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Book of John - Chapter 10 - Verse 33

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.

Meaning

In this verse, the Jews are responding to Jesus after he claimed to be the Son of God. They clarify that they are not trying to stone him for a good work, but for blasphemy. In their eyes, by claiming to be the Son of God, Jesus was making himself equal to God, which they saw as a form of blasphemy. The Jews, being devout followers of the Jewish faith, believed in the oneness and uniqueness of God, and any claim to divinity by a human being was seen as a violation of this foundational belief. The Jews felt that Jesus, being a man, was overstepping his bounds by making such a claim, as they believed that only God could rightfully claim to be God. This conflict of beliefs led to tensions between Jesus and the Jewish religious leaders, ultimately contributing to his crucifixion. This verse highlights a key theological difference between Christianity and Judaism, and underscores the significance of Jesus' claim to divinity in shaping the narrative of his ministry and eventual crucifixion.

Theological Overview

When the Jews accused Jesus of blasphemy for claiming to be God, they were responding to his statements and actions that indicated his divinity. This theological interpretation of the verse reflects the Jewish understanding that making oneself equal to God was the ultimate blasphemy. By claiming to be the Son of God and performing miracles that only God could do, Jesus was challenging their traditional beliefs about the nature of God and his relationship with humanity. The word study of "blasphemy" in this context reveals the seriousness of the charge against Jesus and highlights the cultural and religious implications of his words and deeds. This verse serves as a pivotal moment in the Gospel of John where Jesus' identity as the Son of God is called into question, leading to further conflict and ultimately his crucifixion.

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