How Jesus Became God Season 1 Episode 7 Did Jesus Think He Was God?

In season 1 episode 7 of How Jesus Became God, titled "Did Jesus Think He Was God?", the show delves into the question of Jesus's own beliefs about his divinity. This episode explores the idea that while Jesus's teachings and actions suggested a belief in his own godliness, it is not entirely clear whether he himself believed he was a divine being.

The show begins by examining the historical context of Jesus's life and teachings, including the Jewish beliefs and traditions that informed his own worldview. The episode notes that while many Jewish traditions believed in the idea of a messiah who would come to save their people, the idea of a fully divine being was not part of this tradition. Instead, the idea of a "son of God" referred to a righteous person or leader who was especially close to God.

The episode then delves into a number of passages from the Gospels that have been interpreted as suggesting that Jesus believed he was divine. These include statements in which Jesus refers to himself as the son of God, as well as instances in which he performs miracles or forgives sins, actions that some believe would only be possible for a divine being. Additionally, the episode notes that the early Christian community quickly came to believe in Jesus's divinity, and that this belief helped to fuel the spread of the new religion.

However, the show also explores a number of passages from the Gospels that suggest Jesus may not have seen himself as a divine being. For example, in the Gospel of Mark, Jesus is portrayed as being surprised and frustrated by the lack of faith of his followers, suggesting that even he did not believe in his own infallibility. Additionally, the episode notes that in many of the parables that Jesus told, he used language and imagery that would have been familiar to his Jewish audience, suggesting that he saw himself as continuing in the prophetic tradition rather than breaking from it.

Overall, the episode suggests that while the question of whether Jesus thought he was God may never be definitively answered, there is evidence to support both sides of the debate. The episode stresses the importance of considering historical context, cultural traditions, and literary analysis when interpreting the Gospel accounts of Jesus's life and beliefs. By doing so, viewers can gain a better understanding of how Jesus's message and legacy continue to resonate with people around the world today.