Jesus doesn't just point to a verse; he highlights how the very Scripture the Jews held sacred calls human judges "gods." This reveals that the term "god" in the Old Testament could be used metaphorically for those holding divine authority, making their accusation of blasphemy against him for claiming a divine relationship a severe misunderstanding. He's showing them that the Scripture itself, the very foundation of their law, validates a connection to the divine that they are now rejecting in him.
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— do you say of him whom the Father consecrated and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’?
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Jewish leaders, enraged by Jesus' claim to be one with the Father, pick up stones to kill him for blasphemy. Jesus calmly asks them why they're trying to stone him, given all the good works he's done on behalf of the Father. When they accuse him of blasphemy for claiming divinity as a mere man, Jesus defends himself by pointing to a passage in their own Scriptures where people are called "gods."
The religious leaders are furious, ready to stone Jesus for claiming divine authority. But Jesus pulls a shocking passage from their own Scriptures to counter their accusation. How can a verse calling people 'gods' justify His claim?
Jesus doesn't deny the charge of blasphemy to immediately justify Himself. Instead, He turns the tables by quoting Psalm 82:6: “I said, you are gods.”
Gods of Authority
This verse, part of what the Jews considered their Law (even though it's in the Psalms), was used by God to speak to earthly judges. Because these judges were appointed by God to rule and administer His justice, they were given a special title: 'gods.'
This wasn't about elevating them to God's level, but about acknowledging the divine authority they represented. Their office, by God's appointment, carried a weight and honor that mirrored God's own rule.
Jesus uses this to show that the Scriptures themselves recognize a concept of humans being called 'gods' based on their God-given roles.
Jesus quotes Scripture calling earthly judges 'gods.' But He isn't just any 'god.' How does this quote become a powerful springboard for His unique identity as the Son of God?
Jesus’s argument isn't a simple equivalence. It's a powerful 'much more so' argument (a fortiori).
The Greater to the Lesser
If Scripture, under divine inspiration, could call imperfect, even unjust, human judges 'gods' because of the authority God delegated to them, then how much more fitting is it for Jesus, whom the Father Himself set apart and sent into the world, to be called the Son of God?
Ask a follow-up
The judges in Psalm 82 were flawed, representing God imperfectly. Jesus, however, is perfectly God's representative, the one He 'sanctified and sent into the world.'
By appealing to this passage, Jesus exposes the flawed logic of His accusers. They accept the lesser title for human authorities yet reject the divine title for the one who perfectly embodies the Father's nature and mission.
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.
hagiazō · Greek Verb
To set apart for a holy purpose or divine service. It implies being sanctified or dedicated exclusively to God’s will and mission.
apostellō · Greek Verb
The term describes one dispatched with delegated authority. In the New Testament, it specifically refers to Jesus as the One sent by God the Father to reveal His nature and accomplish the work of salvation.
blasphēmeō · Greek Verb
The act of showing contempt or irreverence toward God, often by claiming divine attributes or authority that belong to God alone. Jesus was accused of this for claiming equality with God.
huios tou theou · Greek Noun Phrase
A title of profound intimacy and unique relationship with God. It expresses the shared divine nature of the Second Person of the Trinity with the Father, reflecting both pre-existence and eternal sonship.
Jesus' reference to Psalm 82 isn't just a clever wordplay; it's a direct challenge to the religious establishment. By quoting Scripture that calls human judges 'gods' due to their God-given authority, Jesus highlights their hypocrisy in accusing him of blasphemy for claiming to be the Son of God.
c. 1000 BC
Psalms Compiled
The Book of Psalms, which contains Psalm 82, is compiled, representing a significant collection of Israel's worship and wisdom literature.
c. 550 BC
Exile and Return Context
While the exact date of Psalm 82's composition is debated, its inclusion in the Psalter means it was part of the scripture read and studied by Jews during and after the Babylonian exile.
Early 1st century AD
Jewish Rejection of Jesus' Claims
During Jesus' ministry, Jewish leaders and crowds frequently challenged his authority and teachings, often seeking to accuse him of blasphemy.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Confrontation in the Temple
Jesus is confronted by Jewish leaders in the Temple during the Feast of Dedication. They demand to know if he is the Christ, and when he claims divine authority, they pick up stones to kill him.
This is the exact passage Jesus quotes, highlighting that even in Scripture, human judges, acting in God's stead, are referred to as 'gods'. This sets the stage for Jesus' argument about His own unique relationship with the Father.
Exodus 22:28This verse instructs not to revile 'gods', referring to human judges or rulers. It shows how the Old Testament uses the term 'gods' for those in positions of authority, providing context for Jesus' argument that calling himself 'Son of God' is not necessarily blasphemy.
John 5:18Here, the Jewish leaders also accuse Jesus of blasphemy for calling God His own Father, 'making himself equal with God'. This provides a parallel accusation and Jesus' similar defense of His divine identity.
Romans 9:20Paul uses a rhetorical question, 'Who are you, O man, to answer back to God?', echoing the idea of human limitations in understanding God's sovereignty and actions. This contrasts with Jesus' bold assertion of His divine identity and authority.
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 doesn't just point to a verse; he highlights how the very Scripture the Jews held sacred calls human judges "gods." This reveals that the term "god" in the Old Testament could be used metaphorically for those holding divine authority, making their accusation of blasphemy against him for claiming a divine relationship a severe misunderstanding. He's showing them that the Scripture itself, the very foundation of their law, validates a connection to the divine that they are now rejecting in him.
The Jewish leaders, enraged by Jesus' claim to be one with the Father, pick up stones to kill him for blasphemy. Jesus calmly asks them why they're trying to stone him, given all the good works he's done on behalf of the Father. When they accuse him of blasphemy for claiming divinity as a mere man, Jesus defends himself by pointing to a passage in their own Scriptures where people are called "gods."
The Jewish leaders, enraged by Jesus' claim to be one with the Father, pick up stones to kill him for blasphemy. Jesus calmly asks them why they're trying to stone him, given all the good works he's done on behalf of the Father. When they accuse him of blasphemy for claiming divinity as a mere man, Jesus defends himself by pointing to a passage in their own Scriptures where people are called "gods."
"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— do you say of him whom the Father consecrated and sent into the world, ‘You ar…" — Jesus doesn't just point to a verse; he highlights how the very Scripture the Jews held sacred calls human judges "gods." This reveals that the term "god" in the Old Testament could be used metaphori…
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Last reviewed October 2026
