King James Version

What Does John 10:33 Mean?

John 10:33 in the King James Version says “The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man,...” — study this verse from John chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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 10:33 · KJV

Context

31

Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.

32

Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?

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.

34

Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?

35

If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy (ἀπεκρίθησαν αὐτῷ οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι· Περὶ καλοῦ ἔργου οὐ λιθάζομέν σε ἀλλὰ περὶ βλασφημίας, apekrithesan auto hoi Ioudaioi· Peri kalou ergou ou lithazomen se alla peri blasphemias)—They explicitly state the charge: βλασφημία (blasphemia, 'blasphemy'), speaking against God. And because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God (καὶ ὅτι σὺ ἄνθρωπος ὢν ποιεῖς σεαυτὸν θεόν, kai hoti sy anthropos on poieis seauton theon)—they correctly identify Jesus's claim: though ἄνθρωπος (anthropos, 'a man, human'), He makes Himself θεόν (theon, 'God').

This verse demonstrates that first-century Jews understood exactly what Jesus claimed—full deity, not mere Messiahship or prophetic status. Modern attempts to reinterpret Jesus as merely a good teacher or prophet ignore that His contemporaries faced His unambiguous deity claims and chose sides. Either they were right (He blasphemed) or He truly is God incarnate—no other option exists.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The charge of blasphemy carried the death penalty under Mosaic Law (Leviticus 24:16). Jewish leaders lacked authority to execute under Roman rule, which is why they later brought Him to Pilate with political charges (Luke 23:2). But their true grievance was always theological: Jesus's deity claim threatened their religious system and authority.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the Jewish leaders' clear understanding of Jesus's deity claim challenge modern attempts to portray Him as merely a moral teacher?
  2. Why is Jesus's claim to be both fully human and fully God the central issue of Christianity—not peripheral doctrine?
  3. What does it mean that Jesus's blasphemy was either true (making Him God) or false (making Him a deceiver worthy of death)—no middle ground exists?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 22 words
ἀπεκρίθησαν1 of 22

“answered”

G611

to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)

αὐτῷ2 of 22

“him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

οἱ3 of 22
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰουδαῖοι4 of 22

“The Jews”

G2453

judaean, i.e., belonging to jehudah

λέγοντες,5 of 22

“saying”

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

περὶ6 of 22

“For”

G4012

properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas

καλοῦ7 of 22

“a good”

G2570

properly, beautiful, but chiefly (figuratively) good (literally or morally), i.e., valuable or virtuous (for appearance or use, and thus distinguished

ἔργου8 of 22

“work”

G2041

toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act

οὐ9 of 22

“not”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

λιθάζομέν10 of 22

“we stone”

G3034

to lapidate

σε11 of 22

“thee”

G4571

thee

ἀλλὰ12 of 22

“but”

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

περὶ13 of 22

“For”

G4012

properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas

βλασφημίας14 of 22

“blasphemy”

G988

vilification (especially against god)

καὶ15 of 22

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ὅτι16 of 22

“because”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

σὺ17 of 22

“that thou”

G4771

thou

ἄνθρωπος18 of 22

“a man”

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

ὢν19 of 22

“being”

G5607

being

ποιεῖς20 of 22

“makest”

G4160

to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

σεαυτὸν21 of 22

“thyself”

G4572

of (with, to) thyself

θεόν22 of 22

“God”

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

John 10:33 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to John 10:33 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

John 5:18John 10:30Leviticus 24:16Romans 13:1Philippians 2:6Psalms 82:6

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