John 10:33

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

The Jews {G2453} answered {G611} him {G846}, saying {G3004}, For {G4012} a good {G2570} work {G2041} we stone {G3034} thee {G4571} not {G3756}; but {G235} for {G4012} blasphemy {G988}; and {G2532} because {G3754} that thou {G4771}, being {G5607} a man {G444}, makest {G4160} thyself {G4572} God {G2316}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The Judeans replied, “We are not stoning you for any good deed, but for blasphemy — because you, who are only a man, are making yourself out to be God .”

Berean Standard Bible

“We are not stoning You for any good work,” said the Jews, “but for blasphemy, because You, who are a man, declare Yourself to be God.”

American Standard Version

The Jews answered him, For a good work we stone thee not, but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 10:33 captures the escalating conflict between Jesus and the Jewish leaders, revealing the fundamental point of contention: Jesus's claim to divinity. The religious authorities, having just heard Jesus declare, "I and my Father are one," accuse Him not of any misdeed, but of blasphemy, specifically because He, a man, was making Himself God. This verse is pivotal, as it unequivocally demonstrates that Jesus's contemporaries understood His words as a direct assertion of divine equality, a claim they deemed worthy of death by stoning under Mosaic Law.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the broader narrative of [John 10](/john/10 "John 10 - The Good Shepherd and Jesus's Divine Claims"), specifically during the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah) in Jerusalem, as noted in [John 10:22](/john/10-22 "John 10:22 - Feast of Dedication"). Jesus has been teaching openly in the temple courts, presenting Himself as the "good shepherd" who lays down His life for His sheep ([John 10:11-18](/john/10-11-18 "John 10:11-18 - The Good Shepherd")). The immediate preceding verses ([John 10:24-30](/john/10-24-30 "John 10:24-30 - Jesus's Identity and the Father's Hand")) record the Jewish leaders directly questioning Jesus's identity, demanding to know if He is the Christ. Jesus responds by pointing to His works as testimony and then makes the profound declaration, "I and my Father are one" ([John 10:30](/john/10-30 "John 10:30 - Jesus's Declaration of Unity with the Father")). It is this unambiguous claim to oneness with God that immediately provokes the charge of blasphemy and the attempt to stone Him.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah) commemorated the rededication of the Second Temple after its defilement by Antiochus IV Epiphanes in the 2nd century BC. This historical backdrop, celebrating God's deliverance and the restoration of proper worship, ironically highlights the Jewish leaders' failure to recognize God's ultimate presence in Jesus. Under Mosaic Law, blasphemy—specifically, speaking contemptuously of God's name or claiming divine attributes—was a capital offense punishable by stoning ([Leviticus 24:16](/leviticus/24-16 "Leviticus 24:16 - Law Concerning Blasphemy")). The Jewish leaders' immediate reaction to pick up stones indicates their conviction that Jesus had committed this gravest of sins. Their understanding of "God" was strictly monotheistic, and any claim by a human to be God or equal with God was considered an affront to the unique sovereignty and holiness of Yahweh.

