John 10:33

Commentary on John 10:33 (KJV)

The KJV text of John 10:33 reads: "The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God." This pivotal verse captures the escalating tension between Jesus and the Jewish leaders, revealing the core of their opposition to Him.

Context

This accusation occurs during the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah) in Jerusalem, as described in John 10:22. Jesus has just declared profound truths about His identity and relationship with God the Father. He spoke of being the "good shepherd" who lays down His life for the sheep and asserted, "I and my Father are one" (John 10:30). The Jewish leaders, who had previously picked up stones to stone Him for similar claims (John 8:59), interpret this statement not as a metaphorical union of purpose, but as a direct claim to divine equality, which they considered blasphemous.

Key Themes and Messages

• The Accusation of Blasphemy: The central charge against Jesus is blasphemy, which under Mosaic Law, was punishable by stoning (Leviticus 24:16). For the Jewish leaders, any human claiming to be God was committing the ultimate offense against God's holiness and uniqueness.
• The Deity of Christ: While intended as an accusation, this verse inadvertently highlights Jesus's divine claims. The Jewish leaders clearly understood Jesus's words as a direct assertion of His divine nature—that He, "being a man," was "making Himself God." This understanding confirms that Jesus's statements were indeed claims to deity, not merely spiritual authority.
• Misunderstanding and Rejection: The leaders' response shows their fundamental misunderstanding of Jesus's identity. They saw only a man, not the Son of God, despite His miraculous works and profound teachings that attested to His divine origin (John 5:36). Their rejection stemmed from their inability or unwillingness to accept His divine claims.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "blasphemy" is blasphēmia (βλασφημία), which refers to abusive or slanderous speech, particularly against God. In Jewish law, it specifically encompassed claiming divine attributes or speaking contemptuously of God's name or character. The leaders' precise wording, "because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God," underscores their perception that Jesus, a human, was unlawfully usurping the unique attributes of God, which was the gravest form of blasphēmia.

Related Scriptures

• The accusation of making Himself equal with God is also seen earlier in John 5:18.
• This charge of blasphemy would resurface at Jesus's trial before the Sanhedrin, as recorded in Mark 14:61-64, where the High Priest explicitly asks Him if He is "the Christ, the Son of the Blessed."
• Even before Pilate, the Jews insisted on His death because He "made himself the Son of God" (John 19:7).

Practical Application

John 10:33 is crucial for understanding the core of Christian belief: the deity of Jesus Christ. This verse, though spoken by His enemies, powerfully affirms that Jesus's contemporaries understood His words as claims to be God. For believers today, it reinforces the truth that Jesus is not merely a prophet, a good teacher, or a spiritual leader, but the eternal Son of God, fully divine yet fully human. Our salvation hinges on this truth, as only God Himself could offer a perfect sacrifice for sin (Hebrews 9:26). It challenges us to consider if we truly accept Jesus for who He claimed to be, and who His adversaries recognized Him to be, even in their rejection.