Did Jesus claim to be God when he was in court, on trial for his life? Like Jesus’ enemies, Trinitarians often assert that Jesus was
“claiming to be God” (John 10:33 REB). However, Jesus flatly refuted that false charge by saying,
“I am God’s Son” (John 10:36). Like Jesus’ enemies, once again, Trinitarians also falsely assert that Jesus
“was claiming equality with God” (John 5:18 REB). Jesus flatly refuted that false charge also, by saying:
“In all truth I tell you, by himself the Son can do nothing; he can do only what he sees the Father doing” (John 5:19 NJB).
When, finally, Jesus was brought before the Jewish Supreme Court, the Sanhedrin, what was the real issue that they were concerned about?
“The high priest said to him, ‘I order you to tell us under oath before the living God whether you are the Messiah, the Son of God'” (Matthew 26:63 NAB).
This was the real issue, whether Jesus claimed to be “the Messiah, the Son of God.” They obviously knew he never ‘claimed to be God’. Notice Jesus’ response:
“The words are yours. But I tell you this: ‘from now on you will see the Son of man seated at the right hand of the Almighty and coming on the clouds of heaven'” (Matthew 26:64 REB). read more