Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  2000 Jesus Christ  »  2003 Jesus Christ, qualities of  »  2006 God, the Son  »  2078 Jesus Christ, sonship of

Jesus Christ is described as Son of David, Son of Man and Son of God. His sonship speaks of his divinity and humanity and is closely associated with his role as promised Messiah, suffering Saviour, risen Lord and coming judge and king. It also speaks of his intimate, obedient and unique relationship with his Father and of his mission to enable people to become children of God through faith in him.

Jesus Christ as the Son of David

He is physically descended from David

Matthew 1:1 See also Matthew 1:2-20; Luke 1:27,32; Luke 2:4,11; Luke 3:23-38; Romans 1:3; 2 Timothy 2:8; Revelation 22:16

He is the promised royal Messiah of David's line

Isaiah 16:5 See also 2 Samuel 7:12-16 pp 1 Chronicles 17:11-14; Psalm 89:1-4; Psalm 132:11,17; Isaiah 9:7; Isaiah 11:1; Jeremiah 23:5-6; Jeremiah 33:15-16; Ezekiel 34:23-24; Ezekiel 37:24-25 Zechariah 3:8; Zechariah 6:12

He is both the Son and Lord of David

Matthew 22:41-45 pp Mark 12:35-37 pp Luke 20:41-44 See also Psalm 110:1

Jesus Christ as the Son of Man

Mark 2:10 pp Matthew 9:6 pp Luke 5:24 John 3:13 See also Daniel 7:13-14; Mark 2:28 pp Matthew 12:8 pp Luke 6:5; John 1:51; John 6:27; John 8:28

Jesus Christ as the Son of God

His divine origin and divinity

Luke 1:32-35 See also John 1:13,18; John 5:18; John 17:5,24

His intimate relationship with the Father

Mark 14:36 “Abba” was a term of intimacy and familiarity that children used with their own fathers. See also Matthew 3:17 pp Mark 1:11 pp Luke 3:22; Luke 2:49; John 1:18,32-34; John 3:35; John 5:20; John 8:38; John 14:31; John 17:23

His knowledge of the Father's will

Matthew 11:25-27 pp Luke 10:21-22 See also John 6:45-46; John 8:55; John 14:13-16; John 15:15

His obedience to the Father's mission

Matthew 26:42 pp Mark 14:36 pp Luke 22:42 See also Matthew 3:13-17 pp Mark 1:9-11 pp Luke 3:21-22 His baptism; Matthew 4:1-11 pp Luke 4:1-13 His temptation; Matthew 12:50; John 3:17; John 8:55; John 10:17,36; John 14:31; John 17:8

His sharing in the Father's work

John 3:34; John 4:34; John 5:17,21-26; John 6:40; John 8:16; John 9:4; John 12:49-50; John 14:11

His role as promised Messiah

Matthew 16:16 pp Luke 9:20 See also 2 Samuel 7:12-14 pp 1 Chronicles 17:11-13; Psalm 89:26-27; Isaiah 9:6-7; Matthew 1:23; Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 2:15; Hosea 11:1; Matthew 26:63-64 pp Mark 14:61-62 pp Luke 22:70; Luke 4:41; Luke 22:29-30; John 1:49; John 11:27; John 20:31; Acts 13:33; Hebrews 1:5; Hebrews 5:5; Psalm 2:7

His sharing the Father's character and being

Hebrews 1:3 See also John 1:14; John 5:26; John 6:57; John 10:30; John 17:5

The uniqueness of his sonship

John 3:16 See also John 1:18; John 3:18; Hebrews 1:3

Jesus Christ's disciples become children of God through him

Galatians 4:4-7 See also Matthew 12:50; John 3:16-18; John 5:23-24; John 6:40; John 11:26-27; John 14:1-2; John 20:31; Romans 8:13-17; Ephesians 1:5-6

Jesus Christ as the son of natural parents

Matthew 1:16,25; Matthew 13:55 pp Mark 6:3; Luke 2:7,48; Luke 3:23; Luke 4:22; John 1:45; John 6:42; Acts 1:14

See also

1250  Abba
1510  Trinity, the
2012  Christ, authority
2018  Christ, divinity
2215  Christ, Son of David
2218  Christ, Son of God
2221  Christ, Son of Man
2230  Messiah, coming of
2366  Christ, prophecies concerning
2535  Christ, family of
2540  Christ, genealogy
6608  adoption