What It Means That Jesus Is the Only Begotten Son
The title “Only Begotten Son” comes from the Greek word monogenēs, used nine times in the New Testament. Of these, five clearly refer to Jesus. But what does monogenēs actually mean?
The Biblical Usage of Monogenēs
To understand the word, it’s helpful to first look at how it's used in reference to human children:
Luke 7:12 – “...a dead man was being carried out, the only son (monogenēs) of his mother, and she was a widow.”
Luke 8:42 – “For he had an only daughter (monogenēs), about twelve years of age, and she was dying.”
Luke 9:38 – “Master, I beg you, look at my son, for he is my only child (monogenēs).”
In all these examples, the word plainly means the only child born to a parent. There is no ambiguity—it emphasizes birth and origin. The word comes from two Greek roots:
monos – only, sole, single
genos – kind, race, offspring, lineage
So monogenēs literally means: “only born,” or “only of a kind.” It is a relational and generational word, focusing on origin and descent, not simply uniqueness or special status.
What About Isaac?
The one case that people sometimes point to as different is found in:
Hebrews 11:17 – “By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son (monogenēs).”
At first glance, this might seem puzzling. Didn’t Abraham already have a son, Ishmael, before Isaac was born? So how could Isaac be his “only begotten”?
The answer lies in the context. At the time Abraham was called to offer up Isaac, Ishmael was no longer present in his household. God had told Abraham to send Hagar and Ishmael away (see Genesis 21:10–14), and Abraham had obeyed. Isaac was the only son remaining under his care, and more importantly, the only son born according to God’s promise through Sarah (Genesis 17:19). He was Abraham’s only legitimate heir—the only son recognized in God’s covenant.
When God said in Genesis 22:2, “Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest…”, it was a deliberate and accurate description. In terms of covenantal standing, inheritance, and presence in Abraham’s life at that moment, Isaac truly was his only begotten son.
The Meaning in Jesus’ Case
Some have tried to use Hebrews 11:17 to argue that monogenēs doesn’t mean “only born,” but simply “unique” or “special.” They claim that, just as Isaac had a unique role in Abraham’s life, Jesus has a special place in God's affections. Therefore, they conclude, “only begotten” does not imply that Jesus was truly begotten of God.
But this argument misses both the language and logic of Scripture.
First, in the majority of cases, monogenēs refers clearly to birth and origin—a child who is the only one born to a parent.
Second, Isaac was indeed the only begotten son when Abraham offered him. That context supports, rather than undermines, the literal meaning.
Third, and most crucially, to interpret monogenēs as meaning merely “special” strips the phrase “only begotten Son of God” of its power and depth. It implies that Jesus is not truly from the Father, not truly His Son in a generational, life-derived sense. But that is not how the Bible speaks.
The Scriptures boldly declare:
“The Word was with God, and the Word was God... and the Word became flesh.” (John 1:1, 14)
“We beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)
To claim that “only begotten” merely means “unique” is to flatten this glory. The truth is more beautiful: Jesus is the only being directly begotten of the Father’s own divine life—before all creation (see Proverbs 8:22–30, John 5:26). He was not created, but came forth from God, as the express image of His person (Hebrews 1:3).
Conclusion
When Scripture calls Jesus the only begotten Son, it does not mean merely “special” or “beloved.” It means what the Greek word clearly expresses in every usage: the only one born of. In Jesus’ case, He alone shares the divine nature by actual divine begetting—a truth that is the foundation of His Sonship and the gospel itself.
“This is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent.” (John 17:3)
Let us receive the Word as it reads, and honor the Son for who He truly is—the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.