John 10:33
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.
Original Language Analysis
ἀπεκρίθησαν
answered
G611
ἀπεκρίθησαν
answered
Strong's:
G611
Word #:
1 of 22
to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
2 of 22
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λέγοντες,
saying
G3004
λέγοντες,
saying
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
5 of 22
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
περὶ
For
G4012
περὶ
For
Strong's:
G4012
Word #:
6 of 22
properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas
καλοῦ
a good
G2570
καλοῦ
a good
Strong's:
G2570
Word #:
7 of 22
properly, beautiful, but chiefly (figuratively) good (literally or morally), i.e., valuable or virtuous (for appearance or use, and thus distinguished
ἔργου
work
G2041
ἔργου
work
Strong's:
G2041
Word #:
8 of 22
toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act
ἀλλὰ
but
G235
ἀλλὰ
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
12 of 22
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
περὶ
For
G4012
περὶ
For
Strong's:
G4012
Word #:
13 of 22
properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
15 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὅτι
because
G3754
ὅτι
because
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
16 of 22
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
Cross References
John 5:18Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.Leviticus 24:16And he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name of the LORD, shall be put to death.John 10:30I and my Father are one.
Historical Context
The charge of blasphemy carried the death penalty under Mosaic Law (Leviticus 24:16). Jewish leaders lacked authority to execute under Roman rule, which is why they later brought Him to Pilate with political charges (Luke 23:2). But their true grievance was always theological: Jesus's deity claim threatened their religious system and authority.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the Jewish leaders' clear understanding of Jesus's deity claim challenge modern attempts to portray Him as merely a moral teacher?
- Why is Jesus's claim to be both fully human and fully God the central issue of Christianity—not peripheral doctrine?
- What does it mean that Jesus's blasphemy was either true (making Him God) or false (making Him a deceiver worthy of death)—no middle ground exists?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy (ἀπεκρίθησαν αὐτῷ οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι· Περὶ καλοῦ ἔργου οὐ λιθάζομέν σε ἀλλὰ περὶ βλασφημίας, apekrithesan auto hoi Ioudaioi· Peri kalou ergou ou lithazomen se alla peri blasphemias)—They explicitly state the charge: βλασφημία (blasphemia, 'blasphemy'), speaking against God. And because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God (καὶ ὅτι σὺ ἄνθρωπος ὢν ποιεῖς σεαυτὸν θεόν, kai hoti sy anthropos on poieis seauton theon)—they correctly identify Jesus's claim: though ἄνθρωπος (anthropos, 'a man, human'), He makes Himself θεόν (theon, 'God').
This verse demonstrates that first-century Jews understood exactly what Jesus claimed—full deity, not mere Messiahship or prophetic status. Modern attempts to reinterpret Jesus as merely a good teacher or prophet ignore that His contemporaries faced His unambiguous deity claims and chose sides. Either they were right (He blasphemed) or He truly is God incarnate—no other option exists.