JESUS, AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE FATHER: Does it mean He is not equal with God?

 

When we say that a person is the “right-hand man” of their boss, we usually mean that he is the boss’s trusted assistant; therefore, they are not on the same level. Obviously, the boss holds a higher position than the assistant. Christ is said to be at the right hand of the Father (Luke 22:69; Acts 7:55–56; Romans 8:34; Ephesians 1:20; Colossians 3:1). Does this mean that Christ is merely the Father’s assistant, implying that they are not equal? If this is really the case, does it mean that Christ could not be considered God?

In the time of the Jews during the biblical era, they did not think of it this way. Being “at the right hand of the Father” has something to do with the prophecy about the Messiah found in Psalm 110:1, “The LORD says to my lord: ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.’” Based on this prophecy, the promised King (in other words, the Anointed One or simply, the Messiah) would sit at the right hand of God. The expression “at the right hand of God” signifies a place of honor, power, and intimate closeness with the Father.

When Christ said, “The Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God” (Luke 22:69), He was directly telling His accusers that He was the One referred to in the prophecy. In their view, if someone claimed to be at God’s right hand, he was not merely saying that he was the Messiah—he was making himself equal with God! That is why when the religious leaders heard this, they said, “Why do we need any more testimony? We have heard it from his own lips.” (v. 71). For them, Christ’s own words were enough to condemn Him for blasphemy, and therefore, He deserved to be crucified. But for Christ, He was simply speaking the truth about Himself. Christ’s claim of equality with the Father was the reason the religious leaders had long plotted to kill Him: “For this reason they tried all the more to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.” (John 5:18).

John used a similar expression in John 1:18 when he described Christ as being “in closest relationship with the Father” (NIV), “at the Father’s side” (ESV), or “in the bosom of the Father” (KJV). The literal meaning of this idiom is that Christ is “in the Father’s lap,” an image of a child sitting on a parent’s knee and leaning against their chest (bosom). John was not merely declaring that Christ is the Son of God, but also that He is the one most intimately united with the Father.

The New Testament writers affirmed Christ’s claim when they likewise described Him as being at the Father’s right hand. When Stephen faced martyrdom, he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” (Acts 7:56). He confirmed what Christ had earlier declared before the same Jewish council that had crucified the Messiah and was now condemning him. Christ is “the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being,” and after accomplishing His mission, He returned to sit beside God (Hebrews 1:3). This passage in Hebrews beautifully describes Christ as equal to the Father, for God Himself calls the Son “God” (vv. 8–13). Because Jesus is at the right hand of the Father, He reigns above all (Ephesians 1:20–23; 1 Peter 3:22; Hebrews 1:3–4).

Since Christ is at the right hand of the Father, it means that no one can condemn us, for Jesus Himself—our Advocate who intercedes for us—is seated beside God (Romans 8:34; cf. Hebrews 8:1). The truth that Christ is seated at the right hand of the Father calls us to be devoted to Him (Colossians 3:1; cf. Hebrews 12:2). "Set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” (Colossians 3:1). Stay Curious.

Sources and Studies:

Walton, J. H., & Keener, C. S. (2016). Luke 22:69 See Notes. In NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible. Zondervan.
Kostenberger, A. J. (2002). At the Father's side (1:18). Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary: John. Zondervan.