In the Gospel of John, chapter 10, verse 34, Jesus engages in a profound theological discourse. When challenged by Jewish leaders for claiming to be the Son of God, Jesus responds by quoting Psalms 82:6, stating, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I said, ye are gods’?” (John 10:34). This passage often raises questions and requires careful examination to understand its meaning within the biblical context.
To grasp the significance of John 10:34, it’s crucial to understand what Jesus meant by “your Law” and the implications of quoting “ye are gods.” The term “Law” here isn’t limited to the Mosaic Law, or the first five books of the Old Testament (Pentateuch). Instead, as understood in Jewish tradition and by Jesus himself, “Law” (Torah) broadly encompasses the entire Hebrew Bible, what Christians refer to as the Old Testament. This understanding is supported by Jewish scholars who recognize that the term “law” frequently included the Prophets and the Writings (Hagiographa), where the Book of Psalms is situated.
Psalm 82:6, the verse quoted by Jesus, declares, “I said, ‘You are gods, and all of you are children of the Most High.'” Who are these “gods”? The context of Psalm 82 reveals that it is addressed to rulers and judges of Israel, those entrusted with authority and justice. These individuals are called “gods” not in the sense of being divine beings themselves, but because they act as God’s representatives on earth, administering justice and upholding law. They are deputies of the divine, reflecting God’s authority in their roles.
Jewish interpretations further support this understanding. The Targum, an Aramaic paraphrase of the Hebrew Bible, interprets “gods” in Psalm 82:6 as “angels,” or “accounted as angels.” While some Jewish commentators lean towards an angelic interpretation, importantly, even those who debated the interpretation acknowledged that the term “gods” was indeed applied to judges. References in Jewish texts, including the Talmud and writings of prominent Rabbis, illustrate that the concept of judges being referred to as “gods” was a recognized idea within Jewish thought. For example, Exodus 22:9 refers to judges as “gods” (Elohim in Hebrew), further demonstrating this usage within the scriptures.
Jesus’s use of Psalm 82:6 in John 10:34 is not to claim that humans are inherently divine in the same way as God. Instead, he leverages a point already established within their own scriptures to counter the accusation of blasphemy. If the term “gods” could be applied to human judges who were merely entrusted with earthly authority, how much more could Jesus, who claimed a unique and direct relationship with God, use a title that reflected his divine nature without blasphemy? He is arguing from a lesser to a greater point – if those who represent divine authority are called “gods,” then his claim, rooted in a deeper divine connection, should not be considered blasphemous.
By quoting Psalm 82:6, Jesus isn’t diminishing God’s uniqueness or elevating humans to divine status. He is skillfully using a scriptural argument to defend his identity and mission. He is pointing out the hypocrisy of his accusers: they accept the term “gods” applied to human authorities within their scriptures, yet they condemn him for using language that reflects his divine sonship. John 10:34, therefore, serves as a powerful assertion of Jesus’s authority, grounded in the very scriptures his opponents revered.
This passage encourages a deeper understanding of biblical language and context. It reveals the richness of the Old Testament and how Jesus masterfully used scripture to communicate profound theological truths and defend his divine identity. Understanding John 10:34 requires acknowledging the nuances of language, the breadth of “Law” in Jewish tradition, and the specific context of Psalm 82, ultimately leading to a richer appreciation of Jesus’s teachings and his relationship with the Father.
References
- R. Azarias in Meor Enayim, c. 7. fol. 47. 1.
- T. Bab. Sanhedrin, fol. 91. 2.
- T. Bab. Beracot, fol. 32. 2.
- R. Isaac Chizzuk Emuna, par. 2. c. 51. p. 440, 441.
- Kimchi and Ben Melech’s commentaries on Psalm 82.
- Exodus 22:9.
- Psalm 82:6.
- John 10:34.
