Does Jesus call himself divine in the synoptic gospels?

Upvote:-4

The first gospel to be written was Mark, which takes a cautious approach more applicable to an earlier period in Christianity. Jesus never refers to himself as the Son of God. Instead, he uses terms such as "Son of man." Even the disciples never call Jesus the Son of God. However, outsiders such as demons, the high priest and the centurion do make this claim. On two occasions, God himself announces that Jesus is his beloved son, in whom he is well pleased. In Mark 10:18, Jesus clarifies his lack or divine status, saying (KJV): "Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God." In this gospel (Mark 8:29-30), Peter only says that Jesus is the Messiah, and Jesus warns the disciples to say nothing of even this.

Matthew's Gospel was written somewhat later than Mark and (Matthew 16:16-17) Peter can say that Jesus is the Messiah, son of the living God, to which Jesus responds with "...my Father which is in heaven." Here we are getting closer to a direct claim to divinity.

The fourth gospel clearly teaches that Jesus is divine. John 18:5-6 has Jesus state 'I am", and they fell back. Greek readers understood "I am" as a synonym for God (Some English Bibles translate this as "I am he," but the word 'he' is not in the original Greek), which scholars say is why they fell back when Jesus said this.

Upvote:6

In the Synoptics, Jesus showed his divinity by his words and actions.

Jesus equating himself with God:

Luke 8:39 (NASB)

"Return to your house and describe what great things God has done for you." So he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.

Mark 5:19 (NASB)

And He did not let him, but He said to him, "Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you."

Jesus spoke of his divine name and spoke of himself as the divine Son of Man in Daniel 7:

Mark 14:62 (NIV)

"I am," said Jesus. "And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."

Matthew 26:64 (NIV)

"You have said so," Jesus replied. "But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."

Jesus equating himself with the other two persons in the Trinity:

Matthew 28:19 ( NIV)

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Luke equated Jesus ( the Sunrise from on high) with the God of Israel:

Luke 1:78 (NASB)

Because of the tender mercy of our God, With which the Sunrise from on high will visit us,

Luke 1:68 (NASB)

"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people,

Luke 7:16 (NASB)

Fear gripped them all, and they began glorifying God, saying, "A great prophet has arisen among us!" and, "God has visited His people!"

Mark equates Christ with Yahweh in terms of ability:

Mark 4:41 (NASB)

41 They became very much afraid and said to one another, β€œWho then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”

Psalm 107:29 (NASB)

He caused the storm to be still, So that the waves of the sea were hushed.

More post

Search Posts

Related post