Resource: Who Is Jesus?

Jesus Christ is God (Yahweh) and the “Son of God” (the Messiah)

He is the Lord and Savior of humanity. 

He is both fully God and fully human. 

He is 100% God (Yahweh/I am who I am/Son of Man) and 100% human (Son of God/Messiah). 

He is 200%. 

Being 100% God, He has always been and is eternal. 

Being 100% human, his mother was Mary from the lineage of King David and His Father was God, through His eternal Holy Spirit that overshadowed her and caused the powerful conception. 

He was sent to reconcile people to God the Father through His life, death, and resurrection. (Please see more on this in our “Why did Jesus come?” page)

Here are the bible references to these truths:

[Skip to a section :: Jesus is: The Son of God | God | Messiah | Savior | Lord | Way (to the Father) | Risen King | The “I Am” ]

1. Jesus is the “Son of God:

• Matthew 3:17 (NIV)
  “And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.’”
  
• John 1:34 (NIV)
  “I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”
  (Some manuscripts: the Son of God)
  
• Matthew 4:3 (NIV)– “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
  Satan’s temptation of Jesus.
  
• Matthew 8:29 (NIV)– “What do you want with us, Son of God?”
  Demons recognize Jesus’ divine identity.
  
• Matthew 14:33(NIV) – “Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’”
  Disciples’ acknowledgment after Jesus walks on water.
  
• Matthew 16:16 (NIV)– “Simon Peter replied, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’”
  Peter’s confession of Jesus’ identity.
  
• Matthew 26:63-64 (NIV)– “The high priest said to him, ‘I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.’”
  Jesus affirms His identity during His trial.
  
• Mark 1:1(NIV) – “The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.”
  Mark’s introduction to his Gospel.
  
• Mark 3:11 (NIV)– “Whenever the impure spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, ‘You are the Son of God.’”
  Demons’ recognition of Jesus.
  
• Mark 5:7 (NIV)– “He shouted at the top of his voice, ‘What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?’”
  A demon-possessed man addresses Jesus.
  
• Mark 14:61-62(NIV) – “Again the high priest asked him, ‘Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?’ ‘I am,’ said Jesus.”
  Jesus’ affirmation during His trial.
  
• Luke 1:35 (NIV)– “So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.”
  Angel’s message to Mary.
  
• Luke 3:38 (NIV) – “The son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.”
  Genealogy of Jesus.
  
• Luke 4:3(NIV) – “The devil said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.’”
  Satan’s temptation of Jesus.
  
• Luke 4:9 (NIV)– “The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. ‘If you are the Son of God,’ he said, ‘throw yourself down from here.’”
  Another temptation by Satan.
  
• Luke 22:70 (NIV) – “They all asked, ‘Are you then the Son of God?’
  
  
• John 1:49 (NIV)– “Then Nathanael declared, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.’”
  Nathanael’s declaration.
  
• John 3:18 (NIV)– “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”
  Jesus’ teaching on belief.
  
• John 5:25(NIV) – “Very truly I tell you, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live.”
  Jesus speaks of His authority.
  
• John 5:26 (NIV) – “For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself.”
  Jesus’ divine authority.

Back to top

---

2. Jesus is God:

• John 1:1, 14 (NIV)
  “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”
  
• Colossians 2:9 (NIV)
  “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.” 
• Paul emphasizes that Jesus embodies the complete nature of God in human form.
• John 10:30 (NIV)

“I and the Father are one.” 

Jesus asserts His unity with God the Father, indicating shared divine essence.

• John 20:28 (NIV)

“Thomas said to him, ‘My Lord and my God!’”

Thomas directly addresses Jesus as God, and Jesus affirms this declaration.

• Philippians 2:6–7 (NIV)

“Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.”

This passage highlights Jesus’ preexistence and voluntary incarnation.

• Hebrews 1:3 (NIV)

“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.” 

Jesus is described as the perfect reflection of God’s nature and sustainer of the universe. Jesus is the visible image of the eternal invisible God. 

• Titus 2:13 (NIV)

“While we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” 

Paul refers to Jesus as both God and Savior.

• Romans 9:5 (NIV)

“Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised!”

Paul affirms Jesus’ divine sovereignty.

