Britannica Sources used in this answer

Why was Jesus called the Son of God in early Christianity?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Christology The Transfiguration, the nature of Jesus as the Son of God being revealed to the apostles Peter, James, and John, mosaic icon, early 13th century; in the Louvre, Paris.

In early Christianity, the title "Son of God" was one of several appellations derived from the Hebrew Bible used to describe Jesus and his unique role. Its usage was shaped by both Jewish tradition and the cultural context of late antiquity.1

The term denoted a special relationship between Jesus and the Father, identifying him as "the" Son of God. In its broadest sense, this title was consistent with the notion of the eternal preexistence of all that is good. Early Christian reflection often emphasized two themes regarding this status:1
* Preexistence: The view of Jesus as a figure who existed with God before becoming human and subsequently returning to the divine.1
* Adoption: The belief that Jesus was a creature elected and "adopted" by God, a concept rooted in ancient Jewish thought that later formed the basis of adoptionism.1

Furthermore, the title was used in a world where terms like "god" and "son" were somewhat ambiguous, as seen in the veneration of Roman emperors. Over time, the Gospel According to John helped solidify the assertion that this sonship was unique to Jesus, eventually leading to the orthodox Christian doctrine that fully equated the Son of God with God.12