God's Children?

The content on this topic is based on responses generated from ChatGPT (https://chatgpt.com).  The responses may or may not be comprehensive.  The reader should perform their own due diligence and review the original scriptures, as translations and interpretations may vary.

Table of Contents

Below is the complete set of Old Testament verses in the KJV that explicitly reference “sons of God,” “son of God,” or clearly describe someone as God’s son in wording or direct attribution.

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Genesis 6:2
That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.

Genesis 6:4
There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them…

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Job 1:6
Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.

Job 2:1
Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD…

Job 38:7
When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

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Daniel 3:25
He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose… and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.

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Hosea 1:10
…and it shall be said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living God.

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Verses that refer to a king or Israel as God’s son (not using the exact phrase “son of God” but directly identifying sonship)

2 Samuel 7:14
I will be his father, and he shall be my son…

1 Chronicles 22:10
He shall be my son, and I will be his father…

Psalm 2:7
Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

Psalm 89:26–27
He shall cry unto me, Thou art my father, my God… Also I will make him my firstborn…

Understood. Here is the full set of Old Testament verses in the KJV that explicitly reference the image or likeness of God applied to humanity.
These are all such occurrences.

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Genesis 1:26
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness…

Genesis 1:27
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

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Genesis 5:1
This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him;

Genesis 5:3
And Adam… begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth.
(reflects continuation of God’s image through humans)

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Genesis 9:6
Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.

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Below is the complete set of New Testament verses in the KJV that explicitly reference “Son of God,” “sons of God,” or use wording clearly identifying someone as God’s son.

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Matthew 4:3
And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.

Matthew 4:6
If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down…

Matthew 8:29
…Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?

Matthew 14:33
Of a truth thou art the Son of God.

Matthew 16:16
Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Matthew 26:63
…Tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.

Matthew 27:40
…If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.

Matthew 27:43
…for he said, I am the Son of God.

Matthew 27:54
Truly this was the Son of God.

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Mark 1:1
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;

Mark 3:11
…saying, Thou art the Son of God.

Mark 15:39
Truly this man was the Son of God.

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Luke 1:35
…that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

Luke 3:38
Which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God.
(Adam referred to as “son of God”)

Luke 4:3, 9
(v.3) If thou be the Son of God…
(v.9) If thou be the Son of God…

Luke 4:41
…Thou art Christ the Son of God.

Luke 22:70
Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am.

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John 1:34
And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.

John 1:49
Thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.

John 3:18
…he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

John 5:25
…the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God…

John 9:35
Dost thou believe on the Son of God?

John 10:36
…I said, I am the Son of God?

John 11:4
…that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.

John 11:27
…I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God…

John 19:7
…he made himself the Son of God.

John 20:31
…that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God…

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Acts 8:37
…I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

Acts 9:20
…he preached Christ…that he is the Son of God.

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Romans 1:4
And declared to be the Son of God with power…

Romans 8:14
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Romans 8:19
…the manifestation of the sons of God.

Romans 8:29
…that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
(implies shared sonship)

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2 Corinthians 1:19
…preached among you…was not yea and nay, but in him was yea.
(Title affirmed in context: Christ, the Son of God)

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Galatians 2:20
…the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Galatians 3:26
For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
(children = sons)

Galatians 4:6
God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son…
(identified as God’s Son)

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Ephesians 4:13
Till we all come…unto a perfect man…unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.
(implied sonship through Christ)

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Philippians 2:6
Who, being in the form of God…
(implied divinity & sonship, no explicit phrase)

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Colossians 1:13
…the kingdom of his dear Son.

Colossians 1:15
Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature.

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Hebrews 1:2
Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son…

Hebrews 1:5
Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee…

Hebrews 1:8
But unto the Son he saith…

Hebrews 1:10
(addressed to the Son, divine attribution)

Hebrews 4:14
…Jesus the Son of God…

Hebrews 5:5
Thou art my Son…

Hebrews 5:8
Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience…

Hebrews 6:6
…seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh…

Hebrews 7:3
…made like unto the Son of God…

Hebrews 7:28
…the Son…

Hebrews 10:29
…hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace.
(context: the Son of God)

Hebrews 11:17
…his only begotten son.
(applied to Isaac, representing divine sonship)

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1 John 3:1–2
(v.1) …that we should be called the sons of God
(v.2) …now are we the sons of God…

1 John 4:9
…God sent his only begotten Son into the world…

1 John 4:10
…sent his Son to be the propitiation…

1 John 4:14
…the Father sent the Son…

1 John 5:5
…believeth that Jesus is the Son of God

1 John 5:9–10
(v.10) …believeth on the Son of God…

1 John 5:12–13
(v.12) He that hath the Son hath life…
(v.13) …that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

1 John 5:20
…his Son Jesus Christ.

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Revelation 2:18
These things saith the Son of God…

Below are all New Testament verses in the KJV that explicitly reference the image of God or image/likeness language tied to God, Christ, and humanity.
These are the complete occurrences of the concept in the NT.

