Was Jesus God?
Many assume Jesus was a great teacher and humanitarian, but a careful examination of His claims show He did not leave this option open. Jesus claimed to be God. People who run around claiming to be God may need psychiatric care . . . unless they are able to do the things God does. Did Jesus do the things that only God can do? Examine the evidence regarding His life.
When Jesus said, "Before Abraham was, I Am," the Jewish leaders understood clearly that He was claiming to be God. The "I AM" statements of Jesus are claims of deity. "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6 NIV).
When someone makes claims such as these, there are only two alternatives: 1) the claims are false; or 2) the claims were true. Follow the logic of the claims of Jesus to be God:
Jesus Claims to be God
If the claims of Jesus were false, there are two alternatives:
1. He knew His claims were false, and He was a liar, fraud, and a fool to die for it; or
2. He did not know His claims were false, and He was sincerely deluded and mentally unstable.
If the claims of Jesus were true, He is Lord and God and there are two alternatives of how to respond:
1. Accept Him as Lord and God; or
2. Reject Him.
Not only did Jesus claim to be God, but hundreds of prophecies predicted hundreds of years in advance give details regarding His life that were far beyond His control. The following 30 predictions concerning the Messiah provide a representative sample of more than 300 Messianic Prophecies in the Old Testament. See Evidence That Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell for additional Messianic Prophecies.
When Jesus said, "Before Abraham was, I Am," the Jewish leaders understood clearly that He was claiming to be God. The "I AM" statements of Jesus are claims of deity. "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6 NIV).
- I AM the bread of life (John 6:35).
- I AM the resurrection and the life (John 11:25).
- I AM the door (John 10:9).
- I AM the light of the world (John 8:12).
- I AM the beginning and the end (Rev. 1:8).
- I AM the good shepherd (John 10:1).
- I AM the true vine (John 15:1).
- Before Abraham was, I AM. (John 8:58).
When someone makes claims such as these, there are only two alternatives: 1) the claims are false; or 2) the claims were true. Follow the logic of the claims of Jesus to be God:
Jesus Claims to be God
If the claims of Jesus were false, there are two alternatives:
1. He knew His claims were false, and He was a liar, fraud, and a fool to die for it; or
2. He did not know His claims were false, and He was sincerely deluded and mentally unstable.
If the claims of Jesus were true, He is Lord and God and there are two alternatives of how to respond:
1. Accept Him as Lord and God; or
2. Reject Him.
Not only did Jesus claim to be God, but hundreds of prophecies predicted hundreds of years in advance give details regarding His life that were far beyond His control. The following 30 predictions concerning the Messiah provide a representative sample of more than 300 Messianic Prophecies in the Old Testament. See Evidence That Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell for additional Messianic Prophecies.
| Old Testament Reference |
Prediction | Fulfillment |
| Is. 7:14 | Messiah would be born of a virgin | Mt. 1:18, 24, 25; Lk. 1:26-35 |
| Gen. 22:18 | Messiah would be from the seed of Abraham | Mt. 1:1; Gal. 3:16 |
| Gen. 49:10; Micah 5:2 |
Messiah would come from the line of Judah | Lk. 3:23,33; Mt.1:2 |
| Is. 11:1, 10 | Messiah would be from the family line of Jesse | Lk. 3:23, 32; Mt. 1:6 |
| Jer. 23:5; 2 Sam. 7:12-16; Ps. 132:11 |
Messiah would come from the house of David | Lk. 3:23, 31; Mt. 1:1; 9:27; 15:22; Mt. 20:31;31 |
| Micah 5:2 | Messiah would be born at Bethlehem | Mt. 2:1; John 7:42 |
| Ps. 72:10 | Messiah would be presented with gifts at His birth | Mt. 2:1, 11 |
| Jer. 31:15 | Herod would attempt to kill the children in the land | Mt. 2:16 |
| Is. 7:14 | Messiah would be called Immanuel (God with us) | Mt. 1:23; Lk. 7:16 |
| Is. 40:3; Mal 3:1 | Messiah would be preceded by a messenger | Mt. 3:1, 2; 3:3; 11:10; Lk. 1:17 |
| Zech 9:9 | Messiah would enter Jerusalem on a donkey | Lk. 19:35, 36, 37a |
| Ps. 16:10; 30:3; 41:10; 118:17 Hosea 6:2 |
Messiah would be resurrected from the dead | Acts 2:31; 13:33; Lk. 24:46; Mk. 16:7; Mt. 28:6 |
| Ps. 41:9 | Messiah would be betrayed by a friend | Mt. 20:4; 26:49, 50 |
| Zech. 11:12 | Messiah would be sold for 30 pieces of silver | Mt. 26:15 |
| Zech 11:13b | Betrayal money would purchase a potter's field | Mt. 27:7 |
| Zech. 13:7 | The Messiah's disciples would forsake Him | Mk. 14:50; Mt. 26:31: Mk. 14:27 |
| Is. 53:7 | Messiah would stand silent before His accusers | Mt. 27:12 |
| Is. 53.5 | Messiah would be wounded and bruised | Mt. 27:26 |
| Is. 50:6; Micah 5:1 | Messiah would be smitten and spit upon | Mt. 26:67; Lk. 22:63 |
| Ps. 22:16 | Messiah's hands and feet would be pierced | Lk. 23:33; John. 20:25 |
| Is. 53:12 | Messiah would be crucified with thieves | Mt. 27:38; Mk. 15:27, 28 |
| Is. 53:3; Ps. 69:8 | Messiah would be rejected by His own people | Jhn. 7:5, 48; 1:11; Mt. 21:42, 43 |
| Ps. 109:25 | People would shake their heads | Mt. 27:39 |
| Ps 22:18 | Garments would be parted and lots cast for them | John. 19:23, 24 |
| Ps. 69:21 | Messiah would be offered gall and vinegar | Mt. 27:34; John. 19:28, 29 |
| Ps. 34:20 | The bones of the Messiah would not be broken | John 19:33 |
| Zech. 12:10 | Messiah's side would be pierced | John 19:34 |
| Amos 8:9 | Darkness would settle over the land | Mt. 27:45 |
| Is. 53:9 | Messiah would be buried in a rich man's tomb | Mt. 27:57- 60 |