Devine Scripture

John 10:36

What does John 10:36 mean?

A plain-English look at John 10:36 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 10:36 means

Jesus presses the point: if Scripture uses elevated language for those commissioned by God, how can they accuse Him of blasphemy when He, uniquely sanctified and sent by the Father, says, “I am the Son of God”? His consecration sets Him apart beyond any judge or prophet. The charge collapses under Scripture’s own logic. The claim “Son of God” is not self-aggrandizing; it is a truthful statement of identity and mission. He invites them to judge Him not by prejudice but by revelation—what Scripture allows and what the Father has commissioned Him to be and to do.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

say ye of him, whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

say ye of him, whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Do you say of him whom the Father made holy and sent into the world, Your words are evil; because I said, I am God's Son?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

of him whom the Father did sanctify, and send to the world, do ye say--Thou speakest evil, because I said, Son of God I am?

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Do you say of him whom the Father hath sanctified and sent into the world: Thou blasphemest; because I said: I am the Son of God?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

do ye say of him whom the Father has sanctified and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest, because I said, I am Son ofGod?

Context

Verse 36 concludes Jesus’ scriptural reply to the blasphemy charge, asserting the legitimacy of His claim as the sanctified and sent Son. Next, verses 37–38 return to the decisive test: His works. If He does not do the Father’s works, they need not believe; but if He does, they should believe the works and acknowledge the mutual indwelling of Father and Son. This will prompt another attempt to seize Him (verse 39).

v.35If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came (and the scripture cannot be broken),

v.36This passage

v.37If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • John 10:30

    I and the Father are one.

  • John 17:18

    As thou didst send me into the world, even so sent I them into the world.

  • John 17:21

    that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us: that the world may believe that thou didst send me.

  • Matthew 27:54

    Now the centurion, and they that were with him watching Jesus, when they saw the earthquake, and the things that were done, feared exceedingly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

  • Galatians 4:4

    but when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,

  • Isaiah 42:3

    A bruised reed will he not break, and a dimly burning wick will he not quench: he will bring forth justice in truth.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore John 10

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on John 10.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to John 10:36.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary