One of the biggest objections to Christianity is that Jesus Christ allegedly never claimed to be God in any of the Gospel accounts. People who argue this say that the idea of Jesus’ divinity was a later accretion, by either an apostle or some other theologian in church history. So to put this accusation to rest I’ve compiled a list of passages from Matthew, Mark, Luke and John that demonstrate that Jesus was God. This isn’t an exhaustive list, but I think what I’ve written here is enough to prove my argument. I’ll provide additional commentary as I see fit.

“Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” But immediately, when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, He said to them, “Why do you reason about these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise, take up your bed and walk’?  But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the paralytic,  “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.”  Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!” – Mark 2:7-12

“Seeing their faith, He said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven you.” The scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this man who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?” But Jesus, aware of their reasonings, answered and said to them, “Why are you reasoning in your hearts? “Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins have been forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? “But, so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,”—He said to the paralytic—“I say to you, get up, and pick up your stretcher and go home.” Immediately he got up before them, and picked up what he had been lying on, and went home glorifying God. They were all struck with astonishment and began glorifying God; and they were filled with fear, saying, “We have seen remarkable things today.” – Luke 5:20-26

This instance clearly demonstrates that Jesus was God for two reasons.

First, when the Pharisees accuse him of blasphemy by claiming to be God, Jesus doesn’t deny the accusation. In fact, he affirms his authority to forgive sins, an authority every Jew both then and now understood to belong to God alone. If this was not a claim to be God, the Pharisees would never have accused him of blasphemy – and thus, would never have attempted to stone him or have him crucified.

Second, when Jesus heals the man, he doesn’t appeal to any authority other than himself. In the Old Testament when healings were performed, the healer had to rely on God’s power to accomplish it. Jesus uniquely does not require reliance on any power but his own to perform healings, which is further evidence of his divinity.

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

“And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him.” – Matthew 28:9

“When they [the disciples] saw Him, they worshiped Him, but some doubted.” – Matthew 28:17

Notice that Jesus accepted his disciples’ worship without correcting them, showing that he saw himself as equal with God. The Greek word used here for worship, proskuneo, is used when Jesus affirms that God alone is to be worshipped (Matthew 4:10), and when an angel rebukes the apostle John for almost worshipping him, saying that kind of reverence is for God alone. (Revelation 22:9.)

“The Jews picked up stones again to stone Him. Jesus answered them, “I showed you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you stoning Me?” The Jews answered Him, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make Yourself out to be God.” Jesus answered them, “Has it not been written in your Law, ‘I SAID, YOU ARE GODS’? “If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), do you say of Him, whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? “If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; but if I do them, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I in the Father.” Therefore they were seeking again to seize Him, and He eluded their grasp.” – John 10:31-39.

“Then Jesus said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas replied, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” – John 20:27-29.

As with before, note the lack of correction on Jesus’ part. He does not contradict Thomas when Thomas calls him “My God.”

“The Jews said to Him, “Now we know that You have a demon. Abraham died, and the prophets also; and You say, ‘If anyone keeps My word, he will never taste of death.’ “Surely You are not greater than our father Abraham, who died? The prophets died too; whom do You make Yourself out to be?” Jesus answered, “If I glorify Myself, My glory is nothing; it is My Father who glorifies Me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God’; and you have not come to know Him, but I know Him; and if I say that I do not know Him, I will be a liar like you, but I do know Him and keep His word. “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.” So the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.” Therefore they picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple.” – John 8:52-59

The “I am” statement Jesus uses here are the same words God uses to describe Himself to Moses in Exodus 3:14. In the Jewish culture of that day, such a statement would be interpreted as a claim to be God. Again, if Jesus didn’t mean that, the Pharisees would never have tried to stone him. 

Conclusion

Jesus Christ didn’t go around telling people, “I am God, second person of the Holy Trinity” during his years on Earth. But as demonstrated above, that wasn’t necessary at all for him to show that he was God incarnate. To deny that Jesus claimed to be God would be like saying a man who walked up to you and said, “You’re under arrest. Put your hands behind your back. You have the right to remain silent…” never claimed to be a police officer. Jesus’ words and actions (and in some cases, lack of action) showed that he saw himself as being equal to God, and this was understood by his apostles and by every Christian that’s ever lived since.