What Did Jesus Claim About Himself?
Son of God: what do the Qur'an and the Bible say?
Chapters
« Is Jesus the Son of God Because He Was Naturally 'Begotten' by God?
Christian Perspective
In the Bible’s four gospels, Jesus often taught in parables and stories, and people frequently asked him, and each other, who he was. Was he the Messiah from God whom Israel had been promised centuries before? Was he a rabbi (teacher)? A prophet? Something more?
The heir to God’s Kingdom
In response to people’s questions Jesus told a famous story, the Parable of the Tenants – which hints at his true identity.{46}
“He had one left to send, a son, whom he loved. He sent him last of all, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ “But the tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ So they took him and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard.” (Mark 12:6-7)
In this parable, Jesus uses images and themes which were familiar to his first-century Jewish audience. For example, a ‘vineyard’ was a frequent image used to describe the Israelites (eg. Isaiah 5), while the owner of the vineyard is God.
In Jesus’ parable, the ‘wicked’ tenants and servants represent Israel’s religious elites, such as the Pharisees. We are told that these ‘tenants’ are responsible for killing the messengers (prophets) sent to them by the vineyard owner (God). At this point, the vineyard owner, God, takes a final step to try and restore relationship with his wicked tenants: he sends his son. Yet instead of respecting the vineyard owner’s son, the wicked tenants seize the opportunity to kill him too.
This parable makes a shocking claim about Jesus. Firstly, it foretells Jesus’ death at the hands of the Israelites. Secondly, Jesus claims to be more than the servant prophets who came before him. He describes himself as the Master’s ‘son’ and ‘heir’. Jesus claims he is the sole heir of God’s Kingdom. No connection is made to miracles or a virgin birth; rather it is Jesus’ unique authority and relationship with his Father which is emphasised.
The unique Son
In one early gospel account, dating from a little after 60 AD, Jesus claims to have a unique relationship with God the Father:
“All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” (Matthew 11:27)
In this passage, Jesus clearly states he is the unique Son of God.{47} He uses a title not used of anyone else in the Bible. Furthermore, he claims no one can fully know him, the Son, except the Father. And no one can know the Father except him, the Son.
One with the Father
“[Jesus said] … “I and the Father are one.” Again his Jewish opponents picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?” “We are not stoning you for any good work,” they replied, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.”” (John 10:30-33)
In this brief exchange, we see another astonishing claim by Jesus: that he is one with God, the Father.{48}
The meaning of this statement is clearly understood by his Jewish hearers. For a mere man to say such things was a terrible crime against God. When Jesus claimed to be ‘one with the Father’, he was claiming a unique authority and unparalleled relationship with God.
What titles does Jesus give himself?
The Son of God
Before the first century, parent and child metaphors had occasionally been used to describe God’s relationship with his people. In the Bible, God often speaks of his people like a ‘firstborn son.’{49} For Jews, it wouldn’t have been strange to call Jesus ‘a son of God’ in the sense that he was ‘a righteous person’.
But Jesus didn’t call himself ‘a son’ of God – but the Son of God [ho huios]. He identified Himself uniquely as the only Son of the Father.{50} This was scandalous: The Son of God was not a general title but a special one which assumed uniqueness and authority.
Son of Man
‘Son of Man’ was Jesus’ preferred way of describing himself. He used this title more than 80 times51 – and it’s also found in Jewish writings outside the Bible.{52}
But it’s not a contradiction of Jesus’ other title, ‘Son of God’. ‘Son of Man’ links back to Daniel’s prophecy, of 553 BC, recorded in the Old Testament.{53} When religious authorities asked Jesus if he was the Messiah, Jesus responded{54} by pointing them to this prophecy:
“In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.” (Daniel 7:13-14)
When Jesus calls himself the Son of Man, he’s saying he has a specific, divine authority and exclusive right. It’s a term many ancient Jews associated with a heavenly figure possessing universal authority:
- The Son of Man would come in the glory of the Father with angels{55}
- The Son of Man would come riding clouds with great power and glory{56}
- The Son of Man would send angels to gather his people from the earth{57}
Like the ‘vineyard’ of Israel, ’Son of Man’ is not a literal title – it doesn’t mean Jesus has a biological father. Rather, ‘Son of Man’ is a figurative name which communicates Jesus’ uniqueness, purpose and authority.
