Jesus as Son of God

Key Texts in Mark

• The Baptism - go
• The Transfiguration - go
• The Trial before the High Priest - go
• The Crucifixion - go

Mark begins his gospel announcing "the good news about Jesus Christ, Son of God" (Mark 1:1). It could be argued that the whole purpose of Mark writing his Gospel is for his readers to have faith in Jesus as the Son of God.

Like all the titles of Jesus, it is important to understand what Mark means by "Son of God" from its original context. In the Hebrew Bible (The Old Testament) Israel often referred to God as Father. Israel, therefore, is often referred to as the Son of God, e.g. 'I brought my Son out of Egypt' (Hosea 11:1). There is no doubt that by the time of Jesus it was regarded as a Messianic title. The question at the trial in the High Priest's house is, 'Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?' (Mark 14:61). Jesus was obviously conscious of being Son of God. The question is did he mean no more than he was the Messiah? Did he claim for himself a unique sonship with God? Elsewhere in the Gospel Jesus says, "About that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, not even the Son; only the Father." (Mark 13:32). This would suggest that the Son is placed above men and angels and has a position subordinate only to God Himself.

Other than the opening sentence of Mark's Gospel, the title is found in only three other places; at the beginning (Jesus' Baptism - Mark 1:11) the middle (The Transfiguration °© Mark 9:7) and at the end (The Crucifixion, Mark 15:39).

The Baptism (Mark 1:9-11) - click for full text

By being baptised by John the Baptist, Jesus was affirming his commitment to God. It marks the beginning of his public ministry. At this crucial moment in his ministry, God shows his approval by not only speaking directly from heaven but also sending his Holy Spirit which comes down upon Jesus like a dove. Later Christian writers saw this event as having special significance. Firstly, other than the Transfiguration it is the only time when God speaks in the New Testament. The message is simple if you are looking for a revelation of God, you need look only at Jesus. Secondly, present at Jesus' baptism is the Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

The Transfiguration (Mark 9:2-8) - click for full text

The Transfiguration is an unusual event in the life of Jesus. One explanation is that it forms part of a post-resurrection experience that Jesus' disciples experienced after Jesus' death. The account of Jesus appearing with Moses and Elijah has been written back into the Gospel story. Traditionally it has been explained as Jesus giving his disciples a preview of his resurrection. Once again God confirms Jesus as his Son. The story is packed with symbolism from the Old Testament. The mountain, cloud and voice from within it are powerful reminders of Moses' encounter with God on Mount Sinai. The two great Old Testament figures who appear along side Jesus are also highly symbolic. Moses represents the law and Elijah the prophets. By appearing along side him Jesus was showing that he came to fulfil both the law and the prophets.

In the Transfiguration Jesus' true nature of sonship is revealed. His human nature gives way to revealing his true divine nature.

The Trial before the High Priest (Mark 14: 53-65) - click for full text

After Jesus is arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane he is taken to stand trial before the Jewish Council, the Sanhedrin. The Sanhedrin was made up of seventy members mainly the Pharisees, Sadducees and of course the High Priest. News of Jesus over turning the tables in the Temple had caused a stir among the Jewish authorities. By challenging the practice of exchanging money for temple money and the buying and selling of pigeons for the ritual sacrifices Jesus was challenging the whole system of Temple worship. A threat to the Temple was considered to be blasphemy and as such punishable by death. However, the evidence of the witnesses brought against Jesus should have been inadmissible because it was found to be contradictory. They brought false accusations that Jesus said, 'I will destroy this Temple' but they could not agree on what he had actually said (Mark 14:58-59).

Jesus remained silent during the proceedings. Eventually the High Priest questioned him himself and asked him, 'Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?' Jesus could not remain silent any longer. He replied, 'I am and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power and coming with the clouds of heaven'. Jesus was alluding to the reference of the Son of Man found in the Book of Daniel but by claiming to be the Son of God (or Son of the Blessed One) Jesus was claiming equality with God. Such a claim was indeed blasphemy. Hearing this the high priest tore his robes and was convinced that there was ample reason for the case to be referred to the Roman governor with a recommendation for a sentence of death.

The Crucifixion (Mark 15:21-41) - click for full text

The last time the title is used in Mark's Gospel is unusual in that unlike the other two occasions it is not God who uses the title but a Roman army officer. The incident occurs just after Jesus' death. We are told how the curtain in the Temple was torn from top to bottom. According to Jewish custom no one was allowed to enter the Holy of Holies except the High Priest once a year. Other than that access was denied. The tearing of the curtain which separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the Temple, was a sign that the barrier separating man from God had been removed once and for all. The declaration of Jesus as being the Son of God by the army officer was unusual in that he was a gentile (non-Jew). Mark has almost reached the conclusion of his Gospel. As he set out in his introduction, the purpose of him writing is so that all, Jews and Gentiles, might have faith in Jesus as the Son of God.