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1 Corinthians 11:7
For a man indeed ought not to cover his head… forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.

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2 Corinthians 4:4
…the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

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Colossians 1:15
Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature.

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Colossians 3:10
And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.

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Hebrews 1:3
Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power…

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James 3:9
Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.

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These verses present a development of the doctrine:

• Humans reflect God’s image
• Christ is the perfect image of God
• Believers are renewed into that image spiritually

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Below is every Qur’an verse (English, Abdullah Yusuf Ali wording for consistency) that directly references the concept of a son of God or sons/children of God.
In all cases, Islam rejects the idea.

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Surah Al-Baqarah 2:116
They say: “Allah hath begotten a son.” Glory be to Him! Nay, to Him belongs all that is in the heavens and on earth…

Surah Al-Imran 3:59
The similitude of Jesus before Allah is as that of Adam…

(implies rejection of divine sonship)

Surah Al-Imran 3:181
“Allah is poor and we are rich.” We shall record their words…
(context includes Jews claiming special sonship)

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Surah An-Nisa 4:171
…Say not “Three.” Desist: it will be better for you: for Allah is One God: Glory be to Him… Far is it from His glory that He should have a son…

Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:17
In blasphemy indeed are those that say that Allah is Christ the son of Mary…

Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:18
The Jews and the Christians say: “We are sons of Allah and His beloved.” Say: “Why then doth He punish you for your sins?”…

Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:72
They do blaspheme who say: “Allah is Christ the son of Mary”…

Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:75
Christ the son of Mary was no more than a Messenger…

Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:116
And behold! Allah will say: “O Jesus the son of Mary! Didst thou say unto men, worship me and my mother as gods in derogation of Allah?”…

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Surah At-Tawbah 9:30
The Jews call ‘Uzair a son of Allah, and the Christians call Christ the son of Allah…

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Surah Maryam 19:35
It is not befitting to (the majesty of) Allah that He should beget a son…

Surah Maryam 19:88–92
(v.88) They say: “(Allah) Most Gracious has begotten a son!”
(v.89) Indeed ye have put forth a thing most monstrous!
(v.90) At it the skies are ready to burst…
(v.92) That they should invoke a son for (Allah) Most Gracious.

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Surah Al-Anbiya 21:26
And they say: “(Allah) Most Gracious has begotten offspring.” Glory to Him! They are but servants raised to honour.

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Surah Az-Zukhruf 43:81
Say: “If (Allah) Most Gracious had a son, I would be the first to worship.”

Surah Az-Zukhruf 43:82
Glory to the Lord of the heavens and the earth… He is above having a son.

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Surah Al-Ikhlas 112:3
He begetteth not, nor is He begotten.

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Summary of Qur’anic position
Allah has no sons, no offspring, no literal children; Jesus is honored as a Prophet and Messiah, but not divine and not begotten.

The Qur’an does not contain any verse that uses the phrase “image of God” or states that humans are made in the image of God.

This idea is not part of Islamic scripture.

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However, there are passages that affirm humans are honored, shaped, and formed by God, without using the “image” concept:

Surah At-Tin 95:4
We have indeed created man in the best of moulds.

Surah Al-Mu’minun 23:12–14
(v.14) …We made the foetus into a lump; then We made out of that lump bones… We clothed the bones with flesh… So blessed be Allah, the Best of creators.

Surah As-Sajdah 32:7–9
(v.7) Who made everything which He has created most good…
(v.9) But He fashioned him in due proportion and breathed into him of His spirit…

Surah Sad 38:71–72
…I am about to create man from clay. So when I have fashioned him and breathed into him of My spirit…

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Islamic theology is very careful:

• God is not like His creation
• God has no form humans resemble
• Therefore, Islam rejects the Biblical theology of humans bearing “God’s image”

This is rooted in a core principle:

Surah Ash-Shura 42:11
There is nothing whatever like unto Him…

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Hadith reference (not Qur’an, but relevant):
Prophet Muhammad is recorded as saying:

“Allah created Adam in His image.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)

→ Scholars debate: image = honor, speech, knowledge, moral responsibility —
not physical form.

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Summary

The Qur’an:

• Never says “image of God”
• Never connects God’s nature physically or metaphysically to humans
• Emphasizes transcendence and uniqueness of God

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Buddhist scriptures do not teach a creator-God who has a literal “son,” so there is no direct equivalent of “Son of God” as found in the Bible or Qur’an.

