statement that Jesus says in the Gospel of John that says “I and the Father or one”,(John 10:30). Which definitely means Jesus is God because they are one. However, there is one verse that we cannot leave out and that’s John chapter 8:58
John 8:56-59 (ESV) (Please read the whole Chapter)
56. Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” 57. So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” 58. Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” 59. So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.
To fully understand what Jesus is saying in verse 58 we need to understand the whole chapter and what He was referring to in the old testament. The ones that He was speaking to knew exactly what He was claiming, because in v. 59 they picked up stones to throw at Him. Jewish people were supposed to stone anyone that claimed they were God, so that is why they wanted to stone Him.
The old Testament versus this is referring to Exodus chapter 3, where Moses is speaking to the burning bush. Moses asked God, who shall I say has sent me, and God says “I am, Who I am”.
Exodus 3:13-14(ESV) (Please read the whole Chapter)
13. Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” 14. God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’”
The people that Jesus was speaking to in John chapter 8, knew exactly what Jesus was saying when He said “before Abraham was, I am”. So yes, Jesus did claim to be God, because God Himself said “I am” is His name and Jesus said “I AM”.
Now let’s turn our attention to one more reference where Jesus claims He is God. In Revelation chapter 22 we find several statements. In verse 13 it says “I am the alpha and the omega”, “the first and the last” “the beginning and the end”.
Revelation 22:6-7,12,16-17,20-21
(ESV) (Please read the whole chapter)
6. And he said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.”
7. “And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”
12. “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. 13. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”
16. “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”
17. The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.
20. He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
21. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.
We know Jesus made these statements because in verse 16 He says “I Jesus” which means He’s doing the talking here. Those phrases are only used to describe God, and Jesus here uses them to describe Himself. Of course, there are many other verses that I could be citing, but these are enough to show the truth of the matter. Jesus says here, I am God. So does Jesus ever in the Bible, claim to be God, the answer is, yes.