How can Jesus exist eternally with God the Father?
The Bible teaches that Jesus is God: he exists eternally in perfect unity with the Father and the Holy Spirit. He is uncreated (John 1:1), but has entered history to dwell among his creation, ‘fully God and fully human.’ Of course, this is difficult to understand!
But it’s similar to the way most Muslims see the Qur’an.{58} Sunni Islam maintains that the Qur’an has existed eternally, inscribed on tablets in Paradise but sent down in history in the form of the mushafs (written revelations of Muhammad). It is both uncreated and revealed within history. It is eternal and physical at the same time.
Certainly, questions of eternity stretch our imaginations. But this complexity is no reason to reject God’s revelation.
Islamic Perspective
The Qur’an gives no indication that Jesus ever referred to himself as the Son of God. But it does set Jesus apart as a distinctive Prophet, and addresses Jesus’ identity a number of times. So how does Jesus describe himself in the Qur’an?
A sign from Allah
In Surah 3, Jesus offers a brief explanation of who he is. Firstly, Jesus is a sign (ayat) from Allah:
“I have come to you, with a Sign from your Lord, in that I fashion for you out of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, and breathe into it, and it becomes a bird by Allah’s leave: And I heal those born blind, and the lepers, and I quicken the dead, by Allah’s leave; and I declare to you what ye eat, and what ye store in your houses. Surely therein is a Sign for you if ye did believe.” (I have come to you), to attest the Law which was before me. And to make lawful to you part of what was (Before) forbidden to you; I have come to you with a Sign from your Lord. So fear Allah, and obey me.” (Quran 3.49-50, Yusuf Ali translation)
The servant prophet of Allah
According to Surah 19, the newborn Jesus speaks miraculously from the cradle{59} to confirm his status as a prophet and ‘servant of Allah’:
“[The infant Jesus] said, “Indeed, I am the servant of Allah. He has given me the Scripture and made me a prophet. And He has made me blessed wherever I am and has enjoined upon me prayer and zakah as long as I remain alive and [made me] dutiful to my mother, and He has not made me a wretched tyrant. And peace is on me the day I was born and the day I will die and the day I am raised alive.”” (Quran 19.30-33, Sahih International translation)
A messenger of tawhid
Jesus is quoted as strongly condemning the Christian belief – or the Qur’anic understanding of it –that ‘Allah is Christ the son of Mary’:
“They do blaspheme who say: “Allah is Christ the son of Mary.” But said Christ: “O Children of Israel! worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord.” Whoever joins other gods with Allah, Allah will forbid him the garden, and the Fire will be his abode.” Surah (5:72)
Sura 5 describes a future conversation between Allah and Jesus, which again centres around claims of Jesus’ divinity:
“Allah will say: “O Jesus the son of Mary! Didst thou say unto men, worship me and my mother as gods in derogation of Allah’?” He will say: “Glory to Thee! never could I say what I had no right (to say). Had I said such a thing, thou wouldst indeed have known it. Thou knowest what is in my heart…” (Quran 5.116, Yusuf Ali translation)
Not the final prophet
Jesus also denies his divinity elsewhere in the Qur’an.{60} In Surah 61, he goes further, claiming that he points to a future Messenger to follow him: Ahmad.{61}
From each of the Qur’anic verses which claim to quote Jesus directly, we see him affirming that:
- He is the son of Mary, a virgin
- He is a Messenger to Israel, but not Allah’s final Prophet
- He is himself a Sign from God, and brings a sign
- He is a miracle-worker and healer
- He lived, would die, and be raised alive{62}
- He preached tawhid, and condemned those who worship him
- He was given a scripture (Injil), and spoke as a new-born infant
What else does the Qur’an say about Jesus?
