Albert Barnes Commentary John 10:34-36

Albert Barnes Commentary

John 10:34-36

1798–1870
Presbyterian
Albert Barnes
Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes Commentary

John 10:34-36

1798–1870
Presbyterian
SCRIPTURE

"Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, ye are gods? If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came (and the scripture cannot be broken), say ye of him, whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am [the] Son of God?" — John 10:34-36 (ASV)

Jesus answered them. The answer of Jesus consists of two parts. The first (John 10:34–36) shows that they ought not to object to his use of the word God, even if he were no more than a man. The second (John 10:37–38) repeats substantially what he had before said, left the same impression, and in proof of it he appealed to his works.

In your law. Psalms 82:6. The word law here is used to include the Old Testament.

I said. The Psalmist said, or God said by the Psalmist.

Ye are gods. This was said of magistrates on account of the dignity and honour of their office, and it shows that the word translated "god" in that place might be applied to man. Such a use of the word is, however, rare. See instances in Exodus 7:1; Exodus 4:16.