John 10:33
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)
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They're not just saying Jesus is like God; they're accusing Him of claiming to be God, and that's the ultimate blasphemy in their eyes. What's easy to miss is how their rigid understanding of Jewish law frames their outrage – they see His claims not as a spiritual revelation, but as a legal offense punishable by death.
Jesus has just asserted his unity with the Father, claiming that he and the Father are one. In response, the crowd, incensed, picks up stones to kill him. They clarify their intention: it's not for any good deed he's done, but for what they perceive as the ultimate offense – blasphemy, because he, a mere man, is claiming divine status.
Jesus is speaking with the Jewish leaders, and things are escalating quickly. They pick up stones to attack him. Why this immediate, violent reaction?
When the Jews respond in verse 33, they're not just arguing; they are issuing a formal charge. The Greek word used here, 'peri' (concerning), often signaled an official indictment before a tribunal.
Jesus performs incredible 'good works' that point to His divine power. Yet, the Jewish leaders focus solely on His words and ignore His actions. What does this reveal?
Jesus highlights the irony: they are about to stone Him for what they perceive as a good work (or rather, for His claim in the context of His works), but His miracles and teachings were meant to reveal His divine nature. They charged Him with blasphemy because they saw Him as only a man claiming divinity.
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 accusation of blasphemy in John 10:33 was not a new charge; it stemmed directly from Jesus' claims of unique unity with God the Father, which the Jewish leaders, bound by their understanding of Mosaic Law, interpreted as a direct violation punishable by death.
c. AD 30— this verse
Jesus claims unity with the Father
During the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, Jesus declares, 'I and the Father are one,' leading to intense opposition from Jewish leaders.
Leviticus 24:16
Mosaic Law on Blasphemy
The Law prescribed stoning as the punishment for blasphemy, which included speaking against God's name or claiming divine status inappropriately.
John 5:18
Previous Accusation of Blasphemy
Jesus had previously been accused of blasphemy by Jewish leaders for claiming to have the power to heal on the Sabbath and for calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Ministry and Miracles
Jesus performed numerous 'good works' and miracles, demonstrating divine power, which the Jewish leaders acknowledged but refused to attribute to God's power working through Jesus.
This passage outlines the Old Testament law regarding blasphemy, establishing the concept of severe punishment for taking God's name in vain, which the Jewish leaders were citing as their legal justification.
John 5:18This verse provides crucial context, as Jesus had previously made a similar claim of divine identity, stating 'but also called God his own Father, making himself equal with God,' which led to similar accusations.
Matthew 26:64-66Here, during Jesus' trial, the high priest asks if Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and Jesus affirms it, leading to a charge of blasphemy and condemnation, mirroring the reaction in John 10.
Psalm 82:6Jesus directly quotes this psalm in the subsequent verses (John 10:34-36) to challenge their understanding of 'gods,' showing that the term could be applied to humans in Scripture, thus questioning their accusation of blasphemy against him.
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.
They're not just saying Jesus is like God; they're accusing Him of claiming to be God, and that's the ultimate blasphemy in their eyes. What's easy to miss is how their rigid understanding of Jewish law frames their outrage – they see His claims not as a spiritual revelation, but as a legal offense punishable by death.
Jesus has just asserted his unity with the Father, claiming that he and the Father are one. In response, the crowd, incensed, picks up stones to kill him. They clarify their intention: it's not for any good deed he's done, but for what they perceive as the ultimate offense – blasphemy, because he, a mere man, is claiming divine status.
Jesus has just asserted his unity with the Father, claiming that he and the Father are one. In response, the crowd, incensed, picks up stones to kill him. They clarify their intention: it's not for any good deed he's done, but for what they perceive as the ultimate offense – blasphemy, because he, a mere man, is claiming divine status.
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c. AD 33
Jesus' Trial and Crucifixion
Ultimately, the charge of blasphemy for claiming to be God's Son and equal with God was a primary accusation leading to Jesus' trial and crucifixion.
"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.”" — They're not just saying Jesus is like God; they're accusing Him of claiming to be God, and that's the ultimate blasphemy in their eyes. What's easy to miss is how their rigid understanding of Jew…
