John 10:34

John 10:34, in plain English

Jesus replies by quoting their own Scriptures: 'Doesn't your Law say, I have said you are gods?'

Why it's here

He's quoting Psalm 82, where God calls human judges 'gods.' If Scripture itself uses that word for humans, how can they object to His claim?

Who's speaking

Jesus uses Scripture to defend Himself against the charge of blasphemy.

Where it sits in the story

Jesus pulls out a brilliant move—He quotes their own Bible back to them. If the word 'gods' can apply to human judges, how much more to the One God actually sent?

The scholarly reading

Jesus quotes Psalm 82:6 ('I said you are gods'), employing a 'qal wahomer' (lesser to greater) argument from the Torah, which He calls 'your Law' (ho nomos hymōn).

Language and setting

Psalm 82 addresses human judges who act as God's representatives. Jesus' argument proceeds from the lesser case (humans called 'gods' in Scripture) to the greater case (the one God sanctified and sent).

Voice

Jesus begins a scriptural defense of His claims by citing a passage His opponents accept as authoritative.

Significance

Jesus meets the blasphemy charge with a sophisticated hermeneutical argument, using the Pharisees' own revered Scriptures to demonstrate that His claim is not as unprecedented as they assume.

32But Jesus responded, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone Me?”

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

34Jesus replied, “Is it not written in your Law: ‘I have said you are gods’?

35If he called them gods to whom the word of God came—and the Scripture cannot be broken—

36then 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?

Read all of John 10 — Jesus describes a shepherd who knows every sheep by name and lays down his life for them. The hired hand runs; the good shepherd stays.