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Commentaries
English
John
  
e) The Son of God in the Father and the Father in him
(John 10:31-36)
31The Jews took stones again to stone him.32Jesus answered them, "I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of these do you stone Me?"33The Jews answered him, "We stone you for no good work, but for blasphemy; because you, being a man, make yourself God."34Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, "You are god’s." ’?35If he called them gods to whom the word of God came (and Scripture cannot be broken),36do you say to him whom the Father consecrated and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming’, because I said, "I am the Son of God?"


The Jews hated Jesus as he said, "I and the Father are One." They treated his witness to himself as blasphemy, and were keen to stone him as the law required, otherwise the wrath of Jehovah would fall on the nation. So they ran to the courtyard and came with stones to cast at him.
Jesus stood calmly before them asking, "What evil have I done to you? I served you, healed your sick, exorcised demons and opened the eyes of your blind. I cleansed the lepers and preached the Gospel to the poor. For which of these deeds do you want to kill me? You seek to destroy your benefactor. I do not seek honor or money for my services, which I humbly called my Father’s works. I am here as your servant."
The Jews shouted, "We do not stone you for any work done, but because of your blasphemy. You have raised yourself to the level of God, while you stand among us as a mere mortal. We shall shed your blood to show that you are mortal. How dare you say that you are God, one with the Holy One? You must be demon-possessed, you deserve instant destruction.
With full confidence Jesus replied, "Have you not read in your Law that God used to personally speak to his elect, saying, "You are gods, you are all sons of the Most High" (Psalm 82:6), whereas you are yourselves perishing and falling from one sin into another. Doubtless, all are sinners, wandering in error. Yet God called them "gods and sons" for His divine name’s sake. He has no wish for you to perish, but that you may live for ever. Return to your God and be holy as He is."
"So, why do you want to stone me? God Himself calls you "gods and children". I have not committed a sin like you. I am holy in word and in deed; I have the right to live for ever, as the true Son of God. Read what is written in your Law and you will know me, but you do not believe even in your Scriptures, and do not recognize my deity."
"I have not sent myself, but the Holy Father has sent me. I am his Son; He is my Father. His holiness rests in me. So I am God from God, light from light, begotten not created, of one essence with the Father."
Jesus overcame the Jews with texts from their own Scriptures, and demolished their arguments. But their eyes remained malignant with hatred, but they lowered their arms, since Jesus had proved from their Book the possibility of divine Sonship in the Old Testament generally and in particular applied to him.