John 10:35
New International Version
If he called them ‘gods,’ to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be set aside—

New Living Translation
And you know that the Scriptures cannot be altered. So if those people who received God’s message were called ‘gods,’

English Standard Version
If he called them gods to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be broken—

Berean Standard Bible
If he called them gods to whom the word of God came—and the Scripture cannot be broken—

Berean Literal Bible
If he called them gods to whom the word of God came, and the Scripture is not able to be broken,

King James Bible
If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;

New King James Version
If He called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken),

New American Standard Bible
If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be nullified),

NASB 1995
“If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken),

NASB 1977
“If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken),

Legacy Standard Bible
If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken),

Amplified Bible
If He called them gods, men to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be undone or annulled or broken),

Christian Standard Bible
If he called those to whom the word of God came ‘gods’—and the Scripture cannot be broken—

Holman Christian Standard Bible
If He called those whom the word of God came to ‘gods—and the Scripture cannot be broken—

American Standard Version
If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came (and the scripture cannot be broken),

Contemporary English Version
You can't argue with the Scriptures, and God spoke to those people and called them gods.

English Revised Version
If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came (and the scripture cannot be broken),

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The Scriptures cannot be discredited. So if God calls people gods (and they are the people to whom he gave the Scriptures),

Good News Translation
We know that what the scripture says is true forever; and God called those people gods, the people to whom his message was given.

International Standard Version
If he called those to whom a message from God came 'gods' (and the Scripture cannot be disregarded),

Majority Standard Bible
If he called them gods to whom the word of God came—and the Scripture cannot be broken—

NET Bible
If those people to whom the word of God came were called 'gods' (and the scripture cannot be broken),

New Heart English Bible
If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken),

Webster's Bible Translation
If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;

Weymouth New Testament
If those to whom God's word was addressed are called gods (and the Scripture cannot be annulled)

World English Bible
If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture can’t be broken),
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
If He called them gods to whom the word of God came (and the Writing is not able to be broken),

Berean Literal Bible
If he called them gods to whom the word of God came, and the Scripture is not able to be broken,

Young's Literal Translation
if them he did call gods unto whom the word of God came, (and the Writing is not able to be broken,)

Smith's Literal Translation
If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came, and the writing cannot be loosed;
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
If he called them gods, to whom to word of God was spoken, and the scripture cannot be broken;

Catholic Public Domain Version
If he called those to whom the word of God was given gods, and Scripture cannot be broken,

New American Bible
If it calls them gods to whom the word of God came, and scripture cannot be set aside,

New Revised Standard Version
If those to whom the word of God came were called ‘gods’—and the scripture cannot be annulled—
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
If he called them gods, because the word of God was with them, and the scripture cannot be broken;

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“If he called those men gods because The Word of God was with them and the scripture cannot be destroyed”,
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
If he called them gods, to whom the word of God was committed, (and the scripture can not be made void,)

Godbey New Testament
If He called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture is not able to be broken),

Haweis New Testament
If he called those gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;

Mace New Testament
if the law stiles them Gods, who received the orders of God, and if the scripture is of any authortiy,

Weymouth New Testament
If those to whom God's word was addressed are called gods (and the Scripture cannot be annulled)

Worrell New Testament
If He called them gods to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken),

Worsley New Testament
And if it stiled them gods, to whom the word of God came, (and the scripture cannot be made void,)

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Unbelief of the Jews
34Jesus replied, “Is it not written in your Law: ‘I have said you are gods’? 35If he called them gods to whom the word of God came— and the Scripture cannot be broken— 36then what about the One whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world? How then can you accuse Me of blasphemy for stating that I am the Son of God?…

Cross References
Psalm 82:6
I have said, ‘You are gods; you are all sons of the Most High.’

Isaiah 55:11
so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it.

2 Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Matthew 5:18
For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.

1 Peter 1:25
but the word of the Lord stands forever.” And this is the word that was proclaimed to you.

Numbers 23:19
God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?

Isaiah 40:8
The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”

Romans 3:2
Much in every way. First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God.

2 Peter 1:20-21
Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture comes from one’s own interpretation. / For no such prophecy was ever brought forth by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

John 17:17
Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.

Matthew 24:35
Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.

Luke 16:17
But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for a single stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law.

Galatians 3:8
The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and foretold the gospel to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.”

Acts 7:38
He was in the assembly in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers. And he received living words to pass on to us.


Treasury of Scripture

If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;

unto.

