John 10:36
Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?
John 10:36
Jesus returns to the claim: “Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?” The immediate context is a dispute about Jesus’ identity and the implications of divine sanctification and sending. To be sanctified and sent by the Father means Jesus has a unique mission and authority. The word “sanctified” is drawn from the language of being set apart for a special purpose. The leaders’ accusation of blasphemy stems from their fear of what this identity means for their own status and for their understanding of God. Jesus uses this moment to press the issue: if he is the Father’s holy, sent agent, how can his claim be blasphemous? He invites them to consider the source and function of his mission rather than simply reacting to his words.
This verse anchors the Jesus-centered Christology in the Gospel of John: Jesus is not asserting autonomy but acting as the Father’s sanctified envoy. It reinforces the theme of unity between Father and Son while distinguishing their distinct roles within the Godhead as understood in Johannine language. The sanctification and sending language also foreshadows Jesus’ ultimate mission—the cross and the sending of the Spirit. It invites a deeper understanding of vocation, holiness, and divine authorization as inseparable from Jesus’ person and work.
In everyday life, consider what it means to be “sanctified” and “sent.” God may set you apart for a particular role—teacher, parent, neighbor, worker, volunteer—and send you into places where your character is tested and your faith is visible. Embrace this calling with humility, recognizing that authority and sanctification come from God, not from public approval. If others accuse you of misrepresenting God, point to your mission and the Source of your authority. Practical steps: seek to live out your calling with integrity, pursue holiness in daily choices, and be ready to explain how your actions reflect God’s purposes. Your sanctification is not just personal piety; it’s a mission to reflect God’s love and truth into the world.
Cross-References: John 17:19; Isaiah 42:1; Hebrews 7:26; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Acts 13:2