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)
Jesus points out the inconsistency: if earthly judges could be called "gods" because they represented God's authority, then how could He, whom the Father consecrated and sent on a divine mission, be accused of blasphemy for claiming the title "Son of God"? The word "consecrated" here doesn't mean made holy, but rather set apart for a unique, sacred purpose—a far greater designation than that given to human magistrates.
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)
Jesus is directly confronting the religious leaders who are about to stone him for blasphemy, after he claimed a unique relationship with God. He reminds them that their own Scriptures called human judges "gods," and argues that if those with earthly authority could bear such titles, then his own claim to be "Son of God"—a title the Father consecrated and sent him into the world to fulfill—could not possibly be blasphemy.
Why did Jesus connect His claim of being the 'Son of God' to being 'consecrated' and 'sent' by the Father?
When Jesus says "whom the Father hath consecrated and sent into the world," He's not just stating a fact; He's grounding His identity and mission in God's direct action.
Divine Setting Apart
'Consecrated' here doesn't mean made holy (Jesus was always holy). Instead, it means set apart, devoted to a unique, sacred purpose. God Himself designated Jesus for a specific, divine role.
A Missioned Messenger
Being 'sent into the world' emphasizes that Jesus wasn't an independent operator. He came with a commission from the Father, a divine mandate to carry out a specific mission of redemption and revelation. His entire existence and work were an outflow of this divine appointment.
The religious leaders were furious, accusing Jesus of blasphemy. What was at the heart of their accusation, and why was Jesus' response so powerful?
The core of the Jews' accusation was that Jesus, a mere man, was making Himself God by claiming to be the 'Son of God.' They saw this as an ultimate offense against God's majesty.
The Jews' Interpretation
In their eyes, calling oneself 'Son of God' was tantamount to declaring equality with God, which they considered blasphemous. They were fixated on Jesus' humanity and refused to acknowledge the divine implications of His claims and actions.
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Jesus' Rebuttal: The 'Gods' Argument
Jesus skillfully turns their accusation back on them by referencing Psalm 82:6, where even human judges, who were given authority by God, were called 'gods' and 'children of the Most High.' His argument is a logical progression: if those with God-given authority could be called 'gods,' how much more could He, whom the Father consecrated and sent with divine authority, be called the Son of God without it being blasphemy?
Jesus' claim, 'I am the Son of God,' wasn't just a label. What deeper reality was He revealing about Himself and His relationship with the Father?
For Jesus, being the 'Son of God' wasn't merely about holding an honored position or having a special connection to God, like the judges in Psalm 82. It spoke to His unique divine nature and His intimate, eternal relationship with the Father.
Essential Divinity
While the judges were called 'gods' because of their God-appointed authority, Jesus’ claim goes infinitely further. He is not merely called a son of God due to an office; He is the Son of God by nature. This implies an essential unity with the Father's being, a concept the Jews found difficult, if not impossible, to accept.
Revelation of the Father
Jesus’ identity as the Son of God is inseparable from His mission. He was sent to reveal the Father. His entire work – His teachings, His miracles, His sacrifice – was the Father's work made visible through Him. Therefore, to reject His claim as the Son of God was to reject the Father who sent Him.
Understand the original words
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' defense hinges on the interpretation of Scripture by his accusers. By referencing Old Testament texts that call human judges 'gods,' Jesus argues that their charge of blasphemy for calling himself the Son of God is inconsistent and unfair, given his unique consecration and divine mission.
c. 1000 BC
Psalms Written
The Book of Psalms, which contains Psalm 82, is composed. This psalm would later be referenced by Jesus.
c. 400 BC
Old Testament Canon Forms
The books of the Old Testament, including Psalms, are recognized as authoritative scripture by Jewish communities.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Jesus' Ministry in Jerusalem
Jesus is teaching in the Temple during the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah). His claims to divine authority and identity lead to increasing conflict with Jewish leaders.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Trial and Crucifixion
Following his ministry, Jesus is arrested, tried, and crucified. His claims, including being the Son of God, are central to the accusations against him.
c. AD 90-100
Gospel of John Written
The Gospel of John is written, recording Jesus' interactions and teachings, including the dialogue at the Feast of Dedication where he asserts his divine sonship.
Jesus directly quotes this Psalm (verse 34) where God calls human judges 'gods' and 'children of the Most High' to show the inconsistency of the Jews' charge of blasphemy against Him for calling Himself the Son of God.
John 1:14This verse speaks of the Word becoming flesh and dwelling among us, highlighting the divine consecration and mission of Jesus into the world, which is central to His claim of being the Son of God.
Hebrews 1:1-3This passage describes God appointing His Son as heir of all things and creating the universe through Him, emphasizing the unique, divine status and consecration of the Son that underpins His identity.
Romans 1:4Paul describes Jesus as being 'designated Son of God in power' by his resurrection, underscoring that Jesus' divine identity was not just a claim but was powerfully confirmed by God's actions.
barnesJohn 10:36: "Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?"
Whom the Father hath sanctified - The word "sanctify" with us means to make holy; but this is not its meaning here, for the Son of God was always holy. The original word means to set apart from a common to a sacred use; to devote to a sacred purpose, and to designate or consecrate to a holy office. This is the meaning here. God has consecrated or appointe…
vincentJohn 10:36: "Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?"
Sanctified (ἡγίασεν)Better, as Rev., in margin, consecrated. The fundamental idea of the word is separation and consecration to the service of Deity. See note on Acts 26:10, on the kindred adjective ἅγιος, holy or consecrated.The Son of GodThere is no article. Its absence directs us to the character rather than to the person of Jesus. The judges, to w…
Jesus points out the inconsistency: if earthly judges could be called "gods" because they represented God's authority, then how could He, whom the Father consecrated and sent on a divine mission, be accused of blasphemy for claiming the title "Son of God"? The word "consecrated" here doesn't mean made holy, but rather set apart for a unique, sacred purpose—a far greater designation than that given to human magistrates.
Jesus is directly confronting the religious leaders who are about to stone him for blasphemy, after he claimed a unique relationship with God. He reminds them that their own Scriptures called human judges "gods," and argues that if those with earthly authority could bear such titles, then his own claim to be "Son of God"—a title the Father consecrated and sent him into the world to fulfill—could not possibly be blasphemy.
Jesus is directly confronting the religious leaders who are about to stone him for blasphemy, after he claimed a unique relationship with God. He reminds them that their own Scriptures called human judges "gods," and argues that if those with earthly authority could bear such titles, then his own claim to be "Son of God"—a title the Father consecrated and sent him into the world to fulfill—could not possibly be blasphemy.
"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’?" — Jesus points out the inconsistency: if earthly judges could be called "gods" because they represented God's authority, then how could He, whom the Father consecrated and sent on a divine mission,…
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Last reviewed October 2026