Genesis 15:1
After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

Deuteronomy 18:15,18-20
The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken; …

1 Samuel 14:36,37
And Saul said, Let us go down after the Philistines by night, and spoil them until the morning light, and let us not leave a man of them. And they said, Do whatsoever seemeth good unto thee. Then said the priest, Let us draw near hither unto God…

the scripture.

John 12:38,39
That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? …

John 19:28,36,37
After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst…

Matthew 5:18
For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

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Able Addressed Annulled Broken Gods God's Scripture Word Writing Writings
John 10
1. Jesus is the door, and the good shepherd.
19. Diverse opinions of him.
23. He proves by his works that he is Jesus the Son of God;
31. escapes the Jews;
39. and goes again beyond Jordan, where many believe on him.














If he called them gods
This phrase refers to a passage in Psalm 82:6, where God addresses human judges as "gods" (elohim) due to their role in executing divine justice. The term "gods" here is not to be understood as divine beings but as representatives of God's authority on earth. In the historical context, judges were seen as God's mouthpiece, and their judgments were to reflect His justice and righteousness. The use of "gods" underscores the gravity and responsibility of their role. Jesus uses this reference to argue that if human judges can be called "gods" due to their divine commission, how much more can He, the Son of God, claim a unique relationship with the Father.

to whom the word of God came
This phrase emphasizes the divine origin and authority of the message delivered to the judges. The "word of God" (logos tou Theou) signifies the divine revelation and command that was entrusted to them. In the broader scriptural context, the "word of God" is powerful, creative, and authoritative, as seen in Genesis 1 and throughout the prophetic writings. The historical context suggests that these judges were expected to administer justice according to God's revealed will, highlighting the sacred trust placed upon them. Jesus implies that if these judges received such a designation through God's word, His own claim is even more legitimate, given His unique relationship with the Father.

and the Scripture cannot be broken
This phrase asserts the inviolability and enduring truth of Scripture. The Greek word for "broken" (luo) means to loosen or dissolve, indicating that Scripture cannot be nullified or disregarded. From a conservative Christian perspective, this underscores the belief in the inerrancy and infallibility of the Bible. Historically, Jewish tradition held Scripture in the highest regard, considering it the ultimate authority in matters of faith and practice. Jesus' statement affirms that every word of Scripture is binding and must be fulfilled. This serves as a foundation for His argument, as He appeals to the authority of Scripture to validate His claims and teachings.

(35) If he called them gods.--The argument is another example of Hillel's famous First Canon of Interpretation--that the greater may be inferred from the less. The pronoun "he" (He) refers probably to God (see Note on John 10:34), or the rendering may be "it," as referring to "law"--i.e., the Psalm.

Unto whom the word of God came--i.e., the word declaring "Ye are gods," and pointing back to the time indicated by "I said," when each one was set apart to be a representative of God, and in that he had His authority to bear also His name.

The scripture cannot be broken.--More literally, cannot be loosened. Comp. Notes on Matthew 5:18-19, and for the word rendered "broken" see also in this Gospel John 5:18; John 7:23.

Verse 35. - If he (the Holy Spirit, or the Holy Lawgiver, the subject is left indefinite) called them gods (elohim), to whom the Word of God came - the personal "Word" need not be excluded here; the "Word of God" was the Divine agency by which prophets spoke and psalmists sang - and the Scripture (γραφή is singular, and has reference, not to all the γραφαί, but to this one word) cannot he broken; loosed, destroyed. A fine testimony to the confidence which our Lord exercised in the Holy Scripture. He was accustomed to educe principles of life from its inward structure, from its concealed framework, from its underlying verities. The very method adopted by Jesus on this occasion revealed the fact that both he and his biographer were born Jews. These tyrannical judges were "to die like men," yet, since "the Word of God came to them," there was a sense in which even they, without blasphemous assumptions, might receive the title of elohim.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
If
εἰ (ei)
Conjunction
Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.

he called
εἶπεν (eipen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

them
ἐκείνους (ekeinous)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1565: That, that one there, yonder. From ekei; that one (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed.

gods
θεοὺς (theous)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

to
πρὸς (pros)
Preposition
Strong's 4314: To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.

whom
οὓς (hous)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

the
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

word
λόγος (logos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3056: From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression.

of God
Θεοῦ (Theou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

came—
ἐγένετο (egeneto)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1096: A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

the
(hē)
Article - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Scripture
γραφή (graphē)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1124: (a) a writing, (b) a passage of scripture; plur: the scriptures. A document, i.e. Holy Writ.

cannot
δύναται (dynatai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1410: (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible.

be broken—
λυθῆναι (lythēnai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Passive
Strong's 3089: A primary verb; to 'loosen'.


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