Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I said, you are gods’? If he called them gods to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be broken—
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is cleverly using the Jews' own Scriptures against them, pointing out that "gods" can refer to humans in their Law, specifically rulers acting as God's representatives. This isn't to diminish God's uniqueness, but to show that titles can be applied in various ways, setting the stage for His own divine identity.
Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I said, you are gods’? If he called them gods to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be broken—
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Jewish leaders are furious, grabbing stones to kill Jesus because they believe he's blaspheming by calling himself God. Jesus calmly responds, asking if their own Law doesn't call certain people "gods," pointing out their hypocrisy in condemning him while their scriptures use such a term. He's not backing down from his divine identity but is using their own sacred texts to expose their flawed reasoning and violent rage.
When Jesus quotes Scripture, He uses the word 'Law' in a way that might surprise you. What did He include, and why does it matter?
When Jesus says "your Law," He's not just referring to the first five books of the Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy). In His day, the term 'Law' was often used more broadly to encompass the entire collection of Jewish Scripture – what we call the Old Testament today.
Jesus quotes Psalm 82, calling certain people 'gods.' Who were these 'gods,' and how does this support His claim of divinity?
The passage Jesus quotes from Psalm 82:6 says, 'I said, You are gods.' But who are these 'gods' mentioned in Scripture?
Ask a follow-up
The Jews accused Jesus of blasphemy for claiming to be God. Did Jesus back down, or did He lean in?
Jesus' response to the accusation of blasphemy is crucial. He doesn't deny making the claim to be God or the Son of God; instead, He uses their own Scriptures to justify it.
Understand the original words
nomos · Greek Noun
Refers to the entire body of inspired writings (the Old Testament); the term highlights the authoritative, divine nature of the sacred text.
theos · Greek Noun
In the context of the quotation from Psalm 82, it refers to those who receive divine authority or judicial office; Jesus uses it to defend His unique identity as the Son of God.
graphē · Greek Noun
A technical term for the sacred, divinely inspired writings; it signifies that the text is God-breathed and carries absolute, unimpeachable authority.
logos · Greek Noun
Refers to the objective message or truth revealed by God to His people; it denotes the authoritative revelation that cannot be nullified or invalidated.
Jesus' reference to Psalm 82 highlights how the Old Testament itself used the term 'gods' for human judges, appointed by God to represent His authority. This context was crucial for his Jewish audience, who revered their Law and scriptures, and Jesus used it to challenge their understanding of his own divine claims.
c. 1000 BC
Davidic Kingdom Established
King David unifies the tribes and establishes Jerusalem as the capital, ushering in a golden age for Israel.
c. 970 BC
Temple in Jerusalem Built
Solomon, David's son, builds the First Temple, centralizing worship and solidifying the religious and political identity of the Jewish people.
c. 800 BC
Psalms Compiled
Many of the Psalms, including Psalm 82 which Jesus quotes, are collected and become part of the sacred writings revered by the Jewish people.
c. 722 BC
Northern Kingdom Conquered
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern kingdom of Israel, scattering its people and leaving the southern kingdom of Judah more vulnerable.
586 BC
Jerusalem and Temple Destroyed
The Babylonian Empire destroys Jerusalem and the First Temple, leading to the exile of many Jews.
c. 30 AD— this verse
Jesus' Ministry and Confrontation
During Jesus' public ministry, he engages in intense debates with Jewish leaders, including the confrontation described in John 10.
c. 70 AD
Second Temple Destroyed
The Roman Empire destroys Jerusalem and the Second Temple, marking a profound turning point for Judaism and scattering Jewish people across the diaspora.
This is the direct source of Jesus' quote, highlighting that even human judges were called 'gods' because they represented God's authority.
Exodus 22:28This passage instructs not to revile 'gods' (judges or rulers), showing a biblical precedent for attributing divine authority to human office-holders.
John 5:18This passage shows the Jews understanding Jesus' claims as blasphemy for making himself equal with God, directly mirroring the accusation in John 10.
Romans 13:1-2Paul echoes the principle that governing authorities derive their power from God, thus bearing a semblance of His authority, similar to how Jesus applies the term 'gods' in Psalm 82.
John 1:1This verse establishes Jesus' divine identity as the Word who was with God and was God, providing the ultimate context for why his claims to divinity are fundamentally different and true, unlike the representative titles given to others.
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…
henryJohn 10:31-38: "Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him."
10:31-38 Christ's works of power and mercy proclaim him to be over all, God blessed for evermore, that all may know and believe He is in the Father, and the Father in Him. Whom the Father sends, he sanctifies. The holy God will reward, and therefore will employ, none but such as he makes holy. The Father was in the Son, so that by Divine power he wrought his miracles; the Son was so in the Father, that he knew the whole of His mi…
Jesus is cleverly using the Jews' own Scriptures against them, pointing out that "gods" can refer to humans in their Law, specifically rulers acting as God's representatives. This isn't to diminish God's uniqueness, but to show that titles can be applied in various ways, setting the stage for His own divine identity.
The Jewish leaders are furious, grabbing stones to kill Jesus because they believe he's blaspheming by calling himself God. Jesus calmly responds, asking if their own Law doesn't call certain people "gods," pointing out their hypocrisy in condemning him while their scriptures use such a term. He's not backing down from his divine identity but is using their own sacred texts to expose their flawed reasoning and violent rage.
The Jewish leaders are furious, grabbing stones to kill Jesus because they believe he's blaspheming by calling himself God. Jesus calmly responds, asking if their own Law doesn't call certain people "gods," pointing out their hypocrisy in condemning him while their scriptures use such a term. He's not backing down from his divine identity but is using their own sacred texts to expose their flawed reasoning and violent rage.
"Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I said, you are gods’? If he called them gods to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be broken—" — Jesus is cleverly using the Jews' own Scriptures against them, pointing out that "gods" can refer to humans in their Law, specifically rulers acting as God's representatives. This isn't to diminish G…
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Last reviewed October 2026