What Does the Bible tell us about Jesus Being Human?

The Bible clearly teaches that Jesus Christ was fully human during His life on earth. This is an essential Christian doctrine, as Jesus had to be man in order to save us from our sins. In this post, we’ll look at what Scripture says about Jesus being human like us.

The Incarnation – God Became Man

The Incarnation is a fundamental doctrine in Christian theology, encapsulating the profound truth that the eternal Word of God became flesh in the person of Jesus Christ. This divine act of taking on human form is rooted in several key verses in the Bible, which serve as the foundation for our understanding of this central aspect of Christ’s identity. Let’s explore these verses that illuminate the definition of the Incarnation.

John 1:14 (ESV): “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” This verse in the Gospel of John succinctly affirms the Incarnation, emphasizing that the Word (referring to Jesus) became flesh and lived among humanity.
Philippians 2:5-8 (ESV): “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” This passage from Philippians provides a profound theological reflection on the Incarnation, emphasizing Christ’s divine nature and His choice to take on human form.
Hebrews 2:14 (ESV): “Since, therefore, the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil.” The book of Hebrews underscores the reality of Jesus sharing in the human condition, including flesh and blood, as an essential aspect of His mission to redeem humanity.

These verses together affirm the biblical foundation of the Incarnation, demonstrating the Word becoming flesh, Christ taking on human form, and sharing in the human experience to fulfill His redemptive mission.

The Early Church Strongly Affirmed Christ’s Humanity

One of the earliest theological heresies that the Christian church had to grapple with was Docetism. This heresy denied the full humanity of Jesus Christ, asserting that He only appeared to be human but was not truly so. This denial of Jesus’ genuine humanity posed a significant challenge to the core Christian faith.

The apostle John addressed this heretical view directly in his first epistle, condemning it as antichrist. In 1 John, he emphasized the importance of acknowledging Jesus as fully human and fully divine. By doing so, John safeguarded the integrity of the Christian faith and refuted the erroneous claims of Docetism. This historical context underscores the vital significance of understanding and affirming Jesus’ true humanity within the framework of Christian theology.

1 John 4:1-3 (ESV): “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.”

In this passage from 1 John, the apostle explicitly states that those who deny that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh (Docetism) are characterized as the spirit of the antichrist. This underscores the severity with which the early church viewed the denial of Jesus’ true humanity.

These verses from 1 John serve as a clear biblical foundation for understanding the early Christian stance against Docetism and the significance of affirming the full humanity of Jesus Christ.

How Scripture Shows Jesus Was Fully Human

Throughout the Gospels, we see Jesus living life as a man:

His human birth and development

“And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn….And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.” (Luke 2:6-7, 52)

He experienced human physical realities like hunger, thirst, fatigue

“And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.” (Matthew 4:2),
“Jacob’s well was there; so Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well. It was about the sixth hour.” (John 4:6-7),
“After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), ‘I thirst.'” (John 19:28“He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.” (Mark 6:31)
“And he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?'” (Mark 4:38)

He displayed human emotions

“When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled.” (John 11:33-35),
“And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” (Mark 10:21),
“The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade.” (John 2:13-17)
“And when he went ashore, he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.” (Mark 6:34)
“But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.” (Matthew 9:36)
“And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He stretched it out, and his hand was restored.” (Mark 3:5)
“In that same hour, he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, ‘I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.'” (Luke 10:21)

He lived a normal human life – had a job, friends, attended church

He had a job
- “Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon?” (Mark 6:3)

He had family
- And are not his sisters here with us?” (Mark 6:3)

He had friends
- “No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants anymore, because a servant doesn’t know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have heard from my Father.” (John 15:13–15)

He went church
- “And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read.” (Luke 4:16)

He prayed
- “One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.’ He said to them, ‘When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come.'” (Luke 11:1-2)

Went to parties and dinners
- “While he was reclining at the table in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came to eat with Jesus and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”” (Matthew 9:10–11)
- “On the third day a wedding took place in Cana of Galilee. Jesus’s mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples were invited to the wedding as well.” (John 2:1–2)
Had a mom he cared for
- “But standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, behold, your son!’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Behold, your mother!’ And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.” (John 19:25-27)
Was misunderstood
- “But they did not understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him.”(Mark 9:32)
- “His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him.” (John 12:16)
Lost loved ones
- “The death of Lazarus: ‘Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.’ (John 11:5-6)
- “”So he sent and had John beheaded in the prison, and his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. And his disciples came and took the body and buried it, and they went and told Jesus. Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself.” (Matthew 14:10-13)
He Suffered
- “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” (Isaiah 53:3),
- “For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.” (Hebrews 2:10)

Was Betrayed
- “While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; seize him.” And he came up to Jesus at once and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” And he kissed him. Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.” Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him.” (Matthew 26:47-50)

Was Obedient
- “And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:8)
- “Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him.” (Hebrews 5:8-9)
He Was Tempted (but without sin)
- “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” (Matthew 4:1)
- “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.” (Hebrews 4:15)
Had Family problems
- “Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, ‘He is out of his mind.'” (Mark 3:20-21)

The final human experience – death
- “When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, ‘It is finished,’ and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” (John 19:30)

Jesus Remains Human Forever

After His resurrection, Jesus still had a physical, glorified human body, telling the disciples,

“See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” (Luke 24:39).
He ascended to heaven in bodily form (Acts 1:9-11) and remains a man even now, interceding for believers (1 Timothy 2:5).

The Vital Significance of Christ’s Humanity

It’s essential to affirm that Jesus was fully human because:

As a man, He could rightfully represent humanity and die as our substitute.

“Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.” (Hebrews 2:17-18)

He is the one mediator between God and man

“For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 2:5)

His life as a man shows us the perfect example of obedience.

“For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.” (1 Peter 2:21)
“Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” (1 John 2:6)

He can sympathize with our human weaknesses

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15-16)
“For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” (Hebrews 2:18)

Conclusion

In summary, the full humanity of Jesus Christ is essential Christian doctrine. The incarnation means God became man to save us. Jesus lived life as we do, yet without sin. He understands our struggles and intercedes for us. We must affirm Christ’s humanity, follow His example, and rely on His grace.

What Does The Bible Say About Jesus Being Human?