Jesus about Himself

In the Synoptic Gospels—Matthew, Mark, and Luke—Jesus speaks about himself in a way that is both restrained and profound. Unlike later theological formulations, Jesus does not openly define himself using abstract titles. Instead, through his words, actions, and carefully chosen expressions, he reveals who he is, what his mission is, and how people must respond to him. When these sayings are examined together, a clear picture of Jesus’ self-understanding emerges.

Jesus’ Preferred Self-Title: The Son of Man

The most frequent way Jesus speaks about himself is by using the title “the Son of Man.” This expression allows Jesus to speak about his authority, suffering, and future role without using politically or religiously charged titles. Through this title, Jesus claims authority that normally belongs to God. He says that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins and is Lord of the Sabbath. These claims place Jesus at the center of God’s activity, not merely as a teacher, but as one who acts with divine authority.

At the same time, Jesus uses the same title to speak about suffering and rejection. He repeatedly states that the Son of Man must suffer, be killed, and rise again. This shows that Jesus understands his mission as one that involves sacrifice rather than triumph. Finally, Jesus speaks of the Son of Man coming in glory to judge the world. In this way, the same figure who suffers is also the one who will rule and judge. This combination of humility and authority is central to Jesus’ self-understanding.

Jesus as the One Sent by God

Jesus frequently speaks of himself as the one sent by God. He declares that he has been sent to proclaim the good news of the kingdom and that receiving him is the same as receiving God who sent him. This language shows that Jesus sees himself as acting fully on God’s behalf. His words and actions carry divine weight, not because he speaks independently, but because he is completely aligned with God’s purpose.

This understanding also shapes Jesus’ sense of urgency. He speaks of his mission as something that must be fulfilled. He is not free to abandon it or redefine it according to human expectations. His life is oriented toward obedience to the One who sent him.

Jesus’ Unique Relationship with God

One of the most striking self-statements in the Synoptics is Jesus’ claim to a unique relationship with God. He says that no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. This statement goes beyond the language of prophets or teachers. Jesus presents himself as the unique mediator of the knowledge of God. Access to God is now inseparably connected to him.

Jesus as the Center of Decision and Salvation

Jesus also speaks of himself as the decisive factor in people’s relationship with God. He says that acknowledging or rejecting him determines one’s standing before God. Loyalty to Jesus becomes more important than social acceptance, family ties, or even life itself. In this way, Jesus places himself at the center of salvation. Faith is no longer only about obedience to laws, but about response to him.

Jesus and the Meaning of His Death

Jesus speaks clearly about his coming death and gives it saving meaning. He describes his life as being given “for many” and speaks of his blood as the blood of the covenant. His death is not an accident or failure, but part of his mission. He understands it as an act of service and self-giving for others.

Jesus as Future Judge

Finally, Jesus speaks of himself as the one who will judge the world. In his parables and teachings about the final judgment, it is before him that people must give account. This role, traditionally belonging to God alone, is claimed by Jesus without hesitation. Yet this judgment is connected to mercy, justice, and compassion, reflecting the character of God himself.

Conclusion

In the Synoptic Gospels, Jesus speaks about himself with humility and authority combined. He does not make loud claims, yet his words reveal an extraordinary self-understanding. He sees himself as the Son of Man who serves and suffers, the one sent by God, the unique revealer of the Father, the center of salvation, and the future judge of all. Through these self-references, Jesus invites people not merely to admire him, but to trust him, follow him, and shape their lives around him.

God According to Jesus

 In the time of Jesus, people believed strongly in God, but their understanding of God had taken a particular shape through long religious tradition. God was seen as holy, powerful, and completely above the world. He was believed to live in heaven, far removed from ordinary human life. Because of this distance, many people related to God more through fear and obedience than through trust and closeness.

God was known mainly through the Law of Moses and its many rules. Obeying commandments, observing purity laws, and following religious traditions were considered the primary ways to please God. Faith was largely measured by outward obedience rather than by an inner relationship with God. For many, God was encountered through religious systems—through the Temple, priests, sacrifices, and approved rituals. Access to God was limited and often controlled by religious authorities.

God was also commonly understood as a strict judge. He rewarded the righteous and punished sinners. Although God’s mercy was acknowledged, judgment dominated people’s thinking. As a result, sinners, the poor, and those considered impure often felt far from God. Many believed that God especially favored the religiously faithful and morally upright, while others stood outside His concern.

Another important feature of this popular understanding was the expectation that God would act mainly in the future. Justice, restoration, and God’s final victory over evil were expected at the end of time. Life in the present world, with all its suffering and injustice, had to be endured patiently. Faith meant waiting for God’s future intervention rather than expecting His transforming work in everyday life.

Into this religious world, Jesus came with a deeply different way of speaking about God. Jesus did not deny God’s holiness or authority, but he reshaped how people understood God’s heart. Most strikingly, Jesus spoke of God as “Father.” This was not merely a title, but a new way of relating to God. God was no longer distant and unapproachable; He was near, caring, and personally involved in human life. Jesus even used the intimate word “Abba,” expressing trust and closeness.

Jesus also shifted the focus from rule-keeping to relationship. While he respected the Law, he taught that God desires mercy more than sacrifice and love more than ritual correctness. Obedience, according to Jesus, flows from trust and love, not fear. True faith is not measured by strict legal observance, but by a heart that seeks God and reflects His compassion.

In Jesus’ teaching, mercy came before judgment. Jesus showed that God actively seeks sinners rather than avoiding them. Through parables like the lost sheep and the prodigal son, Jesus revealed God as one who forgives freely and rejoices when the lost are restored. Judgment still belonged to God, but it was not the first word—grace was.

Jesus also taught that God is active in the present, not only in the future. He proclaimed that the kingdom of God had come near. Through healing the sick, forgiving sins, and welcoming the outcast, Jesus demonstrated that God’s rule was already breaking into human life. God was not waiting for the end of history to act; He was at work here and now.

Finally, Jesus made God accessible to all. God was no longer tied only to the Temple or religious institutions. The poor, the sinner, the outsider, and the marginalized were invited into God’s presence. Jesus revealed a God whose power is shown not through domination, but through love, service, and self-giving compassion.

In summary, while people in Jesus’ time often understood God as distant, law-centered, and future-oriented, Jesus revealed God as a near and loving Father, active in the present, rich in mercy, and open to all. Jesus did not introduce a new God, but he revealed the true heart of God in a way that challenged and transformed existing religious assumptions.