John 10:36

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?

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}?

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’?

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?

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

Context

John 10:36 is part of a direct confrontation between Jesus and the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem during the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah). The tension escalates from earlier discussions about Jesus being the "good shepherd." In the verses immediately preceding this one (John 10:30-33), Jesus declares, "I and my Father are one." This statement is met with fierce opposition, as the Jews accuse Him of blasphemy and pick up stones to stone Him, understanding His claim as a man making Himself God. This verse is Jesus' pointed defense against that accusation, highlighting His unique divine commission.

Key Themes

  • Jesus' Divine Sonship and Authority: The central theme is Jesus' identity as the "Son of God." This title is not merely honorific but signifies His unique, divine relationship with the Father, implying equality and shared essence. The accusation of blasphemy arises precisely because His claim transcends human limitations, as the Jews believed He, being a man, made Himself God (John 5:18).
  • Sanctification and Divine Commission: Jesus emphasizes that He was "sanctified" (set apart) and "sent into the world" by the Father. This highlights His divine appointment and mission, underscoring that His authority and claims are not self-derived but divinely ordained. His coming into the world is part of God's redemptive plan.
  • The Nature of Blasphemy Challenged: Jesus challenges the Jews' definition of blasphemy in His case. He argues that if God Himself has consecrated and sent Him, and if His works testify to His divine origin, then calling His claim of divine sonship "blasphemy" is a profound misunderstanding and rejection of God's own testimony.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "sanctified" is hēgiasen (ἡγίασεν). This term means to consecrate, set apart, or make holy. In this context, it does not imply that Jesus needed purification, but rather that He was uniquely designated, consecrated, and empowered by the Father for His specific, divine mission as the Son of God. It signifies a divine act of setting apart for a sacred purpose, establishing His unique identity and authority.

Related Scriptures

  • The concept of Jesus being "sent into the world" by the Father is a recurring and foundational theme in John's Gospel, emphasizing God's initiative in salvation and the divine origin of Jesus' mission (John 3:17, 1 John 4:9).
  • Jesus' identity as the Son of God is intrinsically linked to His pre-existence and divine nature, as described at the very beginning of John's Gospel (John 1:1, John 1:14).

Practical Application

This verse compels us to confront the core question of Jesus' identity. Was He merely a good teacher, or is He truly the "Son of God," uniquely sanctified and sent by the Father? Our understanding and acceptance of this truth are fundamental to Christian faith. It highlights that Jesus' claims about Himself were not incidental but central to His being and mission, demanding a decisive response from all who hear them. Believing in Jesus as the Son of God is essential for salvation and understanding the depth of God's love and plan for humanity.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

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