* **Key Themes:** John 10:33 contributes significantly to several major themes within the Gospel of John and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the central theme of the **Deity of Christ**, as Jesus's adversaries clearly understood His claims to be assertions of divine nature, not merely metaphorical or spiritual unity. This understanding from His opponents provides strong external validation of Jesus's self-perception as God. Secondly, it highlights the **Conflict and Rejection of Jesus** by the religious establishment, a recurring motif throughout John's Gospel, where Jesus's signs and teachings are met with increasing hostility and unbelief ([John 5:18](/john/5-18 "John 5:18 - Jesus Accused of Making Himself Equal with God")). Finally, the verse implicitly touches on the theme of **Misunderstanding and Spiritual Blindness**, as the leaders, despite witnessing Jesus's miraculous works and hearing His profound teachings, remain unable or unwilling to recognize Him as the Son of God, instead perceiving His divine claims as blasphemy ([John 12:37-40](/john/12-37-40 "John 12:37-40 - The People's Unbelief and Spiritual Blindness")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **blasphemy (Greek, _blasphēmía'_):** From G988. This term refers to abusive or slanderous speech, particularly against God. In the Jewish context, it specifically encompassed claiming divine attributes, speaking contemptuously of God's name, or usurping God's unique prerogatives. The leaders' use of this word indicates their belief that Jesus's claim to be "one with the Father" was a direct and egregious insult to God's holiness and uniqueness.
* **makest (Greek, _poiéō'_):** From G4160. This verb means "to make or do" in a very wide application. Here, it signifies Jesus's active assertion or declaration of Himself as God. It's not that they believed Jesus was literally "creating" Himself as God, but that He was presenting Himself, by His words and claims, as possessing divine identity and attributes.
* **God (Greek, _theós'_):** From G2316. This refers to a deity, and specifically, with the definite article (implied here by context), the supreme Divinity. The Jewish leaders' accusation hinges on the unparalleled nature of God. For a human being to claim this title or identity was, in their view, the ultimate transgression against the First Commandment and the very nature of Yahweh.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The Jews answered him, saying,"**: This phrase sets the scene for a direct and confrontational response from the Jewish leaders, indicating their immediate and strong reaction to Jesus's preceding statement in [John 10:30](/john/10-30 "John 10:30 - Jesus's Declaration of Unity with the Father"). Their answer is not a question seeking clarification, but a definitive accusation.
* **"For a good work we stone thee not;"**: The leaders explicitly deny that their intent to stone Jesus is due to any of His benevolent actions or miracles, which they could not credibly refute. This highlights the irony that Jesus's "works" were meant to testify to His divine origin and authority ([John 5:36](/john/5-36 "John 5:36 - Jesus's Works Testify of Him")), yet they chose to ignore them.
* **"but for blasphemy;"**: This clause presents the true and singular charge against Jesus. They are not accusing Him of a moral failing or a breach of the Law in general, but of the gravest religious offense imaginable under their legal system. This reveals the core of their opposition: a theological disagreement regarding Jesus's identity.
* **"and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God."**: This final clause precisely defines the nature of the "blasphemy" in their eyes. The offense is not merely claiming to be a prophet or messiah, but directly claiming to be God, while visibly being a human being. This statement is a powerful, albeit unintended, affirmation from Jesus's enemies that they understood His words as a clear declaration of His deity.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Direct Speech** is prominent, allowing the reader to hear the exact words of Jesus's accusers, which lends immediacy and authenticity to the conflict. There is profound **Irony** in the leaders' statement: they accuse Jesus of blasphemy for claiming to be God, yet in doing so, they inadvertently confirm the very truth of His divine identity. Their rejection of Him as God becomes an implicit testimony to His claims. The verse also utilizes **Contrast**, setting "a good work" against "blasphemy," emphasizing that their grievance is not moral but theological. Furthermore, the phrase "being a man, makest thyself God" functions as a **Paradox** from their human perspective, highlighting the seemingly impossible nature of Jesus's claim for those who do not recognize His divine origin.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 10:33 stands as a cornerstone for understanding the **Deity of Christ**, a central doctrine of Christian theology. The Jewish leaders' accusation is not a misunderstanding of Jesus's words, but a precise interpretation of His claim to be "one with the Father" ([John 10:30](/john/10-30 "John 10:30 - Jesus's Declaration of Unity with the Father")). They correctly perceived that Jesus was asserting divine equality, a claim that, if untrue, would indeed be blasphemous. However, for those who believe in Jesus, this accusation serves as powerful evidence that Jesus unequivocally presented Himself as God. This understanding is crucial, as the entire Christian message of salvation hinges on the belief that Jesus is fully God and fully man, capable of bridging the infinite gap between a holy God and sinful humanity through His perfect sacrifice.

