Dethroning Jesus: What Popular Culture Says About Jesus – Part 8

[This material is excerpted from our television series, “The Battle to Dethrone Jesus,” with Dr. Darrell Bock and Dr. Daniel Wallace. The entire series is available in our online store.]

Who Did Jesus Say That He Was?

The Promised Deliverer

Dr. John Ankerberg: If someone is investigating the historical Jesus, how can they determine what He claimed about His own identity?

Dr. Darrell Bock: To understand Jesus' self-identity, we must look at key moments where He defined His mission. In Luke 4:21, Jesus reads from Isaiah 61 in the synagogue—a passage about the Spirit anointing a deliverer to bring the "year of jubilee"—and declares, “Today this has been fulfilled in your hearing.” This marks Jesus as the promised figure of salvation, belonging to the eschatological era of God's rescue.

Contextualizing Jesus' Ministry

Dr. Darrell Bock: A second important passage occurs when John the Baptist sends messengers to ask, “Are you the one to come?” [Luke 7:18-23]. Jesus’ response mirrors the Dead Sea Scroll text 4Q521, which prophesied that the Messiah would open the eyes of the blind, set prisoners free, and make the dead alive. Jesus was signaling that His actions were the fulfillment of long-standing messianic expectations.

The Trial Before the Sanhedrin

Dr. Darrell Bock: The most significant claim occurs during Jesus' trial before the Sanhedrin. When asked if He is the Christ, Jesus responds: “I am, and you will see the son of man sitting at the right hand of power and coming with the clouds of heaven.” [Mark 14:62]. The High Priest tears his clothes in response, recognizing this as a claim to blasphemy. By claiming to sit at the right hand of God, Jesus was declaring His right to operate as a cosmic judge—a position that, in Jewish theology, belongs to God alone.

Humanity and Deity: The Son of Man

Dr. Darrell Bock: The title "son of man" from Daniel 7 describes a human being who rides the clouds. In Old Testament imagery, riding the clouds is an attribute of deity. Jesus applies this to Himself, essentially portraying a human being doing "deity stuff." The resurrection serves as God’s ultimate vote on this claim.

A Unique Claim to Exaltation

Dr. Daniel Wallace: Jesus turns the tables on Caiaphas. He isn't just claiming to be a king; He is claiming to occupy God's throne room. While the apostle Paul in Acts 14:14 tears his clothes in horror when people mistake him for a god—recognizing that such worship is blasphemy—Jesus welcomes the role of the Son of God. He is in a category distinct from human followers and even angels, who in Revelation 19:10 refuse worship. Jesus is unique in His claims, and His divinity is central to the New Testament witness.

Next up: Part 9