SUNDAY SPEC: IS IT BLASPHEMOUS TO SAYS WE ARE Gods ?

Jesus answered them, "Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those works do you stone Me?"


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 10:32-33)

Jesus identified himself as the son of God (singular, unique) this is why they picked up stones, yet they did not say because he is one of many gods but he is making himself to be God, singular.

Jesus as the Son of God, has a unique relationship to the Father that no other has. In Jn.10 Jesus is responding to the Jewish leaders who had accused Him of blasphemy, he is speaking to the Pharisees. Is Jesus saying the Pharisees are gods? They were his enemies who did not believe in Christ being the Son of God.

Jesus is mocking them by calling them gods (this is a tongue and cheek expression). But you do not recognize THE God among you; because the Pharisees were blinded to who Jesus truly was.

The verse Jesus quoted in Ps.82 has the word elohim for god which can also mean rulers or judges especially in the human sense. What Jesus was saying is that God appointed these men to be rulers but they are unable to recognize his rulership which is supreme over them.

The word elohim is used for God, false gods, men and angels. It is never used for creatures (man or angels) to state they are God as YHWH is God. Psalms 96:5 and Psalms 97:7 the "worthless idols" of the pagans are referred to as "elohim." Jesus’ intent is to portray them as rulers of certain positions in the world. elohim is applied to an aspect of God. As God is to be ruler and judge over the people, He installed human rulers to do the same (see Deut.19:17-18). God called the unrighteous judges of Israel “gods” (elohim). The Psalm Jesus is quoting is a put-down of corrupt judges and leaders who were abusing their authority and he is using it with irony. The word Judges is found in Ex.21:22; 22:8-9 it is Ha Elohim (other scriptures of how the acted are found in Deut.1:16; 16:18; 25:1; 2 Sam.11:7).

Psalm 82:1-8 “God stands in the congregation of the mighty; he judges among the gods. How long will you judge unjustly, and show partiality to the wicked? Selah. Defend the poor and fatherless; do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy; free them from the hand of the wicked. They do not know, nor do they understand; they walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are unstable. I said, “You are gods, and all of you are children of the Most High. But you shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.” Arise, O God, judge the earth; for You shall inherit all nations.”