John 10:36

KJV

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?

KJV (with Strong's)

Say {G3004} ye {G5210} of him, whom {G3739} the Father {G3962} hath sanctified {G37}, and {G2532} sent {G649} into {G1519} the world {G2889},{G3754} Thou blasphemest {G987}; because {G3754} I said {G2036}, I am {G1510} the Son {G5207} of God {G2316}?

Complete Jewish Bible

then are you telling the one whom the Father set apart as holy and sent into the world, ‘You are committing blasphemy,’ just because I said, ‘I am a son of Elohim’?

Berean Standard Bible

then what about the One whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world? How then can you accuse Me of blasphemy for stating that I am the Son of God?

American Standard Version

say ye of him, whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jesus confronts His accusers, who charge Him with blasphemy for claiming to be the Son of God. He defends His divine identity and mission by appealing to the Father's active role in sanctifying and sending Him into the world, thereby challenging their narrow understanding of blasphemy and asserting the legitimate, divine origin of His claims. This verse encapsulates the core theological conflict between Jesus' self-revelation and the Jewish leaders' rejection of His divine nature.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** [John 10:36](/john/10-36 "John 10:36 - Jesus' Defense of His Divine Sonship") is situated within a heated exchange between Jesus and the Jewish leaders during the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem. The immediate preceding verses ([John 10:30-33](/john/10-30-33 "John 10:30-33 - Jesus and the Father are One")) record Jesus' profound declaration, "I and my Father are one," which His Jewish interlocutors immediately interpret as a claim to deity, prompting them to pick up stones to execute Him for blasphemy. Their accusation, "because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God," directly sets the stage for Jesus' defense in [John 10:34-38](/john/10-34-38 "John 10:34-38 - Jesus' Defense Against Blasphemy"). In this defense, Jesus first appeals to their own Law (Psalm 82:6) to argue that even human judges are called "gods," then transitions to His own unique status as one "whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world," whose works bear witness to His divine origin.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah) was a celebration commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple after its desecration by Antiochus IV Epiphanes. This setting, in the Temple courts, heightened the religious and political tension surrounding Jesus' claims. The Jewish leaders' accusation of blasphemy was a capital offense under Mosaic Law ([Leviticus 24:16](/leviticus/24-16 "Leviticus 24:16 - The Law on Blasphemy")), punishable by stoning. Their understanding of God was strictly monotheistic, and any claim by a man to be equal with God was considered the ultimate affront. Jesus' use of "Son of God" was understood not merely as a messianic title but as a claim to divine essence and equality with God, as evidenced by their violent reaction.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes in John's Gospel. Foremost is the theme of **Jesus' Divine Identity and Sonship**, emphasizing His unique relationship with the Father and His inherent deity, which is the very point of contention. Connected to this is the theme of **Divine Commission and Authority**, as Jesus stresses that His claims are not self-derived but are rooted in the Father's act of sanctifying and sending Him. This highlights the Father's initiative in salvation and Jesus' role as the Father's ultimate revelation. Finally, the verse engages with the theme of **Witness and Evidence**, as Jesus implicitly points to the Father's action and His own works as irrefutable proof against the charge of blasphemy, echoing earlier arguments in [John 5](/john/5 "John 5 - Jesus' Authority and Witness").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **sanctified (Greek, _hagiázō_):** From ἅγιος (hagios), meaning "holy." To make holy, i.e., ceremonially purify or consecrate; mentally, to venerate. In this context, it signifies that Jesus was uniquely designated, set apart, and consecrated by the Father for His specific, divine mission as the Son of God. It does not imply that Jesus needed purification, but rather that He was divinely appointed and empowered for a sacred purpose, establishing His unique identity and authority.
* **sent (Greek, _apostéllō_):** From ἀπό (apo, "from") and στέλλω (stellō, "to set"). To set apart, i.e., to send out, properly on a mission. This word underscores the deliberate and purposeful nature of Jesus' advent. He did not come of His own accord but was dispatched by the Father with a specific divine mandate, emphasizing His role as the Father's agent and messenger in the world. This concept is foundational to John's theology of the Son's obedience and the Father's initiative.
* **I am (Greek, _eimí_):** The first person singular present indicative of the verb "to be." It means "I exist." Used emphatically, it carries profound theological weight, echoing the divine self-designation "I AM" (Exodus 3:14) and asserting Jesus' eternal, self-existent nature. When Jesus declares "I am the Son of God," the "I am" component signifies His absolute, divine identity, which is precisely why the Jewish leaders perceived it as blasphemy, understanding it as a claim to full deity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world,"**: Jesus challenges His accusers' logic. He refers to Himself as "him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world," highlighting His unique divine appointment and mission. The Father's active role in setting Jesus apart and dispatching Him into the human realm is presented as a foundational truth that should preclude the charge of blasphemy. This clause emphasizes Jesus' divine origin and purpose, asserting that His authority and identity are not self-proclaimed but divinely ordained.
* **"Thou blasphemest;"**: This is the direct accusation leveled against Jesus by the Jewish leaders. It encapsulates their understanding that Jesus, being a man, was making Himself God, which they considered the ultimate affront to the one true God. Jesus quotes their charge back to them, setting the stage for His rebuttal.
* **"because I said, I am the Son of God?"**: Jesus directly addresses the specific statement that triggered their accusation. He clarifies that the "blasphemy" they perceive stems from His declaration of being "the Son of God." This phrasing is crucial, as it reveals that His claim to Sonship was understood by His audience as a claim to equality with God, not merely a messianic title. Jesus' question challenges their premise: how can a divinely sanctified and sent individual be blaspheming by stating His true, divinely appointed identity?

