If he called them gods to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be broken—
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus isn't just quoting a verse to win an argument; he's revealing a foundational principle: when God's Word addresses or commissions someone, even Scripture itself calls them "gods." This highlights that the authority of God's Word is absolute and unbreakable, establishing a divine precedent for titles of honor given by God.
If he called them gods to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be broken—
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is in the midst of a heated confrontation where the Jewish leaders have just accused him of blasphemy for claiming to be the Son of God. To defend himself, Jesus points to a passage in the Psalms where God himself refers to earthly judges and rulers as "gods." He argues that if Scripture, which cannot be invalidated, uses such a title for those who received a commission from God, then his own claim to be the Son of God is hardly blasphemous.
Ever wondered why ancient judges or rulers were sometimes called 'gods'? Jesus uses this to defend His own divine claims. It's not just a random title, but one rooted in God's own commission.
Jesus is addressing the accusation of blasphemy. The Jewish leaders are furious because He claimed to be the Son of God, a claim they saw as elevating Himself to God's level.
Jesus counters by quoting Psalm 82:6: 'I said, You are gods, and all of you are children of the Most High.' He points out that even their own Scriptures, the 'Law' which includes the Psalms, use the title 'gods' for human rulers.
Why? Because the word of God came to them. This means they received a divine commission, an authoritative mandate from God to rule and administer justice. They were acting as God's representatives on earth. Their authority, and thus the title, stemmed directly from God's decree.
Jesus doesn't just cite Scripture; He appeals to its ultimate, unbreakable authority. What does this tell us about the very nature of God's Word?
The phrase 'and Scripture cannot be broken' is a powerful declaration. Jesus isn't just saying the Scripture is old or important; He's asserting its absolute, inviolable authority.
Think of it this way: if the Scripture itself says these rulers could be called 'gods' by divine appointment, then that statement stands. It cannot be undone, set aside, or proven false. Its integrity is absolute.
For Jesus, this isn't a minor point. It's the bedrock of His argument. If even a passage referring to human magistrates as 'gods' (because of God's word to them) is unbreakable, then His own claim to be the Son of God—a far greater reality—must also be received by faith, especially in light of His divine works and His unique consecration by the Father.
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Understand the original words
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.
This verse comes from a heated exchange where Jesus is accused of blasphemy for claiming to be one with the Father. He deflects this by citing Psalm 82, where God himself calls imperfect human judges 'gods' because the 'word of God came to them'—meaning they received their authority and pronouncements from God. Jesus uses this to argue that if Scripture itself applies such a title to earthly authorities, then his own divine identity, confirmed by the Father, cannot be blasphemy.
c. 1000 BC
Davidic Kingdom Flourishes
Under King David and his son Solomon, the united monarchy of Israel reaches its zenith. This period is marked by centralized worship, a strong monarchy, and significant literary and artistic development, including the Psalms.
c. 970 BC
Solomon's Temple Completed
King Solomon completes the First Temple in Jerusalem, a magnificent structure intended to house the Ark of the Covenant and serve as the central place of worship for Israel. This event solidifies Jerusalem's religious importance.
c. 750 BC
Prophetic Ministry Begins
Major prophetic ministries, such as those of Isaiah and Amos, commence in the kingdoms of Judah and Israel. These prophets often deliver God's word to kings and rulers, sometimes rebuking them for their injustice and unfaithfulness.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the Northern Kingdom of Israel, destroying its capital, Samaria. This event marks a severe judgment from God and leads to the exile of many Israelites, profoundly impacting the religious and political landscape.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
The Babylonian Empire under Nebuchadnezzar conquers the Southern Kingdom of Judah, destroys Jerusalem and the First Temple, and exiles much of the population. This is a catastrophic turning point for the Jewish people and their faith.
c. 538 BC
Return from Exile
Following the Persian conquest of Babylon, Cyrus the Great issues a decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. This marks the beginning of the Second Temple period.
c. AD 28-30
Jesus' Public Ministry
Jesus Christ begins his public ministry, teaching, healing, and performing miracles throughout Galilee and Judea. His claims and actions increasingly provoke opposition from the religious authorities.
This is the very passage Jesus quotes to make His point, highlighting that even earthly judges, who represent God's authority, were called 'gods.' It underscores that the term could be applied to those entrusted with divine authority, providing the foundation for Jesus' argument.
Exodus 22:28This Old Testament law instructs the Israelites not to 'revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people,' showing that respect and a certain deference were due to those in positions of authority, a concept that supports the idea of them being metaphorically referred to with elevated titles.
John 1:1While John 10:35 refers to the 'word of God' coming to judges, John 1:1 establishes Jesus as the divine 'Word of God' who was with God and was God from the beginning. This highlights the qualitative difference between those earthly 'gods' and Jesus, who is the ultimate divine reality.
Romans 13:1Paul echoes the principle that governing authorities are established by God, stating, 'Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.' This reinforces the idea that earthly rulers derive their authority from God, aligning with why they might be called 'gods' in Scripture.
1 Samuel 28:13The witch of Endor, when questioned by Saul, states, 'I saw gods coming up from the earth.' This demonstrates a broader, though perhaps more varied, use of the term 'gods' in Scripture, which could have included spiritual beings or divinely empowered individuals, further contextualizing the argument Jesus makes.
barnesJohn 10:35: "If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;"
Unto whom the word of God came - That is, who were his servants, or who received their dignity and honor only because the law of God was intrusted to them. "The Word of God" here means the command of God; his commission to them to do justice. The scripture cannot be broken - See Matthew 5:19. The authority of the Scripture is final; it cannot be set aside. The meaning is, "If, therefore, th…
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 quoting a verse to win an argument; he's revealing a foundational principle: when God's Word addresses or commissions someone, even Scripture itself calls them "gods." This highlights that the authority of God's Word is absolute and unbreakable, establishing a divine precedent for titles of honor given by God.
Jesus is in the midst of a heated confrontation where the Jewish leaders have just accused him of blasphemy for claiming to be the Son of God. To defend himself, Jesus points to a passage in the Psalms where God himself refers to earthly judges and rulers as "gods." He argues that if Scripture, which cannot be invalidated, uses such a title for those who received a commission from God, then his own claim to be the Son of God is hardly blasphemous.
Jesus is in the midst of a heated confrontation where the Jewish leaders have just accused him of blasphemy for claiming to be the Son of God. To defend himself, Jesus points to a passage in the Psalms where God himself refers to earthly judges and rulers as "gods." He argues that if Scripture, which cannot be invalidated, uses such a title for those who received a commission from God, then his own claim to be the Son of God is hardly blasphemous.
"If he called them gods to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be broken—" — Jesus isn't just quoting a verse to win an argument; he's revealing a foundational principle: when God's Word addresses or commissions someone, even Scripture itself calls them "gods." This highlight…
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Last reviewed October 2026