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BLASPHEMY.—The modern use of this word is more restricted in its range than that of either the OT or the NT. 1. In the former it is narrower in its scope than in the latter, being almost universally confined to language or deeds (1Ma_2:6) derogating from the honour of God and His claims to the over-lordship of men (Lev_24:10-16, cf. 1Ki_21:10; 1Ki_21:13, 2Ki_19:6 etc.). The contemptuous scorning of sacred places was regarded as blasphemy (see 1Ma_2:6; 1Ma_7:38, cf. Act_6:13), as was also the light and irresponsible utterance of the sacred Name (Isa_52:6, Eze_36:20, Deu_5:11), the degradation of Jehovah-worship by conformity to pagan rites (Eze_20:27), and the continued wilful transgression of Divine commands and despising of ‘the word of the Lord’ (Num_15:30 f.). The incident of the man gathering sticks on the Sabbath seems to be a concrete example of blasphemy (Num_15:32 f.).
2. When we come to the NT, the word is found more frequently, and is employed in a manner more nearly allied to the usage of classical writings. The EV [Note: English Version.] has accordingly tr. [Note: translate or translation.] it often as ‘railing’ or slanderous talk generally (Mat_15:19 = Mar_7:22, Eph_4:31, Col_3:8, 1Ti_6:4, Jud_1:9), looked at, however, on its ethical and religious side. The cognate verb, too, is treated in the same way (Mar_15:29 = Mat_27:39, Luk_22:65; Luk_23:39, Rom_3:8; Rom_14:16, 1Co_4:18; 1Co_10:30, Tit_3:2, 1Pe_4:4; 1Pe_4:14, 2Pe_2:2; 2Pe_2:10; 2Pe_2:12, Jud_1:8; Jud_1:10), as is also the derived adjective (2Ti_3:2, 2Pe_2:11).
One of the most frequent of the charges brought by the Jews against Jesus was that of blasphemy, and when we inquire into the meaning of the accusation, we find that it was the application to Himself of Divine attributes and prerogatives (Mar_2:7 = Mat_9:3, Mar_14:64 = Mat_26:65, Joh_10:33; Joh_10:36). On the other hand, the NT writers regarded the unreasoning attitude of the Jews to the claims and teaching of Jesus as blasphemous (Mar_15:29 = Mat_27:39, Luk_22:65; Luk_23:39, Act_13:45; Act_18:6). It is interesting also to notice that this is the word put by the author of the Acts into the mouth of the town-clerk of Ephesus when he was appeasing the riotous mob who were persuaded that St. Paul and his companions had insulted the local deity (Act_19:37).
3. The legal punishment for blasphemy was death (Lev_24:16), and so the Jews claimed the life of Jesus, as the just and lawful outcome of His words and teaching (Joh_19:7, cf. Joh_10:33; Joh_8:58 f.). The proto-martyr Stephen lost his life, too, on a charge of blasphemy (Act_6:13; Act_7:58), when his enemies, in a violent and sudden fit of rage, forgot the limitation imposed on them as vassals of the Roman Empire (cf. Joh_18:31; see Westcott, Gospel of St. John, Additional Note in loc). On the ‘blasphemy against the Holy Ghost,’ see art. Sin, III. 1.
J. R. Willis.