The Sonship of Jesus: Mark | Cross & Crescent Ministries

The Sonship of Jesus:

Mark

Question: Does the Gospel of Mark identify Jesus as God’s Son?

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Overview

The Sonship of Jesus is taught throughout the Gospel of Mark. Those who refer to Jesus as the Son of God or accuse Jesus of claiming to be God's Son are as follows.

Mark (1:1-3)

God, The Father (1:9-11 & 9:2-8)

Jesus (12:1-12, 13:32 & 14:55-65)

Non-Jews (15:37-39)

Demons (3:7-12 & 5:1-13)

The Jewish Religious Leaders (14:55-65)

It should be noted that the Sonship of Jesus (as well as the Fatherhood of God) has nothing to do with physical, biological or sexual procreation. A Son of God, according to the Bible, is someone who represents God and acts with the authority of God, and this is applied to humans and angels. Simply put, God is a Father because God has sons and daughters, and the sons and daughters of God are those who represent God and act with the authority of God.

References to the Sonship of Jesus in the Gospel of Mark are especially significant when contrasted with the Quran. The Quran (although claiming to be a continuation of the religion of Jesus) states that it is highly inappropriate to associate Allah with Fatherhood or to suggest that Allah has children in any sense (2:116-117, 5:18, 6:100-101, 17:110-111, 19:88-95, 21:25-28, 25:1-3, 39:4, 72:1-5 & 112:1-4), and this is explicitly denied when applied to the relationship between Allah and Jesus (4:171 & 9:30). In short, the Quran denies the religion of Jesus by denying the Sonship of Jesus and the Fatherhood of God.

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Bible Passages - Mark

Mark 1:1-3

(1) The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, (2) as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way” - (3) “a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’”

Bible Passages - God, The Father

Mark 1:9-11

(9) At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. (10) Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. (11) And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

Mark 9:2-8

(2) After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. (3) His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. (4) And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.

(5) Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters - one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (6) (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)

(7) Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”

(8) Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.

Bible Passages - Jesus

Mark 12:1-12

(1) Jesus then began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a pit for the winepress and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and moved to another place. (2) At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants to collect from them some of the fruit of the vineyard. (3) But they seized him, beat him and sent him away empty-handed. (4) Then he sent another servant to them; they struck this man on the head and treated him shamefully. (5) He sent still another, and that one they killed. He sent many others; some of them they beat, others they killed.

(6) “He had one left to send, a son, whom he loved. He sent him last of all, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’

(7) “But the tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ (8) So they took him and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard.

(9) “What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others. (10) Haven’t you read this passage of Scripture: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; (11) the Lord has done this, and it is marvellous in our eyes’?”

(12) Then the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders looked for a way to arrest him because they knew he had spoken the parable against them. But they were afraid of the crowd; so they left him and went away.

Mark 13:32

(32) But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

Mark 14:55-65

(55) The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. (56) Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree.

(57) Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: (58) “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with human hands and in three days will build another, not made with hands.’” (59) Yet even then their testimony did not agree.

(60) Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” (61) But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer.

Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”

(62) “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

(63) The high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. (64) “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?”

They all condemned him as worthy of death. (65) Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, “Prophesy!” And the guards took him and beat him.

Bible Passages - Non-Jews

Mark 15:37-39

(37) With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. (38) The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. (39) And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”

Bible Passages - Demons

Mark 3:7-12

(7) Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lake, and a large crowd from Galilee followed. (8) When they heard about all he was doing, many people came to him from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, and the regions across the Jordan and around Tyre and Sidon. (9) Because of the crowd he told his disciples to have a small boat ready for him, to keep the people from crowding him. (10) For he had healed many, so that those with diseases were pushing forward to touch him. (11) Whenever the impure spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.” (12) But he gave them strict orders not to tell others about him.

Mark 5:1-13

(1) They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. (2) When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. (3) This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. (4) For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. (5) Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.

(6) When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. (7) He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!” (8) For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!”

(9) Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?”

“My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” (10) And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.

(11) A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. (12) The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.” (13) He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.

Bible Passages - The Jewish Religious Leaders

Mark 14:55-65

Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”

(62) “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

(63) The high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. (64) “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?”

They all condemned him as worthy of death. (65) Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, “Prophesy!” And the guards took him and beat him.