Word from Allah
In addition to direct quotations of Jesus in the Qur’an, he is also mentioned indirectly. Jesus is twice presented as a Word from Allah (kalimatim-minhu).{63}
This description of Jesus as ‘a Word’ bears some similarity to a description of Jesus in the Bible’s Gospel of John, but with important differences.{64} The Qur’an rejects the Bible’s description of Jesus as the uncreated ‘Word’ who created all things.{65} In Islam, Jesus is a Word from Allah, but he is also a created being.
Spirit from Allah
In the same way, Jesus is described in the Qur’an as ‘a spirit from him [Allah]’.{66} The Qur’an is not simply saying Jesus received a spirit from Allah (compare Quran 15.29); it is saying that Jesus was himself a spirit from Allah.
Comparison
Why did Jesus insist he was a Messenger of Allah?
Almost all of Jesus’ direct quotations in the Qur’an are preoccupied with correcting those who worship him. Similarly, the frequent title of Messenger or prophet makes a specific point: Jesus is not so much saying ‘I am a prophet’, as ‘I am only a prophet, and not divine.’
Christians are understandably sceptical of this portrait of Jesus, particularly when most of the words he speaks in the Qur’an are less concerned with affirmative teachings, and more concerned with negative challenges to correct his own misguided followers.
If tawhid truly was the focus of Jesus’ teaching ministry, it would appear that his teaching was least effective among those closest to him.
Does the Qur’an seem confused about the true identity of Jesus?
On one hand, the Qur’an is clear and consistent in stating that Jesus is not divine. It describes the supposed events surrounding Jesus’ birth. On the other hand, there are few clear references to Jesus’ own teaching, and several verses appear to elevate Jesus far above any of the prophets that went before him.
Questions to consider
- In Quran 3.45-46, we are told that Jesus’ birth is good news for all. What is this good news?
- Do you think Jesus was successful as a Messenger of tawhid?
- What does it mean to say Jesus was a spirit from Allah? (Quran 4.171)
Who is Jesus?
Christians have no disagreement with many of the claims made in the Qur’an about Jesus. There’s no problem with the basic claims of Surah 112, since the Bible has already stated that God is one{67}, God is eternal{68}, God does not procreate children{69} and God is not created{70}.
But the question remains: who is Jesus? How should we understand his identity?
We’ve established that:
- the Bible does not claim Jesus as the Son of God because he was born of a virgin, or because he performed miracles.
In the Bible, Jesus claims to be the Son of God because he demonstrates:- a unique and eternal relationship with the Father
- unique authority belonging to God alone
- unique fulfilment of the prophetic promises made before him
- Christians do not believe God procreates, and the word ‘begotten’ used of Jesus is not describing him as a created being.
- There is no evidence in the Bible that Mary was considered God’s wife.
Son of God?
The title, ‘Son of God,’ used to describe to Jesus in the Bible remains controversial. For many Muslims, it seems strange at best, and blasphemous at worst. Yet in spite of the accusations of the Qur’an, Christians do not condone belief in or worship of more than one God.
The Qur’an claims that Jesus rejected the title of ‘Son of God,’ but this rejection is based on a misunderstanding: the Qur’an has misinterpreted Christian teachings and misunderstood what ‘Son of God’ meant to the first hearers.
By calling himself the Son of God, Jesus did not mean that God had fathered a biological child. Nor was he adding partners to the one true God.
Jesus was not merely bringing a message from God. He was the message: a clear glimpse of the holy God, walking among those he created, and offering forgiveness and salvation to all who would turn from their sin and follow him.
Your decision
“[The risen Jesus] said to them, This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” (Luke 24:44-45)
Christians and Muslims agree that no one can go to Paradise unless their sins are forgiven. Jesus claims to forgive sin. He has taken our place in death, ‘to give his life as a ransom for many’ (Mark 10:45).
Jesus paid the debt of our sins in full. If we trust in him, we will be with him in Paradise. This is good news!
“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”” (John 8:12)
“And this is that testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.” (1 John 5:11)
Will you believe in this Jesus?
It is an important decision. One with consequences.
The decision is yours.