Today’s question is: What does the Bible mean by “you are gods” in Psalm 82:6 and
John 10:34?
In this video I’ll answer that question from a biblical perspective.
Then afterwards, as always, I’ll share some helpful resources, so stick around until the
end.
Let’s start with a look at Psalm 82, the psalm that Jesus quotes in John 10:34.
The Hebrew word translated “gods” in Psalm 82:6 is Elohim.
It usually refers to the one true God, but it does have other uses.
Psalm 82:1 says, “God presides in the great assembly; he gives judgment among the gods.”
It is clear from the next three verses that the word “gods” refers to magistrates,
judges, and other people who hold positions of authority and rule.
Calling a human magistrate a “god” indicates three things: 1) he has authority over other
human beings, 2) the power he wields as a civil authority is to be feared, and 3) he
derives his power and authority from God Himself, who is pictured as judging the whole earth
in verse 8.
This use of the word “gods” to refer to humans is rare, but it is found elsewhere
in the Old Testament.
For example, when God sent Moses to Pharaoh, He said, “See, I have made you like God
to Pharaoh” (Exodus 7:1).
This simply means that Moses, as the messenger of God, was speaking God’s words and would
therefore be God’s representative to the king.
The Hebrew word Elohim is translated “judges” in Exodus 21:6 and 22:8, 9, and 28.
The whole point of Psalm 82 is that earthly judges must act with impartiality and true
justice, because even judges must stand someday before the Judge.
Verses 6 and 7 warn human magistrates that they, too, must be judged: “I said, `You
are gods; you are all sons of the Most High.'
But you will die like mere men; you will fall like every other ruler.”
This passage is saying that God has appointed men to positions of authority in which they
are considered as gods among the people.
They are to remember that, even though they are representing God in this world, they are
mortal and must eventually give an account to God for how they used that authority.
Now, let’s look at how Jesus uses this passage.
Jesus had just claimed to be the Son of God (John 10:25-30).
The unbelieving Jews respond by charging Jesus with blasphemy, since He claimed to be God
(verse 33).
Jesus then quotes Psalm 82:6, reminding the Jews that the Law refers to mere men—albeit
men of authority and prestige—as “gods.”
Jesus’ point is this: you charge me with blasphemy based on my use of the title “Son
of God”; yet your own Scriptures apply the same term to magistrates in general.
If those who hold a divinely appointed office can be considered “gods,” how much more
can the One whom God has chosen and sent (verses 34-36)?
In contrast, we have the serpent’s lie to Eve in the Garden.
His statement, “your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and
evil” (Genesis 3:5), was a half-truth.
Their eyes were opened (verse 7), but they did not become like God.
In fact, they lost authority, rather than gaining it.
Satan deceived Eve about her ability to become like the one true God, and so led her into
a lie.
Jesus defended His claim to be the Son of God on biblical and semantic grounds—there
is a sense in which influential men can be thought of as gods; therefore, the Messiah
can rightly apply the term to Himself.
Human beings are not “gods” or “little gods.”
We are not God.
God is God, and we who know Christ are His children.
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