John 10:35
If he called them gods to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be broken—
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jesus is defending himself after the Jewish leaders tried to stone him for claiming to be the Son of God. He points out that their own Scriptures, specifically Psalm 82, refer to earthly judges as "gods" because they received their authority from God. Jesus argues that if the Scripture itself uses such titles for human authorities, then his own claim of divine sonship, given his unique sanctification and mission from the Father, cannot be blasphemy.
Why would Jesus refer to earthly judges as 'gods'? It sounds like blasphemy, right? But Jesus uses this to defend His own claims to divinity.
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Jesus is responding to the Jews who want to stone Him for claiming to be the Son of God (John 10:33). He confronts them with a passage from Psalm 82, where God Himself addresses earthly judges, saying, 'You are gods' (Psalm 82:6).
Who Are These 'Gods'?
Jesus stakes His claim to divinity on a phrase: 'Scripture cannot be broken.' What does this say about the authority of the Bible itself?
The phrase 'Scripture cannot be broken' (or 'cannot be loosed,' 'cannot be undone') is a powerful statement about the enduring and unassailable nature of God's Word.
Why It Matters:
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.
Jesus' bold claim to be the Son of God, met with outrage by the Jewish leaders, is defended by referencing Old Testament scriptures (specifically Psalm 82) where even human judges were called 'gods' because the 'word of God came to them.' This historical context highlights the leaders' selective interpretation and their rejection of Jesus' divine identity despite His miraculous works.
c. 1000 BC
Davidic Monarchy Established
King David establishes Jerusalem as the capital of the united Israelite kingdom, marking a high point of national identity and divine favor.
c. 722 BC
Fall of the Northern Kingdom of Israel
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern kingdom of Israel, leading to the exile of many Israelites and a sense of divine judgment.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
The Babylonians conquer Jerusalem, destroy the Temple, and exile many Judeans, a devastating event that profoundly shaped Jewish identity and theology.
c. 500 BC
Compilation of the Psalms
The collection of poetic and liturgical songs known as the Psalms is compiled, including Psalm 82, which references judges as 'gods'.
c. 20 BC - 15 BC
Jesus' Early Life and Ministry Begin
Jesus grows up in Nazareth and begins his public ministry, teaching, healing, and gathering disciples.
c. AD 30 - 33— this verse
Jesus' Final Week in Jerusalem
Jesus enters Jerusalem triumphantly, teaches in the Temple, and engages in intense theological debates with Jewish leaders, culminating in the confrontation at John 10.
This is the passage Jesus directly quotes to make His point, showing that even human judges, acting under God's authority, were called 'gods'. It highlights the basis of His argument that His own divine identity is far more legitimate than theirs.
Exodus 22:28This verse, which likely informed the understanding of 'gods' in Psalm 82, shows that even earthly rulers and judges were to be spoken of with reverence, because they held God-given authority. This reinforces the idea that titles used in Scripture have a specific, often derivative, divine context.
John 1:1While John 10:35 refers to the 'word of God' as the divine message or authority given to earthly officials, John 1:1 identifies Jesus Himself as 'the Word' who was with God and was God. This provides a crucial contrast and clarifies that Jesus' claim to divinity is foundational, not derivative like the judges in Psalm 82.
Romans 13:1-2This passage explains that governing authorities are established by God, reinforcing the concept that earthly rulers derive their position and authority from Him. It echoes the idea in John 10:35 that 'the word of God came' to those in such positions, granting them a divinely sanctioned, albeit lower, standing.
John 5:46Here, Jesus tells the Jews that if they believed Moses, they would believe Him, because Moses wrote about Him. This connects to the immutability of Scripture mentioned in John 10:35 ('Scripture cannot be broken'), emphasizing that the truth of God's Word, including prophecies and testimonies about the Son, stands firm.
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…
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Jesus is defending himself after the Jewish leaders tried to stone him for claiming to be the Son of God. He points out that their own Scriptures, specifically Psalm 82, refer to earthly judges as "gods" because they received their authority from God. Jesus argues that if the Scripture itself uses such titles for human authorities, then his own claim of divine sonship, given his unique sanctification and mission from the Father, cannot be blasphemy.
Jesus is defending himself after the Jewish leaders tried to stone him for claiming to be the Son of God. He points out that their own Scriptures, specifically Psalm 82, refer to earthly judges as "gods" because they received their authority from God. Jesus argues that if the Scripture itself uses such titles for human authorities, then his own claim of divine sonship, given his unique sanctification and mission from the Father, cannot be blasphemy.
"If he called them gods to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be broken—" — { "hasHistoricalBackground": true, "events": [ { "date": "c. 1000 BC", "title": "Davidic Kingdom Flourishes", "description": "Under King David and his son Solomon, Jerusalem…
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