* [John 5:18](/john/5-18 "John 5:18 - Jesus Accused of Making Himself Equal with God")
* [Mark 14:61-64](/mark/14-61-64 "Mark 14:61-64 - Jesus's Trial Before the Sanhedrin")
* [John 19:7](/john/19-7 "John 19:7 - The Jews' Accusation Before Pilate")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 10:33 compels us to confront the core of our faith: Who do we believe Jesus to be? The Jewish leaders, blinded by their preconceived notions of the Messiah and God, could only see a man making an outrageous claim. Yet, this verse, spoken by His adversaries, powerfully underscores the truth that Jesus's identity as God was unmistakable. For us today, this challenges us to move beyond seeing Jesus merely as a good teacher, a moral example, or a historical figure. We are called to acknowledge Him as the eternal Son of God, fully divine, who willingly took on human flesh. Our salvation, our hope, and our worship are predicated on this profound truth. Embracing Jesus as God means recognizing His ultimate authority, His perfect sacrifice, and His unique power to forgive sins and grant eternal life. It calls us to surrender our lives to Him, trusting in His divine nature and His redemptive work.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the Jewish leaders' accusation in John 10:33 affirm or challenge your understanding of Jesus's deity?**
* **In what ways might we, like the Jewish leaders, be prone to misunderstand or reject aspects of Jesus's identity today?**
* **If Jesus truly is God, what are the practical implications for your daily life, worship, and obedience?**

### FAQ
**Why was claiming to be God considered blasphemy by the Jewish leaders?**

Answer: In Jewish monotheistic belief, God is uniquely one, holy, and transcendent. Any human claiming to possess divine attributes, to be equal with God, or to speak contemptuously of God's name was considered to be committing blasphemy (Hebrew: *chillul Hashem*, "desecration of the Name"). This was the gravest offense under Mosaic Law, punishable by death by stoning, as outlined in [Leviticus 24:16](/leviticus/24-16 "Leviticus 24:16 - Law Concerning Blasphemy"). The Jewish leaders understood Jesus's declaration, "I and my Father are one" ([John 10:30](/john/10-30 "John 10:30 - Jesus's Declaration of Unity with the Father")), not as a metaphorical statement of purpose, but as a direct assertion of divine equality, which they viewed as an unforgivable usurpation of God's unique identity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 10:33, though an accusation from Jesus's enemies, serves as a profound Christ-centered fulfillment, laying bare the very essence of who Jesus is and why His coming was necessary. The Jewish leaders' charge that Jesus, "being a man, makest thyself God," inadvertently highlights the central mystery of the incarnation: that the eternal Son of God truly became man without ceasing to be God. This is the truth proclaimed in [Philippians 2:6-7](/philippians/2-6-7 "Philippians 2:6-7 - Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation"), where Christ, "being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men." The "blasphemy" they perceived was, in reality, the glorious truth of God condescending to humanity for salvation. Jesus's claim to deity, the very reason for their desire to stone Him, is precisely what qualifies Him to be the perfect sacrifice for sin. Only God Himself, in human form, could bear the full wrath of God against sin and offer a spotless, infinite atonement ([Hebrews 9:26](/hebrews/9-26 "Hebrews 9:26 - Christ's Single Sacrifice")). Thus, the accusation in [John 10:33](/john/10-33 "John 10:33 - The Accusation of Blasphemy") foreshadows the ultimate reason for His crucifixion—not for a good work, but for claiming to be God, a claim that was, in fact, the truth that brings life to all who believe ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love and Eternal Life")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 5:18

Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.

Leviticus 24:16

And he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death, [and] all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name [of the LORD], shall be put to death.

John 10:30

I and [my] Father are one.

Romans 13:1

¶ Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

Philippians 2:6

Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

1 Kings 21:10

And set two men, sons of Belial, before him, to bear witness against him, saying, Thou didst blaspheme God and the king. And [then] carry him out, and stone him, that he may die.

Psalms 82:6

¶ I have said, Ye [are] gods; and all of you [are] children of the most High.