Quran Passages

The Quran 2:116-117 (Abdul Haleem)

(116) They have asserted, ‘God has a child.’ May He be exalted! No! Everything in the heavens and earth belongs to Him, everything devoutly obeys His will. (117) He is the Originator of the heavens and the earth, and when He decrees something, He says only, ‘Be,’ and it is.

The Quran 2:116-117 (Sahih International)

(116) They say, "Allah has taken a son." Exalted is He! Rather, to Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and the earth. All are devoutly obedient to Him,

(117) Originator of the heavens and the earth. When He decrees a matter, He only says to it, "Be," and it is.

The Quran 4:171 (Abdul Haleem)

(171) People of the Book, do not go to excess in your religion, and do not say anything about God except the truth: the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, was nothing more than a messenger of God, His word, directed to Mary, a spirit from Him. So believe in God and His messengers and do not speak of a ‘Trinity’ - stop [this], that is better for you - God is only one God, He is far above having a son, everything in the heavens and earth belongs to Him and He is the best one to trust.

The Quran 4:171 (Sahih International)

(171) O People of the Scripture, do not commit excess in your religion or say about Allah except the truth. The Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, was but a messenger of Allah and His word which He directed to Mary and a soul [created at a command] from Him. So believe in Allah and His messengers. And do not say, "Three"; desist - it is better for you. Indeed, Allah is but one God. Exalted is He above having a son. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. And sufficient is Allah as Disposer of affairs.

The Quran 5:18 (Abdul Haleem)

(18) The Jews and the Christians say, “We are the children of God and His beloved ones.” Say, “Then why does He punish you for your sins? You are merely human beings, part of His creation: He forgives whoever He will and punishes whoever He will. Control of the heavens and earth and all that is between them belongs to Him: all journeys lead to Him.”

The Quran 5:18 (Sahih International)

(18) But the Jews and the Christians say, "We are the children of Allah and His beloved." Say, "Then why does He punish you for your sins?" Rather, you are human beings from among those He has created. He forgives whom He wills, and He punishes whom He wills. And to Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them, and to Him is the [final] destination.

The Quran 6:100-101 (Abdul Haleem)

(100) Yet they made the jinn partners with God, though He created them, and without any true knowledge they attribute sons and daughters to Him. Glory be to Him! He is far higher than what they ascribe to Him, (101) the Creator of the heavens and earth! How could He have children when He has no spouse, when He created all things, and has full knowledge of all things?

The Quran 6:100-101 (Sahih International)

(100) But they have attributed to Allah partners - the jinn, while He has created them - and have fabricated for Him sons and daughters. Exalted is He and high above what they describe.

(101) [He is] Originator of the heavens and the earth. How could He have a son when He does not have a companion and He created all things? And He is, of all things, Knowing.

The Quran 9:30 (Abdul Haleem)

(30) The Jews said, ‘Ezra is the son of God,’ and the Christians said, ‘The Messiah is the son of God’: they said this with their own mouths, repeating what earlier disbelievers had said. May God confound them! How far astray they have been led!

The Quran 9:30 (Sahih International)

(30) The Jews say, "Ezra is the son of Allah"; and the Christians say, "The Messiah is the son of Allah." That is their statement from their mouths; they imitate the saying of those who disbelieved [before them]. May Allah destroy them; how are they deluded?

The Quran 17:110-111 (Abdul Haleem)

(110) Say [to them], ‘Call on God, or on the Lord of Mercy - whatever names you call Him, the best names belong to Him.’ [Prophet], do not be too loud in your prayer, or too quiet, but seek a middle way (111) and say, ‘Praise belongs to God, who has no child nor partner in His rule. He is not so weak as to need a protector. Proclaim His limitless greatness!’

The Quran 17:110-111 (Sahih International)

(110) Say, "Call upon Allah or call upon the Most Merciful. Whichever [name] you call - to Him belong the best names." And do not recite [too] loudly in your prayer or [too] quietly but seek between that an [intermediate] way.

(111) And say, "Praise to Allah, who has not taken a son and has had no partner in [His] dominion and has no [need of a] protector out of weakness; and glorify Him with [great] glorification."

The Quran 19:88-95 (Abdul Haleem)

(88) The disbelievers say, “The Lord of Mercy has offspring.” (89) How terrible is this thing you assert: (90) it almost causes the heavens to be torn apart, the earth to split asunder, the mountains to crumble to pieces, (91) that they attribute offspring to the Lord of Mercy. (92) It does not befit the Lord of Mercy [to have offspring]: (93) there is no one in the heavens or earth who will not come to the Lord of Mercy as a servant - (94) He has counted them all: He has numbered them exactly - (95) and they will each return to Him on the Day of Resurrection all alone.