• Matthew 1:23 (NIV)

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). This prophecy identifies Jesus as God incarnate.

• John 14:9 (NIV)

“Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.”

• John 10:33 (NIV)

“We are not stoning you for any good work,” they replied, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.”

Back to top

---

3. Jesus is the Messiah (Christ)

• John 4:25-26 (NIV)
  “The woman said, ‘I know that Messiah’ (called Christ) ‘is coming.’ … Then Jesus declared, ‘I, the one speaking to you—I am he.'”
  
• Matthew 1:18, 21, 23 (NIV)

“This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about… She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins… The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”)

• Matthew 16:15–16 (NIV)

“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

Peter’s confession acknowledges Jesus as the Messiah and the Son of God.

• Matthew 26:64 (NIV)

“You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

Jesus affirms His messianic role during His trial before the Sanhedrin.

• 4. Luke 2:11 (NIV)

“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”

The angel announces Jesus’ birth as the Messiah to the shepherds.

• 5. Luke 4:18 (NIV)

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.”

Jesus reads this prophecy from Isaiah, identifying Himself as the anointed one or Messiah

• 6. John 4:25–26 (NIV)

“The woman said, ‘I know that Messiah (called Christ) ‘is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.’ Then Jesus declared, ‘I, the one speaking to you—I am he.’”

Jesus directly identifies Himself as the Messiah to the Samaritan woman.

• 7. Acts 5:42 (NIV)

“Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.”

The early church consistently preached Jesus as the Messiah.

• 8. Acts 26:22–23 (NIV)

“But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen—that the Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles.”

Paul testifies to the fulfillment of messianic prophecies in Jesus.

Back to top

---

4. Jesus is the Savior

• John 3:16-17 (NIV)
  “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
  
• Matthew 1:21 (NIV)

“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

This verse introduces Jesus’ mission to save humanity from sin.

• 2. Luke 2:11 (NIV)

“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”

The angel announces Jesus’ birth as the Savior to the shepherds.

• John 4:42 (NIV)

“They said to the woman, ‘We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.’”

The Samaritans acknowledge Jesus as the Savior after hearing Him speak.

• John 14:6 (NIV)

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’”

Jesus declares Himself as the exclusive path to salvation. 

• Acts 4:12 (NIV)

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

Peter affirms that Jesus is the only means of salvation.

• Romans 10:9 (NIV)

“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Paul emphasizes faith in Jesus’ resurrection as essential for salvation.

• Ephesians 5:23 (NIV)

“For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.”

Paul compares Christ’s relationship with the church to that of a husband and wife, highlighting Jesus as the Savior.

• Philippians 3:20 (NIV)

“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Paul speaks of awaiting Jesus, the Savior, from heaven.

• Titus 2:13 (NIV)

“While we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

Paul refers to Jesus as both God and Savior, awaiting His return.

• 2 Peter 3:18 (NIV)

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.”

Peter encourages growth in grace and knowledge of Jesus, the Savior.

Back to top

---

5. Jesus is Lord

• Philippians 2:9-11 (NIV)
  “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name… every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
  
• Romans 10:9 (NIV)
  “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

• Matthew 28:18 (NIV)

“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.’”

Jesus declares His supreme authority over all creation.

• Luke 2:11 (NIV)

“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”

The angel announces Jesus’ birth, recognizing Him as Lord.

• John 13:13 (NIV)

“You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am.”

Jesus affirms His title as Lord.

• Romans 10:9 (NIV)

“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Paul emphasizes the confession of Jesus as Lord for salvation.

• 1 Corinthians 8:6 (NIV)

“Yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.”

Paul distinguishes Jesus as the one Lord through whom all things exist.

• 6. Philippians 2:10–11 (NIV)

“That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Paul prophesies universal acknowledgment of Jesus as Lord.

• Colossians 2:6–7 (NIV)

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”

Paul encourages believers to live in accordance with their acknowledgment of Jesus as Lord.

• 1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”

Peter instructs believers to sanctify Christ as Lord in their hearts.

• Revelation 17:14 (NIV)

“They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them. He is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.”

John describes Jesus as the supreme Lord and King.

