King James Version
What Does John 10:34 Mean?
“Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?”
Context
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;
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?
Commentary
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers(34) **Is it not written in your law**?—Comp. Note on John 8:17. The passage here quoted is in Psalm 82:6, but the term “Law” is here used in a wide sense for the whole of the Old Testament. There are other examples of this usage in John 7:49; John 12:34; John 15:25; Romans 3:19; 1Corinthians 14:21.
**I said, Ye are gods?**—In the Hebrew of the Psalm, as in the Greek here, the pronoun is emphatic. “I myself said, Ye are gods?” The words are probably to be understood in the Psalm as spoken by God, who sits in judgment on the judges whom He had appointed, and gives the name of “gods” (*Elohim*) as representing Himself. See Exodus 4:16; Exodus 7:1; Exodus 18:15; Exodus 21:6; Exodus 22:8; Exodus 22:28; Deuteronomy 1:17; 1Samuel 28:13; Psalm 8:5; Psalm 45:6; and comp. Perowne’s Notes on Psalms 82, and article “God,” in Kitto’s *Biblical Cyclopœdia,* Ed. 3, vol. ii., p. 144 *et seq.*
Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.
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 10:34 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 10:34
Cross-references from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge