Scriptures That Declare Jesus as God in the Bible
The New Testament presents Jesus as divine, often using titles and descriptions that attribute deity to him. One direct declaration is found in Hebrews 1:8-9, which quotes Psalm 45:6-7 and addresses Jesus as God: "But to the Son he says, 'Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom'" [9]. This passage explicitly calls Jesus "God" and describes him as the eternal, just, and anointed King of the universe [9].
The Gospel of John emphasizes Jesus's divinity from its opening verses, stating, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1). This "Word" is identified as Jesus Christ [4]. John's Gospel also records Jesus making claims that align him with God, such as "I and the Father are one" (John 10:30) [4]. The purpose of John's Gospel is explicitly stated as being written "that ye may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing ye may have life in his name" (John 20:31 YLT) [3, 6].
Other New Testament books also affirm Jesus's divine nature. Philippians 2:6 states that Jesus, "though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped" [4]. This passage further describes a future where "every knee should bow... and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord" (Philippians 2:10-11) [7, 10]. The title "Lord" (Greek: Kyrios) in this context represents the Old Testament name Yahweh, a divine title frequently applied to Jesus in the New Testament [7, 10]. Similarly, 2 Corinthians 4:5 states, "For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord" [8].
The Old Testament also contains prophecies that are understood by some to refer to Jesus as divine. For example, Isaiah 40:3, which speaks of preparing the way for the Lord, is applied to Jesus in the New Testament (Matthew 3:3) [2]. Isaiah 6:1-3, describing Isaiah's vision of the Lord, is connected to Jesus in John 12:41 [2, 4]. Jesus is also identified with "Jehovah, our RIGHTEOUSNESS" (Jeremiah 23:5-6) and "Jehovah, the First and the Last" (Isaiah 44:6; Revelation 1:17) [2].
Beyond direct statements, the New Testament attributes actions and characteristics to Jesus that are uniquely divine. He is described as the Creator (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:2) [4]. Matthew's Gospel frequently depicts Jesus receiving worship, an act reserved for God (Matthew 2:2, 8, 11; 8:2; 9:18; 14:33; 15:25; 20:20; 28:9, 17) [5]. The confession "Jesus is the Son of God" is presented as a foundational belief, indicating a deep connection with God (1 John 4:15 BBE) [1].
Sources
- I John “I John 4:15 (BBE) — Everyone who says openly that Jesus is the Son of God, has God in him and is in God.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Christ is God — As Jehovah -- Isa 40:3; Mt 3:3. As Jehovah of glory -- Ps 24:7,10; 1Co 2:8; Jas 2:1. As Jehovah, our RIGHTEOUSNESS -- Jer 23:5,6; 1Co 1:30. As Jehovah, above all -- Ps 97:9; Joh 3:31. As Jehovah, the First and the Last -- Isa 44:6; Re 1:17; Isa 48:12-16; Re 22:13. As Jehovah's Fellow and Equal -- Zec 13:7; Php 2:6. As Jehovah of Hosts -- Isa 6:1-3; Joh 12:41; Isa 8:13,14; 1Pe 2:8. As Jehovah, the Shepherd -- Isa 40:11; Heb 13:20. As Jehovah, for whose glory all things were created -- Pr 16:4; Col 1:16. As Jehovah, the Messenger of the covenant -- Mal ”
- John “John 20:31 (YLT) — and these have been written that ye may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing ye may have life in his name.'”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Excellency and Glory of Christ, The — As God -- Joh 1:1-5; Php 2:6,9,10. As the Son of God -- Mt 3:17; Heb 1:6,8. As one with the Father -- Joh 10:30,38. As the First-born -- Col 1:15,18. As the First-begotten -- Heb 1:6. As Lord of lords, &c -- Re 17:14. As the image of God -- Col 1:15; Heb 1:3. As creator -- Joh 1:3; Col 1:16; Heb 1:2. As the Blessed of God -- Ps 45:2. As Mediator -- 1Ti 2:5; Heb 8:6. As Prophet -- De 18:15,16; Ac 3:22. As Priest -- Ps 110:4; Heb 4:15. As King -- Isa 6:1-5; Joh 12:41. As Judge -- Mt 16:27; 25:31,33. As Shepherd -- Isa 40:10,11; Joh”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 2:2: 2:2 Matthew regularly describes Jesus as receiving worship (2:2, 8, 11; 8:2; 9:18; 14:33; 15:25; 20:20; 28:9, 17), thus identifying Jesus as God.”
- John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on John 20:31: But these are written,..... The several ends of recording what is written in this book, in proof of Christ's resurrection, are as follow: one is, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; that Jesus, who was diminutively called Jesus, the son of Mary, the son of Joseph, the carpenter's son, Jesus of Nazareth, and of Galilee, was the Christ, or true Messiah; which signifies anointed, and takes in all his offices of prophet, priest, and King, to which he was anointed; and is an article of faith of the greatest importance; and is to be believed thr”
- Phil (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Phil 2:10: 2:10-11 The entire creation, including spiritual powers and angels, humans on earth, and those who have died, will one day acknowledge the authority of Jesus Christ as Lord (see Eph 1:9-10, 21; Col 1:20-25; 1 Pet 3:22). • every tongue declare (cp. Isa 45:23; Rom 14:11): This does not imply universal salvation, because not all will confess him as Lord freely out of love and devotion. • Lord, a divine title representing the Old Testament name Yahweh, is frequently applied to Jesus in the New Testament.”
- 2 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Corinthians 4:5: 4:5 We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord: See also Rom 10:9-10; 1 Cor 12:3; Col 2:6.”
- Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 1:8: 1:8-9 These verses, quoting Ps 45:6-7, proclaim the Son as the divine, just, eternal, anointed King of the universe. • to the Son he says: Jesus is addressed as God; in Heb 1:9, your God is a reference to God the Father. • pouring out the oil of joy: Olive oil was used to anoint kings of Israel at the inauguration of their rule (1 Sam 10:1; 1 Kgs 19:15-16). God has anointed his Son, Jesus Christ, as King.”
- Philippians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Philippians 2:10: 2:10-11 The entire creation, including spiritual powers and angels, humans on earth, and those who have died, will one day acknowledge the authority of Jesus Christ as Lord (see Eph 1:9-10, 21; Col 1:20-25; 1 Pet 3:22). • every tongue declare (cp. Isa 45:23; Rom 14:11): This does not imply universal salvation, because not all will confess him as Lord freely out of love and devotion. • Lord, a divine title representing the Old Testament name Yahweh, is frequently applied to Jesus in the New Testament.”