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is **Rhetorical Question**, as Jesus frames His defense not as a direct statement but as a pointed question to His accusers. This technique forces them to confront the inconsistency of their position: how can one sent and sanctified by God be a blasphemer? This also introduces **Irony**, as those who claim to uphold God's law are, in fact, rejecting God's own Son and His divine commission. Furthermore, there is an **Argument from Authority** or **Divine Commission**, where Jesus appeals to the Father's actions ("whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent") as the ultimate validation of His identity, thereby shifting the ground of the debate from His self-assertion to the Father's testimony concerning Him.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 10:36 is a pivotal statement regarding the unique relationship between Jesus and God the Father, underscoring Jesus' divine nature and His specific, divinely appointed mission. The Father's act of "sanctifying" and "sending" Jesus into the world speaks to the pre-existence of the Son and the active role of the Triune God in the plan of salvation. It affirms that Jesus' claims to deity are not merely human assertions but are rooted in the very will and action of God. This verse challenges human-centric definitions of blasphemy by asserting that true blasphemy lies in rejecting the one whom God Himself has consecrated and sent, especially when His works bear witness to His divine origin. It highlights the profound truth that to reject Jesus is to reject the Father who sent Him.

* [John 3:17](/john/3-17 "John 3:17 - God Sent His Son")
* [Hebrews 10:10](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10 - Sanctified by Christ's Sacrifice")
* [1 John 4:9](/1_john/4-9 "1 John 4:9 - God Sent His Only Son")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse compels us to deeply consider the identity of Jesus Christ. Is He merely a historical figure, a wise teacher, or is He truly the "Son of God," uniquely sanctified and sent by the Father with a divine mission? Our answer to this question forms the bedrock of our faith. Jesus' defense here is not a mere theological debate; it is a profound revelation of His essence and purpose. It challenges us to move beyond superficial understandings and to embrace the radical truth of His divine Sonship, which implies His authority over all creation and His unique ability to reconcile humanity to God. Accepting Jesus as the Son of God means acknowledging His divine origin, His perfect obedience to the Father, and His ultimate authority, leading to a life of worship, trust, and submission to His Lordship. It also calls us to discern truth from falsehood, recognizing that genuine divine claims are always substantiated by divine action and character, as seen in Jesus' life and works.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' emphasis on being "sanctified" and "sent" by the Father deepen your understanding of His authority and mission?**
* **In what ways might we, like the Jewish leaders, misunderstand or reject divine truth because it challenges our preconceived notions?**
* **What does Jesus' claim, "I am the Son of God," mean for your personal faith and daily life?**
* **How can you better align your understanding of Jesus with the comprehensive picture presented in Scripture, rather than limiting Him to human categories?**

### FAQ

**What does it mean that the Father "sanctified" Jesus?**

Answer: The Greek word translated "sanctified" (G37, _hagiázō_) means to consecrate, set apart, or make holy. In the context of [John 10:36](/john/10-36 "John 10:36 - Jesus' Defense of His Divine Sonship"), it does not imply that Jesus needed purification from sin, as He was inherently holy. Rather, it signifies that the Father uniquely designated, consecrated, and empowered Jesus for His specific, divine mission as the Son of God. It was a divine act of setting apart for a sacred purpose, establishing His unique identity, authority, and role in salvation. This concept is also seen in [John 17:19](/john/17-19 "John 17:19 - Jesus Sanctifies Himself") where Jesus sanctifies Himself for the sake of His disciples, indicating a dedication to a divine purpose.

**Why did the Jewish leaders consider Jesus' claim to be the Son of God as blasphemy?**

Answer: For the Jewish leaders, the title "Son of God" carried profound implications beyond merely being a messianic figure. When Jesus declared, "I and my Father are one" in [John 10:30](/john/10-30 "John 10:30 - Jesus and the Father are One"), they understood this as a claim to essential unity and equality with God. Their immediate response in [John 10:33](/john/10-33 "John 10:33 - Accusation of Blasphemy") was, "For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God." This indicates that they perceived Jesus, a man, claiming to be God, which was the ultimate act of blasphemy against their strict monotheistic understanding of God, punishable by death under Mosaic Law ([Leviticus 24:16](/leviticus/24-16 "Leviticus 24:16 - The Law on Blasphemy")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[John 10:36](/john/10-36 "John 10:36 - Jesus' Defense of His Divine Sonship") profoundly reveals the Christ-centered nature of God's redemptive plan. Jesus' defense, "whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world," points directly to His unique role as the Messiah and the ultimate revelation of God. He is the one set apart from eternity, not by human hands, but by the Father Himself, for the specific mission of reconciling humanity to God. This divine sanctification foreshadows His role as the perfect High Priest, who, unlike the Levitical priests, was "holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens" ([Hebrews 7:26](/hebrews/7-26 "Hebrews 7:26 - Christ Our High Priest")). His being "sent into the world" signifies the incarnation, where the eternal Son of God took on human flesh to dwell among us, fulfilling prophecies of God's coming to His people ([Isaiah 9:6](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6 - Child Born, Son Given")). Jesus' declaration, "I am the Son of God," is the very core of the Gospel, revealing His divine identity as the one through whom God's love is perfectly expressed ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")) and through whom eternal life is offered ([John 17:3](/john/17-3 "John 17:3 - Eternal Life is Knowing God and Jesus")). Thus, Jesus' defense against the charge of blasphemy is not merely an argument for His innocence, but a revelation of His indispensable role as the Christ, the divinely appointed and consecrated Savior of the world.

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 5:17

¶ But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.

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.

John 3:17

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Jeremiah 1:5

Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, [and] I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

John 10:30

I and [my] Father are one.

John 10:33

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.

John 6:27

Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.