What is the meaning of John 10:35? If he called them gods Jesus is answering the charge of blasphemy (John 10:33) by quoting Psalm 82:6. In that psalm the Lord addresses Israel’s judges, reminding them that they exercise delegated, divine authority. • Psalm 82:6 says, “I have said, ‘You are gods; you are all sons of the Most High.’” The title “gods” is used ironically—these men sit in God’s place to render justice, yet they will “die like men” (Psalm 82:7). • Exodus 7:1 shows a similar use: “See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh.” Moses isn’t divine; he simply represents divine authority. • By citing this verse, Jesus argues from the lesser to the greater: if fallible human judges could be called “gods” without blasphemy, how much more can the Father’s consecrated, incarnate Son bear the title “Son of God” (John 10:36). • John 10:34–35 records Jesus’ exact appeal, anchoring His identity in Scripture rather than human tradition. to whom the word of God came The phrase points to the origin of the judges’ authority—God’s revealed word. • 2 Chronicles 19:6–7 describes Jehoshaphat charging judges to remember that they “do not judge for man, but for the LORD.” Their commission was grounded in divine revelation, not personal opinion. • Hebrews 1:1 reminds us that “God spoke to our fathers through the prophets,” underscoring that leadership in Israel was always tied to received revelation. • Romans 13:1 echoes the principle more broadly: “There is no authority except that which is from God.” • By noting that the word “came” to these men, Jesus highlights their temporary, derivative status; He, on the other hand, is the eternal Word who “became flesh” (John 1:14). The contrast elevates Christ far above those earlier recipients. —and the Scripture cannot be broken— With this brief aside Jesus affirms the absolute reliability of every line of God’s written word. • Matthew 5:18 confirms the same truth: “Not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.” • 2 Timothy 3:16 declares, “All Scripture is God-breathed,” rooting its authority in God’s own nature. • Isaiah 40:8 and 1 Peter 1:25 testify that “the word of our God stands forever.” • Because Scripture cannot be broken, Jesus’ argument is unassailable: if the inspired text assigns the title “gods” to mortal judges, the charge of blasphemy against Him collapses. God’s word sets the ultimate standard, and every accusation must bow to it. summary John 10:35 sits at the heart of Jesus’ defense: Scripture itself once used divine language for human judges, so calling Jesus the Son of God is perfectly legitimate. The verse also provides a ringing endorsement of biblical inerrancy—“the Scripture cannot be broken.” Taken together, these truths affirm Christ’s deity, expose the weakness of His accusers’ charge, and call every reader to trust without reservation in the unbreakable word of God. |
    |