Below is scripture from the NRSV where Jesus spoke of or to God as a separate entity. These show he did not understand he was God. Below those scriptures are others where the writer views Jesus as a different being than God.
John 14:25-31 – “I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I.”
25 “I have said these things to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. 28 You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I am coming to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe. 30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me; 31 but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us be on our way.
Matthew 26:36-44 – “…let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.“
36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and agitated. 38 Then he said to them, “I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me.” 39 And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.” 40 Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, “So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? 41 Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 Again he went away for the second time and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 Again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words.
Matthew 17:1-9, Mark 9:2-8 – In the transfiguration narrative, a divine voice confirms Jesus’ identity.
The transfiguration narrative presents a theophanic [a visible manifestation of a deity] moment where Jesus is transfigured, Moses and Elijah appear, and a divine voice confirms Jesus’ identity. This supports the view that the gospel writers saw Jesus as separate from God, i.e., “the divine voice.”
Jesus says the Father knows something the Son does not
Here, Jesus says the Father knows something the Son does not; i.e. the Son is limited. This statement comes from Jesus’ Olivet Discourse, a prophetic teaching He gave to His disciples about the end times and His return.
Mark 13:32 (NRSV): “But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”
Parallel passage:
Matthew 24:36 (NRSV): “But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”
Where Jesus most directly questions being called “good”
It is found in all three Synoptic Gospels—Matthew, Mark, and Luke—but the version where Jesus most directly questions being called “good” is in Mark 10:17–18:
Mark 10:17–18 (NRSV) – “As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone.”
Also found in:
- Matthew 19:16–17
- Luke 18:18–19
In Matthew, Jesus slightly rephrases: “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good…” (Matthew 19:17)
John 17 has many verses where Jesus is addressing God as a separate entity. https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/jhn/17/1/s_1014001
John 17:1 KJV – These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:
Others Related Scripture
Luke — Acts 10:36–38 (NRSV) – Shows that the writer of Acts did not view Jesus as God.
“You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.“
Paul — 1 Corinthians 15:24 Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, after he has destroyed every ruler and every authority and power.
