David Wood SCHOOLS Alex O'Connor FACE-TO-FACE in DEBATE | Jesus Never Claimed to be God?

Summary

This conversation explores the trial of Jesus and his claim to be the 'Son of Man' from Daniel 7, focusing on how the high priest might have interpreted this as blasphemy. The discussion delves into different historical interpretations of the passage, including its messianic and divine implications. The key point is whether Jesus's words were understood as a claim to divinity, making his accusation of blasphemy understandable. The conversation also touches on the 'two powers in heaven' concept and the evolving interpretation of the 'Son of Man' in Second Temple Judaism.

Takeaways

• 😀 The high priest's accusation of blasphemy against Jesus may have been based on his claim to be the 'Son of Man' coming with the clouds of heaven, which was interpreted as a divine claim.
• 😀 Daniel 7's 'Son of Man' figure has various interpretations, including as a messianic figure, Israel, or even Yahweh, which complicates understanding Jesus' trial.
• 😀 The claim to be the Messiah alone wouldn't necessarily lead to a death sentence in Jewish law, but claiming divinity through the 'Son of Man' would have been viewed as blasphemous.
• 😀 Jesus’ response, which quoted Daniel 7, likely led the high priest to interpret his words as a claim to be Yahweh, thereby escalating the accusation of blasphemy.
• 😀 The 'two powers in heaven' idea, which deals with the relationship between Yahweh and other divine figures, could have influenced the high priest’s interpretation of Jesus' words.
• 😀 The concept of 'two powers in heaven' became a heresy in the late first and second centuries, but earlier, it was a relatively fringe idea in Judaism.
• 😀 Early Christian and Gnostic interpretations of the 'two powers' idea diverged, with Gnostics seeing them in conflict, while Christians saw the Father and Son in harmony.
• 😀 The high priest likely asked Jesus for clarification during the trial because he was uncertain about the nature of Jesus' claim and its implications.
• 😀 Despite various interpretations of Daniel 7, Jesus’ statement about the 'Son of Man' coming with the clouds was interpreted as a claim to divinity, which led to accusations of blasphemy.
• 😀 The silence in early Jewish writings regarding the 'two powers in heaven' controversy before the second century raises questions about its influence on the high priest's reaction to Jesus.

Q & A

What is the main topic discussed in the transcript?

The main topic discussed in the transcript is the interpretation of the 'Son of Man' figure in Daniel 7 and its connection to the trial of Jesus, specifically how the high priest might have understood Jesus' claims and why it led to accusations of blasphemy.

How does the conversation explain the high priest's reaction to Jesus' claim?

The high priest reacts by tearing his clothes because Jesus claims to be the 'Son of Man' coming with the clouds of heaven, which the high priest likely interpreted as a claim to divinity, rather than merely a messianic claim.

Why would claiming to be the Messiah not be enough for a death sentence?

Claiming to be the Messiah was not enough for a death sentence because many individuals in that time claimed to be the Messiah without facing capital punishment. The accusation of blasphemy required Jesus to claim something more than just messianic status, likely divinity.

What is the significance of the 'Son of Man' coming with the clouds of heaven in Daniel 7?

The 'Son of Man' coming with the clouds of heaven is significant because it is traditionally seen as a divine figure, often associated with God's power, which is why Jesus' claim to be the 'Son of Man' would have been interpreted by the high priest as a claim to divinity.

What does the 'two powers in heaven' controversy refer to?

The 'two powers in heaven' controversy refers to a theological debate in early Judaism about the possible existence of a second divine figure alongside Yahweh, a concept that was later labeled as heretical but may have influenced interpretations of divine figures like the 'Son of Man.'

Why is the 'two powers in heaven' idea mentioned in this conversation?

The 'two powers in heaven' idea is mentioned because it might have been part of the broader theological discussion during Jesus' time. It could have influenced how the high priest understood the 'Son of Man' figure and Jesus' claim during the trial.

What is the significance of Jesus quoting Daniel 7 during his trial?

By quoting Daniel 7, Jesus is identifying himself with the divine 'Son of Man' figure, which the high priest likely interprets as a claim to divinity. This claim, rather than simply claiming to be the Messiah, leads to the accusation of blasphemy.

What does the high priest's question 'Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?' imply?

The high priest's question is seeking clarification from Jesus about his identity. By asking if Jesus is the Christ (Messiah) and the 'Son of the Blessed' (a reference to God), the high priest is trying to determine whether Jesus is claiming a divine status.

What does the discussion reveal about the interpretation of Daniel 7 in the first century?

The discussion reveals that there were various interpretations of Daniel 7 in the first century, ranging from seeing the 'Son of Man' as a messianic figure to representing Israel. The high priest's reaction suggests that he interpreted Jesus' claim as something more than just messianic, likely a claim to divinity.

Why does the conversation question the high priest's understanding of Daniel 7?

The conversation questions the high priest's understanding of Daniel 7 because the high priest’s extreme reaction (tearing his clothes) implies that he believed Jesus was claiming to be Yahweh. However, the exact interpretation of the 'Son of Man' in Daniel 7 during the first century is unclear, which complicates the discussion.