85 The parenthetical note And the scripture cannot be broken belongs to Jesus’ words rather than the author’s. Not only does Jesus appeal to the OT to defend himself against the charge of blasphemy, but he also adds that the scripture cannot be “broken.” In this context he does not explain precisely what is meant by “broken,” but it is not too hard to determine. Jesus’ argument depended on the exact word used in the context of Ps 82:6. If any other word for “judge” had been used in the psalm, his argument would have been meaningless. Since the scriptures do use this word in Ps 82:6, the argument is binding, because they cannot be “broken” in the sense of being shown to be in error.

In other versions

If he called them gods to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be broken—

If he called them ‘gods,’ to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be set aside—

If he called those to whom the word of God came ‘gods’—and the Scripture cannot be broken—

And you know that the Scriptures cannot be altered. So if those people who received God’s message were called ‘gods,’

If he called them ‘gods’ to whom the word of God came—and the scripture cannot be broken—

If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;

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