Question and Answer

Jesus did claim to be God the Son by calling God, “My Father” (John 5:17–18). His Jewish audience understood His claim to deity and labeled it blasphemous. Similarly, Jesus later says, “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30–33). His Jewish opponents wanted to stone Him for what seemed blasphemous to them, as they replied, “Because you, a mere man, claim to be God” (10:33). In His rejoinder, Jesus reiterates His deity, saying, “Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’?” (10:36).

Jesus’ claim to be the “Son of Man” is a reference to being God the Son. When the chief priests and scribes demanded Him to answer as to whether or not He is the Christ, He replied, “But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God” (Luke 22:69). The Jewish leadership replied with the question, “Are you then the Son of God?” They grasped that the claim to be the Son of Man was a claim to be the Son of God. Jesus responded to their question: “You say that I am.” They concluded, “Why do we need any more testimony? We have heard this from His own lips” (22:70–71). In other words, with His own speech, Jesus indicated to them that He was the Son of God. He did not contradict their conclusion or say they misunderstood Him. They understood rightly His claim to deity.