Many Muslims assert that since there are many people referred to as 'sons of God' in the Bible, then Jesus was only speaking metaphorically when He called Himself the 'Son of God'. In other words, Muslims assert that Jesus was the 'metaphorical' Son of God by doing good works, glorifying God, being humble, etc. But Muslims and the teaching of Islam state that He was not the One and Only Son of God in any special unique sense.
It is correct to say that many people have been metaphorically called "sons" of God. It is related to various people or peoples. But it is incorrect when applying this meaning to Jesus. This term is an analogy that describes who Christ is uniquely, and, His relation to the Father. From the scriptures it is clear that Jesus was far more than a metaphorical 'son' of God. He is the only unique "Son" of God. No one else in the entire Bible is referred to in this manner - only Jesus.
Does the New Testament (N.T.) texts describe Jesus as a unique 'Son' of God or just another “son” of God, amongst many, in a metaphorical sense?
Monogenes: (The Greek word translated “one and only”)
monogenes means "only born", or "sole".
Vine's Expository Dictionary of N.T. Words adds that "the term is one of endearment as well as singleness."
- This word is used in referring to a boy in Luke 7:12- "As he (Jesus) approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out - the only son of his mother, and she was a widow."
- It is used likewise in Luke 9:38- "A man in the crowd called out, "Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child."
- John 1:14- "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the "One and Only" , who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." (not one prophet before him, was ever praised at that level)
- John 1:18- "No one has ever seen God, but God, the "One and Only", who is at the Father's side has made him known."
- John 3:18, and 1 John 4:9 are other verses where "monogenes" is used in reference to Jesus.
Sayings wich confirm that He was the Son of God:
1. The Annunciation: The angel Gabriel told the virgin Mary that her son would be called "the Son of God". (Luke 1:32,35)
2. The Baptism: God's voice from heaven proclaimed: This is my Son, whom I love." (Matthew 3:17, etc.)
3. The Transfiguration: God's voice once again proclaimed: "This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to Him." (Mark 9:7, etc.)
4. The Crucifixion: The Roman centurion and his men confessed at the time of Jesus' crucifixion: "Surely he was the Son of God!" (Matthew 27:54)
5. The Resurrection: St. Paul writes that Jesus' resurrection from the dead declared Him to be "the Son of God". (Romans 1 :4)
The angel-THAT WHICH IS CONCEIVED IN HER IS OF THE HOLY GHOST-Mt 1:20.
The angel Gabriel-THAT HOLY THING...SHALL BE CALLED THE SON OF GOD-Lk 1:35.
Satan-He knew Jesus was the Son of God-ref Mt 4:3-11; Lk 4:3-13.
John the Baptist-BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD-Jn 1:29,36.
John the Baptist-THIS IS THE SON OF GOD-Jn 1:34; 5:36.
Nathanael-THOU ART THE SON OF GOD-Jn 1:49.
The unclean spirit-I KNOW THEE...THE HOLY ONE OF GOD-Mk 1:24.
The devils-THOU ART CHRIST THE SON OF GOD-Lk 4:41.
The unclean spirits-THOU ART THE SON OF GOD-Mk 3:11.
The unclean devil-THE HOLY ONE OF GOD-Lk 4:34.
The unclean spirit-JESUS, THOU SON OF THE MOST HIGH GOD-Mk 5:7.
Jesus had said-GOD WAS HIS FATHER-Jn 5:18.
Peter-WE BELIEVE AND ARE SURE THAT THOU ART THAT CHRIST, THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD-Jn 6:69.
Jesus said-I…CAME FROM GOD-Jn 8:42.
Jesus-DOST THOU BELIEVE ON THE SON OF GOD?...IT IS HE THAT TALKETH WITH THEE-Jn 9:35,37.
Martha-I BELIEVE...THOU ART...THE SON OF GOD-Jn 11:27.
The disciples in the boat-OF A TRUTH THOU ART THE SON OF GOD-Mt 14:33.
Peter-THOU ART THE CHRIST, THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD-Mt 16:16; ref Jn 6:69.
Martha-THOU ART THE CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD-Jn 11:27.
His disciples-WE BELIEVE THAT THOU CAMEST FORTH FROM GOD-Jn 16:30.
Thomas said-MY LORD AND MY GOD-Jn 20:28.
John-JESUS IS THE CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD-Jn 20:31.
Jesus-They…asked, "Are you...the Son of God?" He replied, "YOU ARE RIGHT IN SAYING I AM"-Lk 22:70 NIV. JESUS SAID, I AM-Mk 14:62.
The centurion-TRULY THIS WAS THE SON OF GOD-Mt 27:54; ref Mk 15:39.
The works He did, proved He was the Son of God-ref Jn 5:36; 10:38.
The Father-THIS IS MY BELOVED SON-Mt 3:17; ref Jn 5:37.
The witness of God’s Word—the numerous prophecies.
The resurrection, many witnesses, and many portions of Scripture.
When Jesus was brought before Pilate the Jews said, "We have a law, and according to that law he must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God." -- John 19:7
If Jesus were only speaking metaphorically the Jews would not have brought him to trial on such a charge as blasphemy. [Death was the penalty for blasphemy - ref. Lev. 24:16]. The Jews knew and understood Psalms 82:6, and they had no problem with a metaphorical statement. The Jews objected to Jesus claiming to be the unique, the eternal, "Son" of God.
When you read the Gospels carefully you will find that consistently
- Jesus talks like he is God
- Jesus acts like he is God
- Jesus gives evidence for claiming this authority rightfully by performing miraculous signs.
"Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, 'Thou blasphemest;' because I said, 'I am the Son of God'? If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that you may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in Him." (John 10:36-38)
Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. "Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. (John 5:24-25)
Jesus asked the blind man, whose eyes He opened and who was cast out of the synagogue.
Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He had found him, He said to him, "Do you believe in the Son of God?" He answered and said, "Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?" And Jesus said to him, "You have both seen Him and it is He who is talking with you." Then he said, "Lord, I believe!" And he worshipped Him. (John 9: 35-38)
After 3 years with his disciples we read how one of them asks Jesus and wants to be "shown the Father (God)".
Jesus answered, "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. ... Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves." (John 14:10-11).
The Apostles seen, heard and knew that He was.
The Apostle Peter says (in 2 Peter 1):
12 So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have.
13 I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body,
14 because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me.
15 And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things.
16 We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
The Apostle John writes (in 1 John 1):
1 That which was from the beginning,
which WE have HEARD,
which WE have SEEN with our eyes,
which WE have LOOKED AT
and our hands have TOUCHED --
this WE proclaim concerning the Word of life.
2 The life appeared;
WE have SEEN it
and testify to it,
and we proclaim to you the eternal life,
which was with the Father and has APPEARED to US.
3 We proclaim to you
what WE have SEEN
and HEARD, ...
"All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him." (Matt 11:27)