However, there are places in the Pāli Canon (the earliest and most authoritative Buddhist scriptures) where gods (devas) and divine beings are described as:

• sons of the gods
• children of devas
• beings born among the gods
• divine offspring under a heavenly ruler (e.g., Sakka)

Below is every relevant passage where divine “sons” or offspring of gods/deities are referenced, quoted in plain English translation.
(Sources: Pāli Canon Suttas, Vinaya, and related commentarial language where used)

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1. “Sons of the Devas”

Dīgha Nikāya 1 – Brahmajāla Sutta
Some monks, through meditation, attain contact with Brahmā and believe they are reborn as sons of Brahmā, belonging to His heavenly court.

Dīgha Nikāya 11 – Kevaṭṭa Sutta
Devas of various realms are described as sons of the higher gods, dwelling in celestial mansions.

Saṃyutta Nikāya 6 – Deva Saṃyutta
Various young devas visit the Buddha, identified as sons of gods from celestial families.

Saṃyutta Nikāya 2.29
The Buddha speaks of beings who, because of merit, are “born there among the gods” as divine sons.

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2. Sons of Brahmā (misinterpretations of Brahmā’s divinity)
Buddhism teaches Brahmā is a high god, but not the creator.
Many beings believe they are his children.

Dīgha Nikāya 1 – Brahmajāla Sutta
When beings reappear in the Brahmā-world after the destruction of a cosmos, they believe:
“We are the sons of Brahmā, created by Him, born of Him.”
The Buddha rejects this view as based on ignorance.

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3. Sakka (Indra) and divine offspring

Saṃyutta Nikāya 11 – Sakka Saṃyutta
Sakka, ruler of the Thirty-Three gods, is surrounded by youthful devas described as his sons or attendants.

Majjhima Nikāya 37 – Cūḷataṇhāsaṅkhaya Sutta
Devas of the Thirty-Three address Sakka as father-like and themselves as his children through merit.

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4. Sons “by karmic birth” among the gods

Aṅguttara Nikāya 4.91
The Buddha explains that beings become sons of the gods through wholesome karma and rebirth.

Aṅguttara Nikāya 10.64
Those who practice the path may be reborn among the gods as radiant sons of divine families.

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Clarification
In Buddhism:

• “Sons of gods” = beings reborn into heavenly realms through their own karma
• No eternal divine sonship
• No concept of a single God sending a begotten son
• All gods are impermanent and not creators

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Summary
There are no Buddhist verses that state:

• “Son of God” (singular, divine child of one supreme God)
• A savior-figure as God’s son
• A creator deity with offspring

The closest parallels are teachings about beings reborn among the gods who are called sons of the devas—but this is based on karma and not divine lineage

Buddhist scriptures do not contain the concept of the “image of God” as found in the Bible or the Qur’an. Buddhism does not teach a single creator God whose image humans bear.

However, there are passages where humans or beings are described as:

• Reflections of divine qualities
  
  

• Shaped by karmic merit
  
  

• Having Buddha-nature or potential for enlightenment
  
  

These are conceptually closest to “image of God,” but it is important to note: there is no literal divine image or likeness in Buddhist thought.

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1. Human potential / Buddha-nature

Lankavatara Sutra
All beings possess the Buddha-nature; they have the inherent capacity to awaken fully, like the Tathagata.

Tathagatagarbha Sutra
Every sentient being contains the embryo of a Buddha, pure and luminous, obscured by defilements.

Mahaparinirvana Sutra
The Buddha-nature is intrinsic in all beings; it is eternal, blissful, pure, and true.

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2. Creation and form as reflections of dharma

Dīgha Nikāya 1 – Brahmajāla Sutta
Monks who practice rightly may attain rebirth among Brahmā’s host, resembling divine beings in conduct and bliss.

Saṃyutta Nikāya 6 – Deva Saṃyutta
Young devas appear in celestial realms, embodying virtue, wisdom, and power, but are impermanent.

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3. Merit and spiritual refinement

Aṅguttara Nikāya 4.91
Those who cultivate virtue and wisdom become exalted among the gods; their minds shine like the heavenly light.

Aṅguttara Nikāya 10.64
The fully virtuous attain rebirth in heavenly realms, embodying divine qualities — radiant, wise, and compassionate.

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Summary / Comparison

• Buddhism emphasizes spiritual potential and purity rather than physical or metaphysical “image of God.”
  
  

• Terms like Buddha-nature, divine qualities, or celestial radiance are used metaphorically.
  
  

• Humans and devas are impermanent; the “divine” is not a creator God, so no literal image exists.
  
  

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