John 10 and early Christian readings of 82:6–7

Says Jesus answers, “Is it not written in your Law: ‘I have said you are gods’?” (John 10:34, BSB), then, “If he called them gods to whom the word of God came—and the Scripture cannot be broken—” (10:35). The Greek of 10:34 agrees in form with Ps 81:6 LXX and renders the Hebrew of Ps 82:6 exactly; see note.cross-reference.Ps.82.6.john-10-34-form.

Among early Christian writers, Justin Martyr (Dial. 124) applies the psalm to human beings made like God, free from suffering and death if they kept his commands, who bring death on themselves like Adam and Eve; “one of the princes” is the serpent. Augustine (Tract. Ev. Jo. 48.9) reads John 10:34–36 of men called gods by the word of God and reasons that the Word is God. Chrysostom (Hom. Jo. 61.2) paraphrases Jesus: if those who received the name by grace are not blamed, he who has it by nature should not be rebuked.

Uncertain The identity of the אֱלֹהִים of 82:1b and 82:6 is open: heavenly council beings, human judges or rulers, or Israel at Sinai. Each view appeals to “to whom the word of God came” (John 10:35). No lean is taken here. Christ’s deity is not argued from this passage; see note.exegetical.John.1.1-John.1.2.word-with-god.