The Quran 19:88-95 (Sahih International)

(88) And they say, "The Most Merciful has taken [for Himself] a son."

(89) You have done an atrocious thing.

(90) The heavens almost rupture therefrom and the earth splits open and the mountains collapse in devastation

(91) That they attribute to the Most Merciful a son.

(92) And it is not appropriate for the Most Merciful that He should take a son.

(93) There is no one in the heavens and earth but that he comes to the Most Merciful as a servant.

(94) He has enumerated them and counted them a [full] counting.

(95) And all of them are coming to Him on the Day of Resurrection alone.

The Quran 21:25-28 (Abdul Haleem)

(25) We never sent any messenger before you [Muhammad] without revealing to him: ‘There is no god but Me, so serve Me.’ (26) And they say, ‘The Lord of Mercy has taken offspring for Himself.’ May He be exalted! No! They are only His honoured servants: (27) they do not speak before He speaks and they act by His command. (28) He knows what is before them and what is behind them, and they cannot intercede without His permission - indeed they themselves stand in awe of Him.

The Quran 21:25-28 (Sahih International)

(25) And We sent not before you any messenger except that We revealed to him that, "There is no deity except Me, so worship Me."

(26) And they say, "The Most Merciful has taken a son." Exalted is He! Rather, they are [but] honored servants.

(27) They cannot precede Him in word, and they act by His command.

(28) He knows what is [presently] before them and what will be after them, and they cannot intercede except on behalf of one whom He approves. And they, from fear of Him, are apprehensive.

The Quran 25:1-3 (Abdul Haleem)

(1) Exalted is He who has sent the Differentiator down to His servant so that it may be a warning to all people. (2) It is He who has control over the heavens and earth and has no offspring - no one shares control with Him - and who created all things and made them to an exact measure. (3) Yet the disbelievers take as their gods things beneath Him that create nothing, and are themselves created, that can neither harm nor help themselves, and have no control over death, life, or resurrection.

The Quran 25:1-3 (Sahih International)

(1) Blessed is He who sent down the Criterion upon His Servant that he may be to the worlds a warner -

(2) He to whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and who has not taken a son and has not had a partner in dominion and has created each thing and determined it with [precise] determination.

(3) But they have taken besides Him gods which create nothing, while they are created, and possess not for themselves any harm or benefit and possess not [power to cause] death or life or resurrection.

The Quran 39:4 (Abdul Haleem)

(4) God could have chosen any of His creation He willed for offspring, but He is far above this! He is the One, the Almighty.

The Quran 39:4 (Sahih International)

(4) If Allah had intended to take a son, He could have chosen from what He creates whatever He willed. Exalted is He; He is Allah, the One, the Prevailing.

The Quran 72:1-5 (Abdul Haleem)

(1) Say [Prophet], ‘It has been revealed to me that a group of jinn once listened in and said, “We have heard a wondrous Quran, (2) that gives guidance to the right path, and we have come to believe it - We shall never set up partners with our Lord - (3) and that He - exalted be the glory of our Lord! - has neither spouse nor child. (4) Outrageous things have been said about God by the foolish among us, (5) although we had thought that no man or jinn would [dare to] tell a lie about Him.

The Quran 72:1-5 (Sahih International)

(1) Say, [O Muhammad], "It has been revealed to me that a group of the jinn listened and said, 'Indeed, we have heard an amazing Qur'an.

(2) It guides to the right course, and we have believed in it. And we will never associate with our Lord anyone.

(3) And [it teaches] that exalted is the nobleness of our Lord; He has not taken a wife or a son

(4) And that our foolish one has been saying about Allah an excessive transgression.

(5) And we had thought that mankind and the jinn would never speak about Allah a lie.

The Quran 112:1-4 (Abdul Haleem)

(1) Say, ‘He is God the One, (2) God the eternal. (3) He begot no one nor was He begotten. (4) No one is comparable to Him.

The Quran 112:1-4 (Sahih International)

(1) Say, "He is Allah, [who is] One,

(2) Allah, the Eternal Refuge.

(3) He neither begets nor is born,

(4) Nor is there to Him any equivalent."