John 10:36
Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?
Original Language Analysis
ὃν
of him whom
G3739
ὃν
of him whom
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
1 of 19
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πατὴρ
the Father
G3962
πατὴρ
the Father
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
3 of 19
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
ἡγίασεν
hath sanctified
G37
ἡγίασεν
hath sanctified
Strong's:
G37
Word #:
4 of 19
to make holy, i.e., (ceremonially) purify or consecrate; (mentally) to venerate
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
5 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀπέστειλεν
sent
G649
ἀπέστειλεν
sent
Strong's:
G649
Word #:
6 of 19
set apart, i.e., (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or figuratively
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
7 of 19
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κόσμον
the world
G2889
κόσμον
the world
Strong's:
G2889
Word #:
9 of 19
orderly arrangement, i.e., decoration; by implication, the world (including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))
λέγετε
Say
G3004
λέγετε
Say
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
11 of 19
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
ὅτι
because
G3754
ὅτι
because
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
12 of 19
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
Βλασφημεῖς
Thou blasphemest
G987
Βλασφημεῖς
Thou blasphemest
Strong's:
G987
Word #:
13 of 19
to vilify; specially, to speak impiously
ὅτι
because
G3754
ὅτι
because
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
14 of 19
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
Υἱὸς
the Son
G5207
Υἱὸς
the Son
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
16 of 19
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
John 3:17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.Jeremiah 1:5Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.John 20:31But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.John 6:27Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.Psalms 2:2The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,Romans 9:5Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.Romans 1:4And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:Matthew 27:43He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.John 20:28And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.John 17:8For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.
Historical Context
The title 'Son of God' carried profound theological weight in Second Temple Judaism. When Jesus claimed it, Jewish leaders understood He claimed divine nature, not merely Davidic Messiahship. At His trial, the high priest understood 'Son of God' as a blasphemous deity claim (Matthew 26:63-65), confirming this interpretation.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus being 'sanctified and sent' by the Father before incarnation demonstrate His preexistence and deity?
- What's the difference between being called 'son of God' (like Israel corporately or judges functionally) and being THE Son of God eternally?
- How should the logic of Jesus's defense shape how Christians explain His deity to skeptics?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God? (ὃν ὁ πατὴρ ἡγίασεν καὶ ἀπέστειλεν εἰς τὸν κόσμον ὑμεῖς λέγετε ὅτι Βλασφημεῖς, ὅτι εἶπον· Υἱὸς τοῦ θεοῦ εἰμι, hon ho pater hēgiasen kai apesteilen eis ton kosmon hymeis legete hoti Blasphemeis, hoti eipon· Huios tou theou eimi)—Jesus describes Himself with two divine actions: ἡγίασεν (hēgiasen, 'sanctified, set apart') and ἀπέστειλεν (apesteilen, 'sent'). The Father uniquely sanctified Him before sending Him εἰς τὸν κόσμον (eis ton kosmon, 'into the world')—language of preexistence and Incarnation. I am the Son of God (Υἱὸς τοῦ θεοῦ εἰμι, Huios tou theou eimi) isn't claiming adoptive sonship but eternal ontological relationship.
Jesus's argument reaches its climax: if Scripture calls human judges 'gods,' how can charging blasphemy against the one whom God Himself sanctified and sent be justified? The logic is irrefutable for those willing to accept it. 'Son of God' in Jewish context meant equality with God (John 5:18; Philippians 2:6)—not merely special prophet or Messiah.