10:35–36

In these verses Jesus argued on the basis of biblical authority that it was acceptable to call himself “God’s Son.” He argued that because the Old Testament used the term “gods” for people, this was an acceptable title for himself. It was not blasphemy to call himself “God’s Son,” because Scripture referred to other humans by an even greater title.

10:35a

If he called them gods to whom the word of God came: Jesus began his argument by pointing out that the Old Testament refers to some human beings as gods.

If he called them gods: The word If in this context means “because.” It introduces something that did definitely happen. The fact that it happened is the basis for Jesus’ argument. Your translation should make it clear that some people were in fact called gods. For example:

Because those were called ‘gods’
-or-
it uses the word ‘gods’ of those people (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
This Scripture called those people gods (New Century Version)

to whom the word of God came: This phrase indicates that God spoke to these people. They received God’s word, his message. For example:

those to whom God spoke
-or-
the people to whom his message was given (Good News Translation)
-or-
God spoke to those people (Contemporary English Version)

This phrase refers to the same people who were referred to as “gods” in 10:34b (see the note there). Because scholars disagree about who the phrase refers to, it is recommended that you translate it literally.

the word of God: The phrase the word of God here means “God’s message.” See how you translated the same expression in Luke 3:2 and Jeremiah 1:4, 11.

10:35b

and: The word and introduces a second fulfilled condition, something that is true. The word “if” in the sense of “because” from 10:35a also applies here:

and ⌊because⌋ the Scripture cannot be proved false

the Scripture cannot be broken: The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as broken means “destroyed” or “made to have no authority.” This clause indicates that the Scripture cannot be ignored or rejected as false. That means that the Scripture is always true and always has authority. So we cannot argue against it and say that the way it uses words (here, the word “gods”) is wrong. Here are other ways to translate this clause:

the Scripture does not ever change
-or-
You can’t argue with the Scriptures (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
scripture cannot be removed

This is a passive clause. There are at least two ways to translate it:

• Use a passive verb. For example:

the Scripture cannot be broken (NET Bible Bible)

• Use an active verb. For example:

what the scripture says is true forever (Good News Translation)

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