Who is Jesus? It's a question that’s been asked for over two thousand years—and one that still shapes lives, faith, and culture today. Some say he was a good teacher. Others call him a prophet or a moral example. But for Christians, the answer goes deeper.
So here’s the real question behind the question: Is Jesus real? Is Jesus the Son of God? And if so, what does that mean for us?
What Did Jesus Say About Himself?
If you’ve ever wondered, Is Jesus God? or Is Jesus the Son of God?, the answer starts not with what others said about Jesus, but with what he said about himself in his own words.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus makes bold claims that left no room for confusion:
“The Father and I are one.” John 10:30
“I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I Am!” John 8:58
When Jesus used the phrase “I Am,” he was echoing the divine name God used in the Old Testament (Exodus 3:14). His listeners understood exactly what he was claiming: equality with God. That’s why many accused Jesus of blasphemy, and it’s ultimately why he was crucified.
Later, after his resurrection, the disciple Thomas saw Jesus and said, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). And Jesus didn’t correct him. He received the worship—something no good moral teacher would accept unless he truly was God.
Are God and Jesus the Same Person?
This is where the question gets more nuanced: are God and Jesus the same person? Or are they somehow different?
Christianity teaches what’s called the Trinity: that God is one being in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus is not the Father, but he is fully God, just as the Father and Spirit are. They’re united in nature and purpose but distinct in person.
Think of it this way: The Trinity doesn’t mean three gods. It means one God who exists in perfect relationship—Father, Son, and Spirit.
So when we ask, are God and Jesus the same person? The biblical answer is no, not in personhood, but yes in divine identity. Jesus is God in the flesh, revealing exactly what God is like.
Why the Disciples Believed Jesus Was God
It’s one thing for Jesus to claim divinity, but why did his followers believe him?
These weren’t people who casually followed a spiritual trend. The disciples knew Jesus personally. They walked with him, saw him crucified, and according to their testimony encountered him alive again.
Many of them were beaten, imprisoned, or killed for preaching that Jesus is God. People don’t willingly suffer and die for something they know is a lie. Their courage points to something real—something they couldn’t deny, even under pressure.
Their lives are one of the strongest historical arguments for who Jesus is.
Who is Jesus to You?
C.S. Lewis, a former atheist and Oxford professor, framed it this way: either Jesus claimed to be the Son of God because he was a lunatic, he was lying, or he was telling the truth and truly is Lord.
“A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said...would either be a lunatic—on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg—or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse.” C.S. Lewis
So, who is Jesus to you? Is he a lunatic, a liar, or Lord? And what does that mean for your life today?
If you’re asking these questions, a great place to start is by reading one of the Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John. Ask, listen, wrestle, reflect. You may find that Jesus is not only real, but present—and deeply personal.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jesus
Is Jesus God according to the Bible?
Yes. Jesus claimed divinity, accepted worship, and was described by his followers as the Son of God and the visible image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15).
Are Jesus and God the same person?
No. Jesus is not the Father, but is fully God—one of the three persons of the Trinity.
Why does it matter who Jesus is?
If Jesus really is God, then what he says about life, death, forgiveness, and eternity matters more than anything else.
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For a deeper exploration of Jesus—who he is and who he claims to be—check out this episode of The Evidence Podcast. Each episode tackles the biggest questions about faith and Christianity, just like this one!
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