What Is the Word of God? According to Jesus
In today’s Christian circles, the phrase “Word of God” is almost always equated with the Bible. And while Scripture is sacred, inspired, and deeply valuable, Jesus Himself gave us a clearer and more personal definition of what the “Word of God” truly is—and it starts not with pages in a book, but with Him.
1. Jesus Is the Word of God
“He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which He is called is The Word of God.” – Revelation 19:13
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” – John 1:1,14
Jesus doesn’t just speak the Word of God—He is the Word. The eternal Logos. The exact expression of God’s nature (Hebrews 1:3). He is not a prophet among many. He is the fulfillment, the final voice, the complete revelation of God.
2. Jesus Only Spoke What the Father Gave Him
“For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has Himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak.” – John 12:49
“I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me.” – John 8:28
Unlike even the most faithful prophets, Jesus’ words weren’t partially inspired or subject to human limitation. Every word He spoke was the direct will of the Father. No distortion. No error.
3. Jesus Is the Bread of Life
“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” – Matthew 4:4
“I am the Bread of Life.” – John 6:35
Jesus is the living sustenance of God’s truth. He is the very Word we are called to live on—daily, personally, and directly. His commands are spiritual food, more essential than physical bread.
What About the Bible?
Many believers today will point to 2 Timothy 3:16 to define the “Word of God”:
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching…”
Yes, this is true—but it’s important to recognize the context:
- Paul wrote this.
- Timothy was Paul’s disciple, not Jesus’.
- Neither Paul nor Timothy ever met Jesus in person during His earthly ministry.
- The “Scripture” Paul refers to was the Old Testament, as the New Testament did not yet exist.
This doesn’t mean the Bible isn’t valuable or inspired. But Jesus is the standard, not Paul, Moses, or even the apostles. Even Moses, though a friend of God, made concessions (e.g. divorce in Deuteronomy 24)—yet Jesus corrected this:
“Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so.” – Matthew 19:8
Likewise, Jesus fulfilled the Law, but He also refined it:
- “You’ve heard it said: ‘An eye for an eye.’ But I say…” (Matthew 5:38–39)
- “Do not swear at all… anything more than yes or no comes from the evil one.” (Matthew 5:34–37)
Even these laws—recorded in what we call the “Word of God”—Jesus adjusted to reveal the true heart of God.
Inspired, Yes. Infallible, No.
The Bible is inspired. The prophets were inspired. The apostles were inspired. Preachers today may be inspired.
But man is fallible. And no one—not Paul, not Moses, not your favorite preacher—can be elevated above the words of Jesus. Paul himself acknowledged this:
“We know in part and we prophesy in part.” – 1 Corinthians 13:9
We must measure all teaching by what Jesus said. He alone is the infallible Word. He alone is Truth.
The Deception Jesus Warned Us About
Jesus warned:
“For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.” – Matthew 24:24
This deception won’t come from obvious evil. It will come from within the Body—from pulpits, from letters, from traditions. That’s why He told us to obey His commands:
“If you love me, keep my commandments.” – John 14:15
“He who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.” – John 12:48
We are not judged by church traditions or denominational statements. We are judged by His words alone.
Final Thought: Obeying Jesus Is the Call
If you are truly seeking to follow Jesus, your foundation must be His voice. His commands. His Spirit. All other voices must be tested by His.
Let the Bible lead you to Him. Let His words become your law. Let no man’s teaching stand above the pure, loving, hard, holy, and life-giving words of the Son of God.