This series has identified sayings of, or events surrounding, Jesus which demonstrate that He claimed the following three titles: Messiah, the Son of God, and the Son of Man. The series also provided the criteria these sayings meet that make it reasonable to think of them as authentic. The series ends with an examination of the authenticity of Mark 14:60-64 in which Jesus claims all three titles. The passage follows:
Then the high priest stood up before them all and questioned Jesus, “Don’t you have an answer to what these men are testifying against you?” But He kept silent and did not answer anything. Again the high priest questioned Him, “Are You the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” “I am,” said Jesus, “and all of you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power and coming with the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “Why do we still need witnesses? You have heard the blasphemy! What is your decision?” And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death.1
The following lines of evidence support the authenticity of this saying:2
1. Sitting at God’s right hand and coming with the clouds is only together on the lips of Jesus.
2. The idea of the Son of Man sitting at God’s right hand is found nowhere else in the New Testament.
3. The saying contains the same slight self-reference and high personal claims as other Son of Man sayings.
4. While Psalm 110:1 regarding sitting at the right hand of God is referenced in the New Testament, the substitution of “the Power” for “God” is found nowhere else in the New Testament.
5. It is unlikely that Mark created a prediction the Sanhedrin did not see fullfilled.
When you couple the authenticity of the sayings identified throughout this series with the evidence for the resurrection it is quite reasonable to conclude that God revealed Himself and His means of the redemption of mankind through the person of Jesus.
Stand firm in Christ,
Chase
Footnotes:
1. The Holman Christian Standard Bible is utilized here.
2. Craig, William Lane. Reasonable Faith: Christian Truth and Apologetics; Third Edition. Page 318.
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