Jesus Said I Am GOD – Jesus said I Am GOD and He accepted all worship

…and He accepted all worship

Did Jesus actually say, “I AM GOD?” The answer I’m about to give you may be surprising. It may even be the first time you’ve heard it. YES… Jesus said, “I AM GOD.” As it is written in the Bible, God declared His own name to His people nearly 5000 years ago and proclaimed that all of His people would know Him by that name.

And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ” Moreover God said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: ‘The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My name forever, and this is my memorial to all generations.’Exodus 3:14-15

God said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, I AM has sent me to you… This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations.” – God introduces himself as “I AM” and says His name is to be remembered forever by the children of Israel. These children of Israel are the Jews.

The Jews knew God by His name “I AM.” It was written down. It was talked about in the Temple. It was common knowledge among the families of the Jews as it was passed down from generation to generation. EVERYONE in the Jewish community has known the name of God for thousands of years. Let that really sink in.

Then Jesus came…

During the time of Jesus’ ministry, people of the land talked about His amazing teachings and miraculous works that they had seen Him perform.

Jesus tells a paralytic, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” The scribes and the Pharisees then say, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Jesus answered, “Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise up and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the man who was paralyzed, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” Immediately he rose up before them, took up what he had been lying on, and departed to his own house, glorifying God. Luke 5:20-26

Jesus tells the paralytic that his sins are forgiven, an act that the Jewish leaders know only God can perform. Jesus then miraculously heals the paralytic who then gets up and walks and then Jesus declares, “But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins.” Jesus is quoting from the Jewish Bible¹ specifically the book of Daniel where it refers to the coming Messiah. This prophesied Messiah is known as “the Son of Man.”

I was watching in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, And they brought Him near before Him. Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, Which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one which shall not be destroyed. Daniel 7:13-14

Jesus is referring to himself as the Son of Man AND as the Messiah. The Jewish leaders see Jesus’ statements and actions as blasphemy. But they have not heard Jesus drop the actual bomb… yet…

And Jesus said to them, ‘You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I AM, you will die in your sins.’ The Jews then ask Jesus, ‘Who are you?’John 8:23-25

They asked who Jesus was claiming to be, because they know the term “I AM” and are confused.

‘When you lift up² the Son of Man, then you will know that I AM…’ John 8:28

Again Jesus says he is “the Son of Man” and declares His name, “I AM.”

Shortly after, Jesus said, ‘Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day, and He saw it and was glad.’ The Jews then responded, ‘You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?’ Jesus replied, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.’ Then they took up stones to throw at Him… John 8:56-59

Jesus said He was in the presence of Abraham over 1700 years prior to this event and then again claims to be “I AM.” The result is that the Jews try to stone Jesus.³

Jesus answered them, ‘I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me. But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.’ Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him. John 10:25-31

Jesus says, “I give eternal life” and “I and My Father are one.” The Jews know that God is ONE⁴ and that no simple man could be equal with Father God and no one but God can give eternal life. They see Jesus as speaking blasphemy and so they go to stone him. Yet again…

Jesus has taken the name “I AM” for himself, over and over again. Jesus says that He will give people eternal life and that He and His Father are one. The Jews clearly are incensed by these claims from Jesus, so much so that they pick up stones, again and again from the ground, to stone and kill Jesus… But why??? Up to this point they commented that what Jesus has said and done were considered blasphemy, but now we get some clarity from the Jews themselves as to why.

Jesus answered them, “Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those works do you stone Me?” The Jews answered Him, saying, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God.”John 10:32-33

Jesus said, “I Am God.” Repeatedly. The Jews knew exactly what Jesus was saying — their intention to stone and kill Him for blasphemy clearly demonstrates their understanding of Jesus’ claim to be God. But… if Jesus IS actually God, why weren’t at least some of the people worshiping Him as God? Well, maybe they were and we just weren’t paying attention?

For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?”John 5:46-47

Jesus provides more insight as to his identity. Moses wrote about Jesus. Just let that sink in…

I’m going to illustrate how Jews worshiped God by showing you biblically what Jewish worship looked like. Some do’s and don’ts, so to speak, so that you can see their practices regarding worship in the Old Testament:

And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, “What does my Lord say to His servant?” – Joshua 5:14
Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. – Job 1:20
Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him, saying… – Genesis 17:3

Falling on ones face is a literal statement here. They would drop in humility, showing reverence to God in worship. That’s important to know as we now look at these inappropriate examples of worship as described in the New Testament:

As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I myself am also a man.” – Acts 10:25-26
At this I (John) fell at his feet (an angel) to worship him. But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! – Revelation 19:10

Neither the disciple Peter nor an angel, would accept worship, and they made sure to call out those who fell at their feet because these people were worshiping that which is not worthy of worship. Only God is worthy of worship. Now we know how the Jews should and did worship, so let’s look at what happened with Jesus:

And when they⁵ had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. – Matthew 2:11Matthew 2:11

Worship a child? What would lead grown men to do such a thing?

Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him (Jesus), saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.” Matthew 14:33

They worshiped Jesus in the customary Jewish fashion. And they called Him the Son of God. What does this title mean, Son of God?

Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves Him who is begotten of Him1 John 5:1

This takes a bit to process. The Bible says Jesus comes forth; He is begotten of God. Not created, but is born in the flesh after having eternally existed as deity.⁶ Bottom line… These people are worshiping Jesus and He accepts that worship.

Jesus heard that they had cast him⁷ out; and when He had found him, He said to him, “Do you believe in the Son of God?” He answered and said, “Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?” And Jesus said to him, “You have both seen Him and it is He who is talking with you.” Then he said, “Lord, I believe!” And he worshiped Him. John 9:35-38

Again, there is that “Son of God” comment and another person who worshiped Jesus as was a customary Jewish practice.

Watch what happens when Jesus waits to be taken in captivity, shortly before His crucifixion. Jesus was in the Garden after preparing His heart with what was to come

From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day Matthew 16:21

and stood there awaiting His captors’ arrival.

When Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples over the Brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered. And Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with His disciples. Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops⁸, and officers from the chief priests⁹ and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, “Whom are you seeking?” They answered Him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I AM.” And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. Now when He said to them, “I AM,” they drew back and fell to the ground.John 18:1-6

Let that marinate for a minute. Potentially hundreds of people, coming to arrest Jesus, including the one who was paid to betray Jesus, drew back and fell to the ground. Jesus says the words “I AM” and something caused them to draw back and fall at the presence of Jesus. What was it?

Was it an earthquake? There’s nothing in the text to indicate that. Was it just Jesus claiming to be God? Perhaps. Some had worshiped Him because of His claim, but those were people who believed what He had said and were moved to follow him.

Or was it the power of God, in the flesh and form of Jesus, that humbled these men to the ground as He uttered His name, “I AM?” I don’t know of a better explanation, from what the text says. Either way, it triggered something in them and they fell to the ground. Just at Jesus mentioning His name “I AM“, they drew back and fell to the ground as is the Jewish practice to worship. They ultimately show reverence to Jesus, and again He accepted what appears to be worship that is only reserved to the one who was, and is, and is to come – God Almighty¹⁰ ¹¹ – the person Jesus of Nazareth.

And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”Jesus said to Him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”John 20:28-19

Thomas not only believed that Jesus was God, but he called Him God, because he saw Him alive – after Jesus had been resurrected. Jesus said He would resurrect HIMSELF…

So the Jews answered and said to Him, “What sign do You show to us, since You do these things?”Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”Then the Jews said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?”But He was speaking of the temple of His body. John 2:18-21

..And then three days later Jesus was resurrected.¹²

So, let’s do a quick recap of what we have seen of Jesus. Jesus forgives sin. He heals the sick. He said He is “the Son of Man” as prophesied in the OT book of Daniel. He said He is “the Son of God.” He accepts worship time after time without rebuking anyone for false worship. He says He is the known name of God as stated in the Old Testament, “I AM” over and over and over. People who heard Jesus say these things responded in varied ways. Some wanted to kill Him, some followed Him, some called Him teacher and others fell down on their face in worship. But get this… in John 2 Jesus said He would raise himself from the grave… and then HE did just that…

Jesus said, “I AM GOD” and He accepted all worship.

If you have another answer for what happened, I’m all for having a dialogue on this subject. I was a skeptic for a majority of my life regarding this account of Jesus being God. I’ve had tons of questions, so I can appreciate people who have questions as well. If you have a question or questions, let me know. Let’s talk.

After all is said and done, here’s my question for you. If Jesus isn’t God, then who is He? Who do YOU say that Jesus is? Let me know your thoughts and… provide evidence.

If you found this content useful and would like to comment or contribute, join us at Patreon.com/JesusSaidIAmGod to connect with more content and even participate in what we research.

Lee Laird on Jesus said, “I AM GOD.”April 1, 2021
YEA God Dad
George saguilot on Jesus said, “I AM GOD.”February 25, 2021
I like very much your explanations about “I AM”
Kelly on Jesus said, “I AM GOD.”September 23, 2020
Excellent writeup for evidence of Jesus actually being God.

This is very good… and very thorough. He has put a lot of work into this and I am very impressed. In the original Greek script of the New Testament the verb, “I am”, is pronounced “Amy”, but whenever Jesus says it, it is always preceded by the Greek word for, “I”, pronounced “eggo”, which gives the phrase extra emphasis. “Eggo Amy” is more powerful than simply “Amy”. Every time Jesus says “Eggo Amy” He is announcing that He is God. The listeners to his original words would have known that. Mark 6:50: “Do not fear. Eggo Amy. I AM.” I really cannot think of any way to improve this article.”Dr. Timothy Allen