Back to top

---

6. Jesus is the Way to the Father

• John 14:6 (NIV)
  “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’”
• 1 Timothy 2:5: “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.”
  This verse highlights Jesus as the sole mediator between God and humanity.
  
• Ephesians 2:18: “For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.”
  This passage emphasizes that through Jesus, both Jews and Gentiles have access to the Father.
• Colossians 3:17: “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Back to top

---

7. Jesus is the Risen King

• 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (NIV)
  “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.”
  
• Revelation 1:17-18 (NIV)
  “I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever!”

• Matthew 21:5 (NIV)

“Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”

This prophecy from Zechariah is fulfilled as Jesus enters Jerusalem, acknowledging Him as the prophesied King.

• 2. John 18:37 (NIV)

“You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”

Jesus affirms His kingship before Pilate, stating His purpose to bear witness to the truth.

• Luke 19:38 (NIV)

“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”

During Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the crowd proclaims Him as the King sent by God.

• Revelation 19:16 (NIV)

“On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”

This verse depicts the exalted Christ as the supreme ruler over all.

• Revelation 17:14 (NIV)

“They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.”

This passage highlights Jesus’ ultimate victory and His sovereignty as King.

• Revelation 11:15 (NIV)

“The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: ‘The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.’”

This verse proclaims the establishment of God’s eternal kingdom under Christ’s reign. 

• 7. Colossians 1:13 (NIV)

“For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves.”

Paul speaks of believers being transferred into the kingdom of Jesus, affirming His kingship.

• Colossians 1:18 (NIV)

“And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.”

This verse emphasizes Jesus’ preeminence and authority over all.

• 1 Timothy 6:15 (NIV)

“Which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords.”

Paul refers to Jesus as the supreme ruler, King of kings.

• Hebrews 1:8 (NIV)

“But about the Son he says, ‘Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.’”

This verse attributes eternal kingship and justice to Jesus.

Back to top

Jesus’ “I Am He” Statements and connection to Messianic prophecy in the Old Testament: 

Here are key passages where Jesus says “I am He” in the NIV, particularly in the Gospel of John:

1. John 4:26 (To the Samaritan Woman)

“Then Jesus declared, ‘I, the one speaking to you—I am he.’”

Jesus explicitly identifies Himself as the Messiah, revealing His identity in a way He rarely did so directly.

---

2. John 8:24

“I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am He, you will indeed die in your sins.”

3. John 8:28

“So Jesus said, ‘When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me.’”

4. John 13:19

“I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am who I am.”

(Note: Some translations preserve the “I am He”, others render it more literally as “I am”, echoing the divine name.)

---

5. John 18:5–6 (At His Arrest)

“‘Jesus of Nazareth,’ they replied. ‘I am he,’ Jesus said. … When Jesus said, ‘I am he,’ they drew back and fell to the ground.”

 The reaction of the soldiers falling backward at His words may suggest divine power behind the declaration.

---

Connection to the Book of Isaiah/OT(NIV)

In Isaiah, God repeatedly uses the phrase “I am he” (Hebrew: “Ani hu”) to declare His uniqueness, sovereignty, and eternal existence.

1. Isaiah 43:10

“You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me.”

2. Isaiah 43:13

“Yes, and from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?”

3. Isaiah 46:4

“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you.”

4. Isaiah 48:12

“Listen to me, Jacob, Israel, whom I have called: I am he; I am the first and I am the last.”

---

Theological Connection

• In Isaiah, “I am he” is a declaration of God’s eternal self-existence, uniqueness, and authority.
  
• When Jesus uses the same language, especially in contexts that suggest divine prerogative (e.g., forgiving sins, pre-existing Abraham, causing others to fall at His words), He is aligning Himself with the God of Israel.
  
• This is why the religious leaders in John 8 attempt to stone Jesus when He says, “Before Abraham was born, I am!” (John 8:58) — they understand this as a claim to divinity, echoing both Exodus 3:14 (“I AM WHO I AM”) and Isaiah’s declarations.

 John 10:33 (NIV)

“We are not stoning you for any good work,” they replied, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.”

Jesus is God, He is Messiah, He is Lord. He is worthy to be worshiped and praised. He is Yahweh. I pray you see it!

Back to top