What is blasphemy?
Quick answer
Blasphemy is speech or thought that dishonors God — claiming what belongs to him, or denigrating his name, character, or work.
The Old Testament treated blasphemy as a serious offense (Leviticus 24:16). It guarded God's honor in a community shaped by his name.
Jesus was accused of blasphemy for claiming divine prerogatives — but he was rightly claiming them.
Jesus warned of "blasphemy against the Holy Spirit" as a hardened, persistent rejection of the Spirit's witness to Christ. It is not a single anxious thought but a settled posture.
Original BibleDawn answer · reviewed 2026-06-07. Drafted with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy.