John 10:35 (KJV)

What does John 10:35 mean?

John 10:35 says that if Scripture refers to certain people as "gods" because God's word came to them, and since Scripture cannot be set aside or proven false, then this point must be accepted. Jesus is making an argument based on the authority and unbreakable nature of Scripture.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to a group of Jewish leaders who are upset because He called Himself the Son of God. Jesus points out that even the Scriptures they trust use the word "gods" for some people, so His claim is not blasphemy by their own standards. The verse highlights the seriousness with which Jesus and His audience treat the authority of the Scriptures.

The Greek behind John 10:35

• θεοὺς (theous): This is the Greek word translated "gods." Here it refers to people who received God's message, likely judges or leaders in Israel, showing that the term could be used for humans in certain contexts.
• λόγος (logos): This word means "word" and is used here for "the word of God." It emphasizes the message or revelation that came to those called "gods."
• γραφὴ (graphē): This is the Greek word for "scripture." Jesus uses it to refer to the sacred writings, underlining their authority.
• λυθῆναι (lythēnai): This verb means "to be broken" or "to be set aside." Jesus insists that Scripture cannot be annulled or made void, stressing its lasting reliability.

Why John 10:35 matters

• John 10:35 clarifies that Jesus is not claiming something entirely new or foreign to Scripture by calling Himself the Son of God, but is building on language already present in the Jewish Scriptures.
• The verse emphasizes the unbreakable authority of Scripture, showing that even Jesus appeals to its lasting truth in His arguments.
• This verse connects to the larger conversation in John 10, where Jesus is defending His identity and mission, using careful reasoning based on the Scriptures His listeners accept.