Is Jesus Yahweh?
The question, “Is Jesus Yahweh?” stands at the heart of Christian theology and faith. Yahweh is the covenant name revealed in the Old Testament, describing the God of Israel who creates, redeems, and rules all nations. The New Testament presents Jesus as more than Messiah or prophet; he shares in the divine identity of Yahweh, bearing his names, roles, and authority. Early Jewish writings, Second Temple expectations, and the “Two Powers in Heaven” tradition prepared the way for this confession. The answer is not a simple yes or no—it requires attention to the biblical testimony, the expectations of Israel, and the theological implications of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. (For a fuller treatment of this topic see, THE DIVINE IDENTITY OF JESUS AS YAHWEH IN THE SCRIPTURES AND SECOND TEMPLE JEWISH THOUGHT.)
1. The divine name Yahweh and its Old Testament context
Yahweh is the personal name of Israel’s God, revealed to Moses at the burning bush: “I AM WHO I AM” (Exodus 3:14–15). This name signifies God’s eternal presence, self-existence, and faithfulness. In Israel’s Scriptures, Yahweh alone:
Creates and sustains the world (Genesis 1:1; Isaiah 44:24).
Saves and forgives sins (Exodus 34:6–7; Isaiah 43:25).
Rules as judge over nations (Psalm 96:10–13).
Receives exclusive worship (Deuteronomy 6:4–5).
To ask, “Is Jesus Yahweh?” is to ask whether the New Testament attributes these divine roles and titles to Jesus of Nazareth. Scripture consistently answers by applying Yahweh’s prerogatives to him.
2. Jesus claims Yahweh’s identity in the Gospels
The Gospels record several moments where Jesus identifies himself with Yahweh:
“I AM” statements: Jesus declares, “Before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58), echoing Exodus 3:14. His audience recognized this as a divine claim, picking up stones to execute him for blasphemy.
Authority to forgive sins: When Jesus forgives the paralytic (Mark 2:5–7), religious leaders protest, “Who can forgive sins but God alone?” The implication is clear—Jesus assumes Yahweh’s role.
Unity with the Father: In John 10:30, Jesus says, “I and the Father are one.” The Jewish leaders immediately attempt to stone him, understanding the statement as a claim to deity.
Receiving worship: Whereas angels and prophets reject worship (Revelation 22:8–9; Acts 14:11–15), Jesus receives it (Matthew 14:33; 28:9, 17).
These actions reveal more than a prophet; they point to Jesus as sharing the divine identity of Yahweh.
3. New Testament writers identify Jesus as Yahweh
The apostles and early church proclaimed Jesus as Yahweh incarnate. Consider three areas:
Titles applied to both Yahweh and Jesus
Yahweh: “The first and the last” (Isaiah 44:6).
Jesus: “I am the first and the last” (Revelation 1:17).
Yahweh: “Every knee shall bow” (Isaiah 45:23).
Jesus: “At the name of Jesus every knee should bow” (Philippians 2:10–11).
Works attributed to Jesus
Creation: “All things were made through him” (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16).
Sustaining: “He upholds the universe by the word of his power” (Hebrews 1:3).
Judgment: “The Father has given all judgment to the Son” (John 5:22).
Worship commanded
Psalm 97:7: “Worship him, all you gods!”
Hebrews 1:6 applies this to Jesus: “Let all God’s angels worship him.”
These parallels show the New Testament authors understood Jesus not as a lesser deity but as Yahweh himself.
4. Second Temple Jewish thought and the “Two Powers in Heaven”
Second Temple Judaism included diverse expectations of the Messiah—ranging from a political liberator to a divine king. Texts like Daniel 7 describe a “Son of Man” receiving everlasting dominion, a role reserved for Yahweh. The apocalyptic book of 1 Enoch portrays the “Son of Man” as preexistent, enthroned, and worshiped, aligning closely with New Testament descriptions of Jesus.
The “Two Powers in Heaven” tradition within Jewish thought described two divine figures sharing authority. While later rabbis condemned this as heresy, in the first century it was an acceptable interpretation of certain Scriptures. For Christians, this tradition provided a framework to understand how Jesus could be distinct from the Father yet still fully Yahweh. Passages like Genesis 18 (Yahweh appearing as three men) and Judges 6 (the Angel of Yahweh speaking as Yahweh) already suggest a complexity in God’s self-revelation.
5. Objections and clarifications
Some argue against Jesus’ deity by citing his prayers, statements of submission, or his death. Yet these fit within the framework of the incarnation:
Submission to the Father: Jesus, “though he was in the form of God…emptied himself” (Philippians 2:6–7), taking on human nature with real dependence on the Father.
Limited knowledge: In Mark 13:32, Jesus admits not knowing the hour of his return. This reflects his voluntary limitation in his earthly ministry, not a denial of divinity.
His death: While God cannot cease to exist, Jesus died in his human nature. His divine nature remained eternal, ensuring the resurrection’s victory over death.
These objections highlight the mystery of the incarnation but do not diminish the biblical witness that Jesus is Yahweh.
6. The Gospel significance of Jesus as Yahweh
The question, “Is Jesus Yahweh?” is not merely theoretical—it defines the Gospel itself. If Jesus is Yahweh, then:
His sacrifice is sufficient: Only God can bear the world’s sins (Isaiah 53; 2 Corinthians 5:21).
His kingdom is eternal: He rules with Yahweh’s authority (Daniel 7:14; Revelation 11:15).
His presence fulfills prophecy: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive… and call his name Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23).
His return consummates history: The same Yahweh who came in salvation will return in judgment (Zechariah 14:9; Revelation 22:12–13).
Understanding Jesus as Yahweh enlarges the Gospel beyond personal forgiveness to include the restoration of creation, the vindication of God’s people, and the renewal of all things.
Conclusion
Is Jesus Yahweh? According to the Bible, the answer is yes. The New Testament presents Jesus as sharing Yahweh’s name, roles, and authority. Second Temple Jewish thought prepared categories for this belief, and the early church confessed it as central to the faith. Jesus is not the Father, but he is fully Yahweh—the eternal Son who became flesh to redeem the world. To confess Jesus as Yahweh is to acknowledge him as the Lord of creation, the Savior of sinners, and the coming King whose reign will never end.
Bible verses related to Jesus as Yahweh
“God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM.’” (Exodus 3:14)
“Before Abraham was, I am.” (John 8:58)
“I and the Father are one.” (John 10:30)
“In the beginning was the Word… and the Word was God.” (John 1:1)
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow.” (Philippians 2:10)
“To us there is one God, the Father… and one Lord, Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 8:6)
“He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature.” (Hebrews 1:3)
“I am the first and the last.” (Revelation 1:17)
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13)
“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ.” (Revelation 11:15)
