Brief Summary
This video explores Jesus' claim to divinity in John 10:30-36, focusing on the context of Jewish understanding, the significance of Jesus' baptism, and the use of rabbinical argumentation. It argues that Jesus was indeed claiming divinity and uses the concept of "lesser to greater" argument (qal va-chomer) to explain Jesus' reference to Psalm 82 and the "sons of God" (Benet Elohim).
- Jesus' claim to be "one with the Father" was understood by the Jews as a claim to divinity, leading them to attempt to stone him for blasphemy.
- Jesus used a rabbinical technique (qal va-chomer) to argue that if the Old Testament called divine beings "gods," how much more could he, the consecrated Son of God, claim the title?
- The public confirmation of Jesus' divine sonship at his baptism serves as a crucial element in understanding Jesus' defense against the charge of blasphemy.
Introduction
The video introduces a challenging passage in John's Gospel where Jesus is accused of blasphemy for making himself out to be God. The speaker, Nate, presents his interpretation of this passage, suggesting that Jesus was indeed claiming divinity in a way that was undeniable. He invites viewers to consider whether Jesus' words were a direct claim to divinity that the Jews accurately understood.
The Setting: John 10 and Jesus' Claims
The scene is set during the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, where the Jews ask Jesus plainly if he is the Christ. Jesus responds by stating that he has already told them and that his works bear witness to him. He then makes a profound claim: he gives eternal life, and no one can snatch his sheep out of his hand, because he and the Father are one. This declaration leads the Jews to pick up stones to stone him for blasphemy, as they understand that he is making himself equal to God.
Understanding Blasphemy: Jesus' Claim to Divinity
The speaker emphasizes that the Jews' intention to stone Jesus was not due to his claim of being the Messiah, but because he claimed to be divine. The Jews explicitly state that they are stoning him for blasphemy, because he, a man, makes himself God. This understanding is crucial, as it highlights that Jesus' claim to be "one with the Father" was perceived as a direct claim to divinity.
The Significance of Jesus' Baptism
The video shifts to the importance of Jesus' baptism, marking the moment when God publicly declared Jesus as His son. Matthew 3:16-17 and John 1:32-34 are cited to show that the descent of the Holy Spirit and the voice from heaven were public confirmations of Jesus' divine sonship. This public confirmation becomes a key element in Jesus' later defense against the charge of blasphemy.
Jesus' Defense: "I Said, You Are Gods"
When confronted, Jesus responds by quoting Psalm 82:6, "Is it not written in your Law, 'I have said you are gods'?" The speaker explains that Jesus is using a rabbinical technique called "qal va-chomer," or "lesser to greater." He references the work of Michael Heiser, who identifies the "gods" in Psalm 82 as the "Benet Elohim," divine beings who were part of God's divine council.
Qal va-chomer: From Divine Beings to the Son of God
The speaker elaborates on the qal va-chomer argument. If the Old Testament refers to the Benet Elohim as "gods" because of their role as rulers and judges over the nations, how much more can Jesus, the one whom the Father consecrated and sent into the world, be called the Son of God? The key connection is the public consecration: just as the Benet Elohim were appointed by God, Jesus was publicly consecrated at his baptism with divine signs witnessed by others.
The Public Consecration and Jesus' Divinity
The video emphasizes that Jesus is relying on the public knowledge of his baptism to defend his claim to divinity. The speaker argues that Jesus' baptism was a public consecration with signs that others witnessed, and Jesus is using this knowledge to point out that he is not only divine but greater than all the other Benet Elohim. He is raising the bar, not lowering it, by claiming to be one with the Father, who is greater than all.
Conclusion: The Unavoidable Question
The speaker concludes by stating that Jesus never feared hard questions but met challenges with scripture and pointed to public divine validation of his ministry and identity. The question Jesus posed to the Jews thousands of years ago still applies today: if the Father has spoken and scripture cannot be broken, what will you do with Jesus? Who is he?
