But if you say: “The difference between the Messiah and all the prophets before him is that God called him ‘lord,’ for He said, ‘The Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath,’”

we reply: The Torah itself relates that when Lot, peace be upon him, saw the two angels coming from the wilderness to destroy his people, he said to them, “My lords, turn aside to the house of your servant.” Earlier in this book we have already argued from other passages that certain figures—Joseph and others—were likewise called “lord.” If, then, the Messiah is to be deemed God because he was given this title, those others must also be gods, for they too were addressed with the very same word.

And if you claim: “The prophets foretold the divinity of the Messiah, for Isaiah said, ‘A virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Immanuel,’ which means, ‘God is with us,’”

we answer: This is an honorific name that a noble, eminent person may be granted, even though