What is meant by Son of God?

Many people have had problems with the term "Son of God"!

It was Jesus referring to Himself this way that caused the religious leaders and zealots of His time looking to stone Jesus for blasphemy. Why is this term so divisive?

At the time Jesus lived, the Jewish community was held together by one thing: the Law of Moses. The Torah, or Old Testament, was the glue that made the Jews the special people of God. The Torah told the Jews that God had made a legally binding contract with their father, Abraham, and that through Abraham, the people had a special relationship with God.

The Jews during the time of Christ referred to themselves as the "children of Abraham". Also, during this time, sons were known by the names of their fathers. Simon Peter, the apostle is often referred to as Simon barjona or Simon the son of John. Barabbas, the criminal released by Pilate, his name means "son of Abbas" or son of a father.

The name implies that, using Simon for example, that Simon is heir to all that his father, John, has legally. Remember at this time, the law of Moses was in effect as law of the land. Children, especially sons, were legal extensions of their father. All the father had, such as possessions, money, political power, standing in the community, etc. became the son's when the son became of legal age. If there was more than one son, the sons would split the inheritance with the eldest son getting a "double portion". Meaning, if a man had three sons the inheritance would be split split four ways with the oldest getting two shares and the rest getting one share each.

But, for the only son, he would have, own, control, become everything his father is, legally.

So, when Jesus claimed to be the only-begotten (or only son born with God's DNA as opposed to an adopted) Son of God, Jesus was claiming to legally be and have everything God is and has....or to put it simply....Jesus claimed to be God with all God's power and authority!

As the disciples marvelled when Jesus calmed the seas and stopped the storms,"Who is this man that even the seas and winds (the forces of nature) obey Him?"