How Jesus is the Son of God: A Biblical and Theological Exploration
The identity of Jesus as the Son of God stands at the very heart of Christian faith and doctrine. This title of Jesus Christ is not merely an honor or a metaphor but is rooted in the testimony of both the Old and New Testaments, the self-understanding of Jesus, the witness of his followers, and the affirmation of God the Father himself. Understanding what it means for Jesus to be the Son of God, and how this is revealed and confirmed in Scripture, is essential for grasping the unique identity of Jesus and the foundation of the gospel.
The Old Testament Foundations of Sonship
The concept of a “son of God” is not foreign to the Old Testament. In several places, Israel as a nation is referred to as God’s “son” (Exodus 4:22; Hosea 11:1), and the Davidic king is called God’s “son” in a special sense (Psalm 2:7; 2 Samuel 7:14). For example, Psalm 2:7 records God’s declaration: “You are my Son; today I have begotten you.” This royal sonship pointed forward to a greater fulfillment in the Messiah, who would embody and surpass all previous meanings of the term.
Yet, the Old Testament also hints at a coming figure whose relationship to God would be unique and unparalleled. Isaiah 9:6 speaks of a child to be born who will be called “Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Daniel 7:13-14 describes “one like a son of man” who comes with the clouds of heaven and is given everlasting dominion. These passages set the stage for the New Testament revelation of Jesus as the Son of God in a way that transcends all previous categories.
Jesus’ Self-Understanding as the Son of God
In the Gospels, Jesus refers to God as his Father in a manner that is distinct from how others do. He speaks of “my Father” and claims a unique relationship with God. In John 5:17-18, after healing on the Sabbath, Jesus says, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.” The Jewish leaders immediately recognize the implication: “This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.”
Jesus’ self-understanding is further revealed in his high priestly prayer: “Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed” (John 17:5). Here, Jesus claims pre-existence and a shared glory with the Father, indicating a relationship that is eternal and divine.
Moreover, in passages such as Matthew 11:27, Jesus declares, “All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” This mutual knowledge and exclusive relationship point to a unique sonship that is not shared by any other being.
The Testimony of the Father and the Spirit
The divine sonship of Jesus is not merely a claim he makes about himself; it is confirmed by the direct testimony of God the Father and the Holy Spirit. At Jesus’ baptism, the heavens open and a voice declares, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased” (Mark 1:11). At the transfiguration, the Father again affirms, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him” (Mark 9:7).
The Spirit’s descent upon Jesus at his baptism (Mark 1:10) and his empowerment throughout Jesus’ ministry further attest to his unique identity. The Spirit’s role is to anoint and authenticate Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God, fulfilling Old Testament prophecy (Isaiah 61:1).
The Works and Authority of Jesus
Jesus’ divine sonship is also demonstrated through his works and authority. He forgives sins (Mark 2:5-7), exercises authority over nature (Mark 4:39-41), raises the dead (John 11:43-44), and claims the authority to judge the world (John 5:22-23). These are prerogatives that, according to the Old Testament, belong to God alone.
In John 10:36-38, Jesus responds to accusations of blasphemy by pointing to his works as evidence of his identity: “Do you say of him whom the Father consecrated and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me; but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.” Here, Jesus invites people to examine his works as proof of his unique relationship with the Father.
The Confession of the Disciples and Others
The recognition of Jesus as the Son of God is not limited to his own claims or the Father’s testimony. His disciples and others also come to this realization. After Jesus calms the storm, the disciples exclaim, “Truly you are the Son of God” (Matthew 14:33). Peter’s confession at Caesarea Philippi is central: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). Jesus affirms this confession, stating that it was revealed to Peter by the Father (Matthew 16:17).
Even those outside the circle of disciples recognize Jesus’ identity. At the crucifixion, the Roman centurion declares, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” (Mark 15:39). Demons also acknowledge him as the “Son of the Most High God” (Mark 5:7).
The Resurrection as the Ultimate Proof
The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is presented in the New Testament as the definitive proof of his divine sonship. Paul writes in Romans 1:3-4 that Jesus “was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead.” The resurrection vindicates Jesus’ claims and demonstrates that he is who he said he was.
What Makes Jesus the Son of God?
Jesus is the Son of God not by adoption or mere title, but by nature. He is eternally begotten of the Father, sharing the same divine essence (John 1:1-3, 14). The Nicene Creed, reflecting biblical teaching, affirms that Jesus is “begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father.” This distinguishes Jesus’ sonship from that of believers, who are children of God by grace and adoption (Romans 8:15-17).
How Did Jesus Know He Was the Son of God?
The Gospels present Jesus as possessing a unique self-awareness from an early age. At twelve, he refers to God as his Father in the temple (Luke 2:49). Throughout his ministry, he speaks and acts with the authority and consciousness of one who knows his divine origin and mission (John 8:58; John 10:30). This knowledge is intrinsic to his identity as the eternal Son.
How do People Confirm that Jesus is the Son of God?
People confirm Jesus’ sonship through the witness of his life, teachings, miracles, fulfillment of prophecy, and especially his resurrection. The apostolic preaching in Acts centers on Jesus as the Son of God (Acts 9:20), and the early church’s confession is that “Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God” (John 20:31). Faith in Jesus as the Son of God is the means by which one receives eternal life (John 3:16; 1 John 5:12-13).
How Jesus is the Son of God: Concluding Thoughts
How is Jesus the Son of God? The title “Son of God” as applied to Jesus is rooted in the Old Testament, revealed in his own self-understanding, confirmed by the Father and the Spirit, demonstrated through his works, confessed by his followers, and vindicated by his resurrection. Jesus is the Son of God by nature, eternally begotten of the Father, and the only one who can reveal God fully to humanity. To confess Jesus as the Son of God is to acknowledge his unique identity, authority, and the salvation he brings–a truth at the very core of the Christian faith.
As Jesus himself said, “even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father” (John 10:38). This is the heart of the biblical witness to how we know Jesus is the Son of God.