John 10:34

Commentary on John 10:34 (KJV)

In John 10:34, Jesus responds to the Jewish leaders' accusation of blasphemy by quoting from their own Scriptures. This verse is a pivotal part of a heated theological debate, where Jesus defends His identity and authority.

Context and Setting

This verse is situated within a tense confrontation during the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem. The Jewish leaders had just challenged Jesus directly, asking Him to state plainly if He was the Christ (John 10:24). Jesus responded by pointing to His works and His unique relationship with the Father, declaring, "I and my Father are one" (John 10:30). This declaration led the Jews to accuse Him of blasphemy, "because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God". Jesus' reply in verse 34 is His counter-argument, appealing to their own understanding of "the law," which refers to the Old Testament Scriptures.

Meaning of "Ye Are Gods"

Jesus quotes directly from Psalm 82:6. In its original context, Psalm 82 is a divine indictment against corrupt human judges or rulers in Israel. These individuals were referred to as "gods" (Hebrew: elohim) because they held positions of authority, acting as God's representatives on earth, dispensing justice. They were recipients of God's word and were meant to reflect His righteousness. The psalm then condemns them for their unrighteous judgment, stating they would "die like men" (Psalm 82:7).

Jesus' Argument and Key Themes

Jesus uses this quote to build an a fortiori (from the stronger) argument:

1. Appeal to Scripture's Authority: By saying "Is it not written in your law," Jesus affirms the undeniable authority of the Old Testament for His Jewish audience. The Scriptures cannot be broken or nullified.
2. Lesser to Greater: If the Scriptures themselves call human judges "gods" because they received God's word and exercised delegated authority, how much more justified is the one whom the Father has consecrated and sent into the world? Jesus, as the true Son of God, is infinitely greater than these human "gods."
3. His Unique Sonship: Jesus does not claim to be a "god" in the same sense as the judges in Psalm 82. Rather, He highlights His unique relationship with the Father – He is the one whom the Father "sanctified, and sent into the world." This distinguishes His inherent divinity (John 1:1) from the delegated authority of human rulers. His claim is not merely to be a human judge, but the divine Son.

Linguistic Insight

The term "law" (Greek: nomos) in this context refers broadly to the Old Testament, specifically including the Psalms, demonstrating that Jesus considered all of Scripture as authoritative. The Hebrew word for "gods" in Psalm 82:6 is elohim, which can refer to God Himself, angels, or, as here, human authorities or judges who represent divine authority.

Practical Application

John 10:34 teaches us several important lessons:

• Understanding Scripture: It underscores the importance of interpreting Scripture accurately and in its full context. Jesus demonstrates how a superficial reading can lead to misunderstanding and false accusations.
• Jesus' Defense of His Divinity: It provides a powerful example of Jesus defending His unique identity as the Son of God using logical reasoning rooted in the very Scriptures His opponents claimed to uphold.
• The Authority of God's Word: Jesus' appeal to "your law" emphasizes the enduring and unbreakable authority of God's written word for all generations.

This verse highlights Jesus' masterful use of Scripture to reveal truth and expose the faulty reasoning of those who opposed Him, ultimately affirming His divine nature.