Was Jesus God or just a prophet?
The answer determines your eternity.
You might have clicked on this article because something deep inside you longs for answers. Perhaps you’re wrestling with questions about Jesus—who He truly is, what His life means, and why billions around the world worship Him. Maybe you’ve heard that He was a great prophet, a wise teacher, or an influential religious figure. But something within you suspects there’s more—something powerful, personal, and life-changing.
If you’ve ever felt spiritually restless, confused, or unsure, know this: your questions matter, because your eternity hinges upon how you answer the most crucial question of all: Is Jesus truly God, or just another prophet? The truth about Jesus isn’t just theological trivia—it’s life and death, hope and despair, salvation or separation.
This article will confront you gently but boldly with one eternal truth: Jesus Christ is more than a prophet. He is God Himself in human flesh. And recognizing Him as God is not merely an intellectual acknowledgment; it is the gateway to forgiveness, freedom, and everlasting life.
Who Did Jesus Claim to Be?
When investigating who Jesus is, the first place we must look is to Jesus Himself. If anyone knows His true identity, it’s Him. Contrary to those who portray Him simply as a prophet or moral teacher, Jesus made extraordinary, unmistakable claims about Himself—claims that would be blasphemous if He were merely a prophet.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus states clearly:
“I and the Father are one.”
— John 10:30
This single, bold declaration caused an uproar among His Jewish listeners. They understood precisely what He meant—that He was claiming equality with God. And to erase any confusion, He said explicitly again:
“Before Abraham was born, I am!”
— John 8:58
By using the phrase “I am”, Jesus directly referenced God’s sacred name revealed to Moses (Exodus 3:14). His Jewish audience recognized this instantly as a divine claim and attempted to stone Him for blasphemy. A mere prophet or wise man would never dare speak these words, yet Jesus boldly proclaimed His divine nature.
The Testimony of Scripture: Jesus, Fully God
The Bible consistently emphasizes Jesus’s deity. The Apostle John begins his Gospel with profound clarity:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning… The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”
— John 1:1-2, 14
This “Word” is Jesus Himself—fully God, becoming fully human. Likewise, the Apostle Paul emphasizes the same:
“For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.”
— Colossians 2:9
Jesus wasn’t partially God or symbolically God. He was—and is—fully and completely God. Scripture leaves no room for Jesus to be seen merely as a prophet or great teacher.
Prophet, Good Teacher—or God?
Many people today attempt to honor Jesus without acknowledging His divinity. They consider Him a prophet among others like Moses or Muhammad, or perhaps a moral guide like Buddha or Confucius. However, Jesus Himself refused to allow that interpretation.
Consider the famous words of C.S. Lewis, who vividly captured this truth:
“I am trying here to prevent anyone from saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: ‘I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept His claim to be God.’ That is the one thing we must not say… Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.”
Jesus’s claims about Himself compel each of us to make a choice: Is He a liar, lunatic, or Lord? To say He is simply a prophet is logically impossible based on His clear, repeated statements about Himself.
Jesus’s Miracles: Divine Proof
Jesus did not merely speak divine truth; He demonstrated His identity through powerful miracles. He healed the sick, opened blind eyes, raised the dead, walked on water, calmed storms, and multiplied loaves and fish. These miracles were not just acts of compassion—they were signs pointing directly to His divinity.
When He forgave sins, religious leaders were scandalized:
“‘Who can forgive sins but God alone?’… [Then Jesus said] ‘But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.’”
— Mark 2:7, 10
Only God can truly forgive sins against God. Jesus didn’t merely speak of forgiveness; He forgave—proving through miracles His divine authority.
Jesus’s Death and Resurrection: The Ultimate Proof
The greatest proof of Jesus’s divine nature is found in His death and resurrection. Prophets have come and gone, but none have conquered death. Jesus openly predicted His death and resurrection numerous times to His disciples:
“We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death… and three days later he will rise.”
— Mark 10:33-34
And He fulfilled these words exactly. Jesus’s tomb was empty. Hundreds witnessed the resurrected Christ alive—touching Him, eating with Him, speaking with Him. His resurrection was not symbolic or figurative; it was a literal, historical event. This event is the foundation of Christianity and the supreme evidence of His divine identity:
“[He] was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead.”
— Romans 1:4
A mere prophet cannot raise himself from the dead. Only God holds power over life and death—and Jesus, through His resurrection, proved undeniably He is God incarnate.
What Does This Mean for You Personally?
Understanding Jesus’s divinity is not an abstract theological issue—it is deeply personal. If Jesus is truly God, it means your Creator entered human history, took on flesh, and bore your sin on a cross, dying in your place. It means that He, God Himself, loved you so much that He was willing to endure unimaginable suffering so you could find forgiveness and eternal life.
If He is just a prophet, He can offer you wise teachings and moral examples. But He cannot give you forgiveness, eternal life, or victory over death.
But because He is God, His promises are sure:
- Forgiveness: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
- Eternal Life: “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.” (John 11:25)
- Freedom and Transformation: “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36)
Will You Follow Him?
Friend, today Jesus is asking you the most important question you’ll ever answer:
“Who do you say I am?”
— Matthew 16:15
He is not merely a prophet, teacher, or moral guide. He is the living God, who took on flesh, died for your sins, and rose again.
If you’ve seen the truth clearly today—that Jesus Christ is God incarnate—don’t delay. Turn from your sin, surrender your life to Him, and embrace the salvation He offers freely.
You can pray this simple, heartfelt prayer:
“Lord Jesus, I now understand You are God and my Savior. Forgive me for living without You. I turn from my sin and place my trust fully in You. Thank You for dying and rising again for me. Be my Lord, my God, and my Savior. Amen.”
Begin your new life today—open the Bible (start with the Gospel of John), find a church that honors Jesus, and discover what it truly means to know and follow Jesus Christ, your God and Savior.