Why does Jesus say “You are gods” in John 10?

Many Mormons interpret Jesus’ words here as approval of the LDS teaching on Eternal Progression–that men can become gods. But Christians are quick to point out that the whole testimony of Scripture is that there only ever has been, and ever will be, one Creator God. So if Eternal Progression is false–as Christians claim–then why is this text in the bible? Let’s consider what it says.

This chapter tells about a time when Jesus was asked point blank, “are you the Christ?” Jesus answers by pointing to all the miracles that He has done in their midst, works that He has done in His Father’s name, and He concludes His answer by saying, “I and the Father are one.”

Then, John tells us…

The Jews picked up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?” The Jews answered him, “It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God.” Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I said, you are gods’? If he called them gods to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be broken— do you say of him whom the Father consecrated and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? (John 10:31-36)

So, why does Jesus answer in this way? First, we should notice that when Jesus uses the phrase, “I said you are gods”, He is not pulling that phrase out of a hat. He is quoting from an OT passage—Psalm 82—Which says

“God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment: “How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” They have neither knowledge nor understanding, they walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken. I said, “You are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you; nevertheless, like men you shall die, and fall like any prince.” Arise, O God, judge the earth; for you shall inherit all the nations!” (Psalm 82)

This Psalm is God’s indictment on men who are ruling unjustly, oppressing the underprivileged, and therefore are deserving Judgment.

So, why does Jesus use this Psalm in His defense? I think there are 2 reasons:

#1) To show that he is NOT guilty of “blasphemy”.

In John 10, the crowd of Jews were ready to carry out the death penalty on Jesus on the charge of Blasphemy. But Jesus rightly points out that even if He were merely a man—as this mob assumed—and were to refer to God as His Father, He would not be guilty of blasphemy, but simply using Old Testament language that refers to men as “gods” or “sons of the most high”.

Quoting Scripture and using Bible language is not blasphemy. So not only is Jesus not guilty of blasphemy, but in fact—by the very act of picking up stones to execute Him—these Jews are doing precisely what Psalm 82 clearly condemns: Judging Unjustly!

#2) Jesus uses this Psalm to rebuke this religious crowd for their wickedness.

If Jesus only wanted to make the point that it was not blasphemy for Him to call God His Father, He could have used any one of a number of verses in the Old Testament. But He chooses Psalm 82!

This Psalm is a rebuke against corrupt religious leaders who use their positions of power to abuse the weak and needy. It promises certain punishment for their injustice.

The Religious hypocrites of Jesus’ day–like the crooked rulers before them–had been showing partiality to the wicked. They had refused justice to the weak and fatherless, and  trampled on the rights of the afflicted and the destitute.

By citing this Psalm, Jesus draws on one of the harshest rebukes in the Old Testament and levels it right at these religious fools.

So again Jesus is doing two things here:

#1) Showing that He is innocent on the charge of “blasphemy”

#2) He is proclaiming judgment on this crowd of wicked Jews.

Jesus uses Psalm 82 to prove that the guilty party here is not Him, but the angry Jewish mob of hypocrites around Him. That’s why Jesus quotes Psalm 82 in His defense.