John 10:32-33
Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?” The Jews answered him, “It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
Jesus isn't just asking which single act they're upset about; he's asking about the quality of these "good works" (which were acts of healing, feeding, and teaching) and challenging them to find anything in their nature that would warrant violence. He's pointing out their profound ingratitude by implying that acts of divine goodness, originating from the Father, are precisely the reason they want to kill him.
The Jewish leaders have just accused Jesus of blasphemy and are now picking up stones to kill him. Jesus responds by pointing out the numerous good deeds and miracles he has performed among them, all of which were done with the Father's authority, questioning why they would attack him for such acts of kindness. This leads into a deeper debate where Jesus defends his divine claims by referencing Scripture and the unique relationship he has with God.
Jesus is facing an angry mob, stones in hand, ready to kill him. His defense? A simple question about his actions. What makes his 'good works' so powerful?
Jesus confronts the violent accusation of the Jews by pointing to the evidence: 'many good works from the Father.' He's not just listing random acts of kindness. These aren't just 'nice deeds'; the original Greek word suggests works of superior moral excellence and beauty, works that call for admiration.
Think about it:
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about John 10:32-33 is available in the Sola app.
The Jews claim they aren't stoning Jesus for his good deeds, but for something much more serious. What's the real charge, and why is it so explosive?
Jesus’s question hangs in the air: 'For which of them are you going to stone me?' The Jews’ answer, revealed in the following verses, cuts to the heart of the conflict: 'For blasphemy, and because you, being a man, make yourself God.'
Here’s the breakdown:
Jesus challenges the Jews to pick just one work for which they would stone him. But the original language hints at a deeper question than just 'which one?'
When Jesus asks, 'for which of those works do ye stone me?', the Greek word he uses has a subtle but powerful meaning. It’s not just asking 'which one out of many?' but more like, 'what is the character or quality of that work, among all these, that you find objectionable?'
This distinction matters:
Understand the original words
ergon · Greek Noun
In John's context, these refer to the miraculous signs performed by Jesus, which serve as evidence of His divine identity and mission from the Father.
patēr · Greek Noun
The first person of the Trinity, the eternal Source from whom the Son proceeds and in whose authority Jesus acts and speaks.
blasphēmia · Greek Noun
An act of contemptuous speech or action against God, claiming divine prerogatives or identity, which in the Jewish legal framework was considered the most severe religious offense.
The escalating conflict described in John 10 wasn't a sudden outburst, but the culmination of Jesus' public ministry in Jerusalem, where His powerful works and divine claims directly challenged the religious establishment.
c. AD 28-30
Jesus' Galilean Ministry
Jesus performs numerous miracles of healing, compassion, and power throughout Galilee, demonstrating divine authority and compassion.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Ministry in Jerusalem
Jesus travels to Jerusalem, teaching in the temple courts and performing miracles, leading to increasing conflict with religious authorities.
c. AD 33
The Raising of Lazarus
Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead, a profound miracle that further solidifies belief in Him for some, but intensifies the opposition of the Jewish leaders.
c. AD 33— this verse
Confrontation in the Temple
During the Feast of Dedication, Jesus claims unique unity with the Father, leading the Jews to accuse Him of blasphemy and attempt to stone Him.
c. AD 33
Jesus Withdraws from Jerusalem
Following the attempt on His life, Jesus withdraws to the region east of the Jordan River to continue His ministry.
Jesus alludes to this psalm when challenged about blasphemy, showing that even Scripture calls lesser beings 'gods,' which highlights the unreasonableness of their accusation against Him.
Isaiah 53:3This passage describes the Messiah being despised and rejected by men, mirroring the rejection Jesus faced despite His good works, showing a prophetic parallel to His suffering.
Deuteronomy 13:5The Jews were prepared to stone Jesus based on their understanding of the Law against false prophets; Jesus challenges them by pointing out His 'good works' which contradict the idea of Him being a deceiver.
John 5:36Jesus previously stated that the 'works' He did testified that the Father sent Him. This verse reinforces His argument in John 10:32 that His miraculous deeds were divine validation, not grounds for condemnation.
John 9:16Some of the Pharisees were divided about Jesus after the healing of the blind man, questioning 'How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?' This reflects the same struggle Jesus points to in John 10:32—the conflict between His works and their accusations.
barnesJohn 10:32: "Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?"
Many good works - Many miracles of benevolence healing the sick, etc. His miracles were good works, as they tended to promote the happiness of men, and were proofs of his benevolence. He had performed no other works than those of benevolence; he knew that they could charge him with no other, and he confidently appealed to them as witnesses of that. Happy would it be if a…
calvinJohn 10:31-36: "Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him."
- Then the Jews again took up stones to stone him. 32. Jesus answered them, Many good works I have shown you from my Father. For which of those works do you stone me? 33. The Jews answered him, We stone thee not for the sake of a good work, but for blasphemy, and, because thou, being a man, makest thyself God. 34. Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your Law, I said, You are gods? 35. If it called them gods, to whom the w…
Jesus isn't just asking which single act they're upset about; he's asking about the quality of these "good works" (which were acts of healing, feeding, and teaching) and challenging them to find anything in their nature that would warrant violence. He's pointing out their profound ingratitude by implying that acts of divine goodness, originating from the Father, are precisely the reason they want to kill him.
The Jewish leaders have just accused Jesus of blasphemy and are now picking up stones to kill him. Jesus responds by pointing out the numerous good deeds and miracles he has performed among them, all of which were done with the Father's authority, questioning why they would attack him for such acts of kindness. This leads into a deeper debate where Jesus defends his divine claims by referencing Scripture and the unique relationship he has with God.
The Jewish leaders have just accused Jesus of blasphemy and are now picking up stones to kill him. Jesus responds by pointing out the numerous good deeds and miracles he has performed among them, all of which were done with the Father's authority, questioning why they would attack him for such acts of kindness. This leads into a deeper debate where Jesus defends his divine claims by referencing Scripture and the unique relationship he has with God.
"Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?” The Jews answered him, “It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a…" — Jesus isn't just asking which single act they're upset about; he's asking about the quality of these "good works" (which were acts of healing, feeding, and teaching) and challenging them to find…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
