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)
The Jews aren't just angry; they're lodging a formal charge. They use a specific preposition, meaning "concerning" or "on the charge of," indicating they see this as a legal indictment for blasphemy under their law, not just a reaction to his "good works." They truly believed he was claiming divine status in a way that merited death according to their religious statutes.
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)
Jesus has just asserted his unity with the Father and his divine authority to give his life and take it again, leading the crowd to pick up stones to kill him. When Jesus asks them which good deed of his merits such punishment, they clarify their intention: it's not for any good deed, but for blasphemy, specifically because he, a mere human, claims divinity.
When Jesus declared His unity with the Father, the religious leaders didn't just disagree; they brought formal charges. Their words reveal a carefully constructed legal accusation.
The Jews' response, "For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy...", uses a specific preposition that signals a formal indictment rather than a simple explanation. They weren't just chatting; they were laying out the charges for an execution. This wasn't a casual debate about theology, but a capital offense in their eyes.
The Charge:
Did Jesus mean He was like God, or was He claiming to be God? The Jews’ reaction hinges entirely on how they interpreted His claim, 'I and the Father are one.'
Jesus' statement, "I and the Father are one" (John 10:30), was the flashpoint. The Jews understood this in the most literal and offensive way possible: that Jesus, a man, was claiming equality with God.
Their Interpretation:
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The Jews presented their attack as righteous anger, a defense of God's honor. But Scripture shows their rage was fueled by unbelief, not genuine godly zeal.
While the Jews accused Jesus of blasphemy, claiming they were defending God's honor, the text suggests a darker motive: unbelief and rage.
The Contrast:
Understand the original words
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 Jews' accusation of blasphemy in John 10:33 isn't just a random outburst; it's rooted in their understanding of the Mosaic Law and a repeated conflict over Jesus' claims to divinity, which they viewed as a direct affront to God's unique status.
c. 30 AD— this verse
Jesus claims unity with the Father
During a festival in Jerusalem, Jesus declares, "I and the Father are one." This statement becomes the immediate cause of the Jews' outrage.
Leviticus 24:16
Mosaic Law on Blasphemy
The Law prescribed stoning as the punishment for blasphemy, defined as cursing God's name.
John 5:18
Previous Accusation of Divinity
Earlier in Jesus' ministry, he was accused of blasphemy for claiming God was his Father, making himself equal with God. This shows a recurring conflict over his identity.
Psalm 82:6
Scripture Calls Men 'gods'
Jesus later references this Psalm, where human judges are called 'gods' due to their God-given authority, to counter the accusation that he, as the Son of God, is blaspheming.
c. 33 AD
Jesus' Crucifixion
Ultimately, the charge of blasphemy, stemming from claims of divinity, will be a central accusation leading to Jesus' trial and crucifixion.
This verse lays out the severe penalty for practicing sorcery, which carried a death sentence in the Old Testament law. While the Jews in John 10 accuse Jesus of blasphemy, this passage shows a broader context of religious 'crimes' that could provoke capital punishment.
Leviticus 24:16This passage directly addresses blasphemy against the Lord, stating the offender shall be put to death. The Jews' charge against Jesus of blasphemy directly echoes this Old Testament law, showing the gravity of their accusation in their eyes.
Psalm 82:6Jesus himself quotes this verse to counter the accusation of blasphemy, pointing out that even the Scriptures refer to human judges as 'gods'. This highlights Jesus' argument that His claim to be the Son of God is not inherently blasphemous, especially given His divine mission.
Isaiah 9:6This prophecy foretells a 'Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace' who would be born. The Jews' accusation that Jesus, a mere man, makes Himself God stands in stark contrast to this prophetic declaration of Jesus' divine identity.
John 5:18This earlier passage in John's Gospel details a similar accusation by the Jews against Jesus for calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God. It shows a consistent pattern of misunderstanding and opposition to Jesus' claims of divine identity.
barnesJohn 10:33: "The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God."
For blasphemy - See the notes at Matthew 9:3 . Makest thyself God - See the notes at John 5:18. This shows how they understood what he had said. Makest thyself - Dost claim to be God, or thy language implies this.
vincentJohn 10:33: "The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God."
SayingOmit.
The Jews aren't just angry; they're lodging a formal charge. They use a specific preposition, meaning "concerning" or "on the charge of," indicating they see this as a legal indictment for blasphemy under their law, not just a reaction to his "good works." They truly believed he was claiming divine status in a way that merited death according to their religious statutes.
Jesus has just asserted his unity with the Father and his divine authority to give his life and take it again, leading the crowd to pick up stones to kill him. When Jesus asks them which good deed of his merits such punishment, they clarify their intention: it's not for any good deed, but for blasphemy, specifically because he, a mere human, claims divinity.
Jesus has just asserted his unity with the Father and his divine authority to give his life and take it again, leading the crowd to pick up stones to kill him. When Jesus asks them which good deed of his merits such punishment, they clarify their intention: it's not for any good deed, but for blasphemy, specifically because he, a mere human, claims divinity.
"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.”" — The Jews aren't just angry; they're lodging a formal charge. They use a specific preposition, meaning "concerning" or "on the charge of," indicating they see this as a legal indictment for blasphemy…
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Last reviewed October 2026