Of course He did. That is why the Jews accused Him of

Posted on: June 17, 2025 at 14:21:44 CT

blasphemy and the main charge as to why they killed Him.

John 10:30: Jesus says, “I and the Father are one.” This statement was understood by his audience as a claim to divinity, as they immediately accused him of blasphemy and attempted to stone him (John 10:31-33), saying, “You, a mere man, claim to be God.”

John 8:58: Jesus declares, “Before Abraham was born, I am!” The phrase “I am” (Greek: ego eimi) echoes the divine name of God revealed to Moses in Exodus 3:14 (“I AM WHO I AM”). This statement also provoked a strong reaction, with his opponents attempting to stone him for blasphemy (John 8:59).

John 14:9: Jesus tells Philip, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father,” suggesting a unique unity with God.

Forgiveness of Sins: In Mark 2:5-7 (and parallels in Matthew and Luke), Jesus forgives the sins of a paralytic man. The religious leaders respond, “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” This implies that Jesus was exercising a divine prerogative.

Authority Over the Sabbath: In Mark 2:28, Jesus declares, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath,” asserting authority over a divine institution, which could be seen as a claim to divine status.

Use of Divine Titles: Jesus frequently refers to himself as the “Son of Man,” a title from Daniel 7:13-14, where a figure is given divine authority and eternal dominion. Additionally, he accepts the title “Son of God” in contexts like his trial (Mark 14:61-62), where he affirms the high priest’s question about his identity as the Messiah and Son of God, adding a reference to the divine Son of Man.

Miracles: Jesus’ miracles, such as calming the storm (Mark 4:39-41) or raising the dead (John 11:43-44), were seen as demonstrations of divine power, reinforcing his claims to authority.

The Jewish religious leaders frequently accused Jesus of blasphemy for statements or actions they interpreted as claims to divinity (e.g., John 5:18, where they sought to kill him because he was “making himself equal with God”). These reactions suggest that his audience understood his words and actions as implying divine status.

After his resurrection, Jesus accepts worship from his disciples (e.g., Matthew 28:17, John 20:28, where Thomas calls him “My Lord and my God!”). In Jewish monotheism, worship was reserved for God alone, so Jesus’ acceptance of worship could be seen as an implicit affirmation of divine identity.