John 10 33

John 10:33 kjv

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 nkjv

The Jews answered Him, saying, "For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God."

John 10:33 niv

"We are not stoning you for any good work," they replied, "but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God."

John 10:33 esv

The Jews answered him, "It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God."

John 10:33 nlt

They replied, "We're stoning you not for any good work, but for blasphemy! You, a mere man, claim to be God."

John 10 verses

John 10 33 Meaning

John 10:33 presents the definitive charge against Jesus by the Jewish authorities: blasphemy. Following Jesus' declaration, "I and the Father are one" (Jn 10:30), they intended to stone Him. In this verse, they articulate that their action is not for any perceived misdeed or "good work," but specifically because, despite His human form, He unequivocally claims to be God. This accusation captures the heart of their theological rejection of Jesus and His divine identity.

John 10 33 Context

This verse occurs during the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem. Jesus had been teaching in the Temple colonnade, specifically in Solomon's Porch (Jn 10:23). Following earlier discourses about the Good Shepherd and His sheep, the Jewish authorities pressed Him to state plainly if He was the Christ (Jn 10:24). Jesus responded by referring to His works as proof (Jn 10:25) and declared, "My sheep hear my voice... and no one will snatch them out of My hand" (Jn 10:27-28). He then asserted His ultimate unity with the Father: "I and the Father are one" (Jn 10:30). It is this latter statement, profoundly understood by them, that immediately led them to take up stones again (Jn 10:31) for what they deemed an egregious act of blasphemy against the God of Israel. Their intention to stone Him, a customary punishment for blasphemy under Mosaic Law (Lev 24:16), underscores the severity with which they viewed His claim. Under Roman occupation, Jewish authorities could not legally execute someone without Roman approval, but popular mob justice (like stoning) sometimes occurred, as seen previously (Jn 8:59).

John 10 33 Word analysis

• The Jews (οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι, hoi Ioudaioi): In John's Gospel, this term often refers to the religious and political leaders in Judea, particularly those hostile to Jesus' ministry and claims, rather than all Jewish people in general. They represent the official, organized opposition.
• answered Him (ἀπεκρίθησαν αὐτῷ, apekrithēsan autō): Not a simple reply, but an argumentative and accusatory response, framed almost as a judicial verdict against Jesus.
• saying (λέγοντες, legontes): Emphasizes their direct and pointed declaration of the charge.
• For a good work (Περὶ καλοῦ ἔργου, Peri kalou ergou): This is a sarcastic or dismissive remark. Jesus had just mentioned His "good works" as evidence (Jn 10:32). Their statement implies that His benevolent actions, if they even acknowledge them as good, are irrelevant in the face of His far greater offense – blasphemy. It is their way of saying that even if His deeds seem righteous, His words are not, and words alone can warrant execution.
• we do not stone You (οὐ λιθάζομέν σε, ou lithazomen se): A direct and legalistic denial that their actions are arbitrary. Stoning was a prescribed punishment in the Torah, and they sought to justify their intention within that legal framework.
• but for blasphemy (ἀλλὰ περὶ βλασφημίας, alla peri blasphēmias): This is the core, capital charge. The Greek βλασφημίας (blasphēmias) signifies speaking evil, insulting God, or making a claim reserved exclusively for God. In a strict monotheistic context, for a man to claim divine attributes or identity was the ultimate offense against YHWH.
• and because You, being a Man (καὶ ὅτι σὺ ἄνθρωπος ὤν, kai hoti sy anthrōpos ōn): This highlights the fundamental paradox they could not reconcile. They recognized Jesus' physical humanity (ἄνθρωπος, anthrōpos – a human being). For such a being to claim deity was utterly unthinkable and deeply offensive within their theological framework, lacking the understanding of the Incarnation.
• make Yourself God (ποιεῖς σεαυτὸν Θεόν, poieis seauton Theon): This is the precise definition of His "blasphemy" in their eyes. The verb ποιεῖς (poieis) (you make/do) in connection with Θεόν (Theon) (God) signifies a conscious, active assertion of divine identity. They correctly understood Jesus' claim in Jn 10:30, "I and the Father are one," as a direct assertion of being divine, possessing the unique nature and attributes of God Himself.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy": This phrase functions as a pseudo-judicial statement. It dismisses any benevolent acts of Jesus as irrelevant, shifting the entire focus to what they consider a grave theological offense that demands a capital punishment under their law.
• "because You, being a Man, make Yourself God": This group of words crystallizes the fundamental conflict. It contrasts Jesus' observable humanity with His spoken claim of deity. It reveals that the Jewish authorities clearly perceived Jesus to be asserting personal divine identity, not merely claiming to be God's prophet or agent. This direct perception by His opponents is crucial evidence that Jesus himself communicated a claim to be God.

John 10 33 Bonus section

The strong accusation by the Jewish authorities in this verse provides implicit confirmation of Jesus' true nature and claims. Their immediate and violent reaction, rooted in the severity of "blasphemy" in their Law, demonstrates that they understood Jesus to be claiming actual, personal deity, not just acting as an empowered prophet or Messiah. This dispels any notion that Jesus merely hinted at or subtly implied divinity; His contemporary hearers received His words as a direct assertion of equality with God. The tension between "being a Man" and "make Yourself God" sets up the entire narrative of the Incarnation, showing how profoundly offensive the idea was to those without the Spirit's understanding. This scene foreshadows Jesus' eventual condemnation for blasphemy by the Sanhedrin during His trial (Mt 26:65).

John 10 33 Commentary

John 10:33 is a pivotal verse, encapsulating the central theological disagreement between Jesus and the Jewish religious authorities. Their accusation of blasphemy is not a misunderstanding of Jesus' words, but a precise comprehension of His claim to oneness with the Father, which they interpreted as Him, a mere man, making Himself equal with God. This directly contradicts their strict monotheism. They saw it as the ultimate transgression against YHWH, deserving of death by stoning as prescribed in their Law. The irony is that their rejection stemmed from a failure to recognize the divine incarnate, the very fulfillment of the God they professed to serve. The verse underscores Jesus' explicit claim to deity and the profound division it caused. Practically, it highlights the importance of truly hearing and discerning divine truth, rather than relying solely on pre-conceived notions.