Jesus as God
To Reject Jesus Is to Reject the One Who Sent Him
Ancient agency concepts allow a representative to stand for a sender, so the statement must not be isolated as proof of deity.
How this passage contributes to the case:
The labels below identify the kinds of evidence for Jesus' divinity found in this passage.
Select a label for an explanation.
Strength of evidence: Supporting.
This passage is best understood as supporting evidence that strengthens a broader cumulative case rather than standing alone.
Scripture
What Was Said or Done
Jesus says that rejecting him is rejecting the One who sent him.
Old Testament Background
Prophets could speak with delegated divine authority, but Jesus' role as the decisive mediator of response to God is unusually comprehensive.
Exposition
Jesus first links reception of his messengers to reception of himself and then links rejection of himself to rejection of God.
Why This Points to His Divinity
The agency parallel makes this Supporting, while its significance grows when read beside Luke 10:21-22.