And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people: and he shall be, [even] he shall be to thee instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him instead of God.
Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people.
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Commentary for John 10:34
John 10:34 is part of a larger discourse where Jesus is addressing the Jewish leaders who are accusing him of blasphemy because he claimed to be the Son of God. In the historical context, the Jewish leaders are referencing the Mosaic Law, specifically the commandment against bearing false witness, to challenge Jesus' authority and identity.
In this verse, Jesus responds by quoting Psalm 82:6, which in the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible used during Jesus' time) refers to rulers and judges as "gods" due to their delegated authority to judge justly among the people. Jesus' use of this passage is a defense against the charge of blasphemy; he is emphasizing that if the Jewish scriptures can refer to human judges as "gods" because of their divine appointment to administer justice, then it is not blasphemous for him to refer to himself as the Son of God, given his unique relationship with the Father and his divine mission.
The themes present in this verse include the nature of Jesus' identity and his divine authority, the correct interpretation of scripture, and the relationship between God and humanity. Jesus is highlighting the misinterpretation of the law by his accusers and is asserting his divine sonship. He is also drawing attention to the concept that those who are given authority by God have a responsibility to act in a godly manner, reflecting the character and justice of God. This verse is a key example of Jesus' rabbinic method of teaching, using scripture to challenge and instruct his listeners, and it underscores the tension between Jesus and the religious establishment of his time.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
Strong's Number: G2424 There are 935 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: Ἰησοῦς Transliteration: Iēsoûs Pronunciation: ee-ay-sooce' Description: of Hebrew origin (יְהוֹשׁוּעַ); Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites:--Jesus.
Strong's Number: G611 There are 248 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: ἀποκρίνομαι Transliteration: apokrínomai Pronunciation: ap-ok-ree'-nom-ahee Description: from ἀπό and ; to conclude for oneself, i.e. (by implication) to respond; by Hebraism (compare עָנָה) to begin to speak (where an address is expected):--answer.
Strong's Number: G846 There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: αὐτός Transliteration: autós Pronunciation: ow-tos' Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
Strong's Number: G2076 There are 812 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: ἐστί Transliteration: estí Pronunciation: es-tee' Description: third person singular present indicative of εἰμί; he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are:--are, be(-long), call, X can(-not), come, consisteth, X dure for a while, + follow, X have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, X must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle.
Strong's Number: G3756 There are 1328 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: οὐ Transliteration: ou Pronunciation: ookh Description: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare μή) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also οὐ μή, μῆκος.
Strong's Number: G1125 There are 197 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: γράφω Transliteration: gráphō Pronunciation: graf'-o Description: a primary verb; to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe:--describe, write(-ing, -ten).
Strong's Number: G1722 There are 2129 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: ἐν Transliteration: en Pronunciation: en Description: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between εἰς and ἐκ); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
Strong's Number: G5216 There are 503 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: ὑμῶν Transliteration: hymōn Pronunciation: hoo-mone' Description: genitive case of ὑμεῖς; of (from or concerning) you:--ye, you, your (own, -selves).
Strong's Number: G3551 There are 158 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: νόμος Transliteration: nómos Pronunciation: nom'-os Description: from a primary (to parcel out, especially food or grazing to animals); law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of Moses (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively (a principle):--law.
Strong's Number: G1473 There are 334 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: ἐγώ Transliteration: egṓ Pronunciation: eg-o' Description: a primary pronoun of the first person I (only expressed when emphatic):--I, me. For the other cases and the plural see ἐμέ, ἐμοί, ἐμοῦ, ἡμᾶς, ἡμεῖς, ἡμῖν, ἡμῶν, etc.
Strong's Number: G2036 There are 901 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: ἔπω Transliteration: épō Pronunciation: ep'-o Description: a primary verb (used only in the definite past tense, the others being borrowed from ἐρέω, ῥέω, and φημί); to speak or say (by word or writing):--answer, bid, bring word, call, command, grant, say (on), speak, tell. Compare λέγω.
Strong's Number: G2075 There are 88 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: ἐστέ Transliteration: esté Pronunciation: es-teh' Description: second person plural present indicative of εἰμί; ye are:--be, have been, belong.
Strong's Number: G2316 There are 1172 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: θεός Transliteration: theós Pronunciation: theh'-os Description: of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with ὁ) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).