John9
American Standard Version · Public Domain
1And as he passed by, he saw a man blind from his birth.
2And his disciples asked him, saying, Rabbi, who sinned, this man, or his parents, that he should be born blind?
3Jesus answered, Neither did this man sin, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.
4We must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
5When I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
6When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and anointed his eyes with the clay,
7and said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam (which is by interpretation, Sent). He went away therefore, and washed, and came seeing.
8The neighbors therefore, and they that saw him aforetime, that he was a beggar, said, Is not this he that sat and begged?
9Others said, It is he: others said, No, but he is like him. He said, I am he.
10They said therefore unto him, How then were thine eyes opened?
11He answered, The man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to Siloam, and wash: so I went away and washed, and I received sight.
12And they said unto him, Where is he? He saith, I know not.
13They bring to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind.
14Now it was the sabbath on the day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes.
15Again therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he received his sight. And he said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and I see.
16Some therefore of the Pharisees said, This man is not from God, because he keepeth not the sabbath. But others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such signs? And there was a division among them.
17They say therefore unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, in that he opened thine eyes? And he said, He is a prophet.
18The Jews therefore did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and had received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight,
19and asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? how then doth he now see?
20His parents answered and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind:
21but how he now seeth, we know not; or who opened his eyes, we know not: ask him; he is of age; he shall speak for himself.
22These things said his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man should confess him to be Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.
23Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him.
24So they called a second time the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give glory to God: we know that this man is a sinner.
25He therefore answered, Whether he is a sinner, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.
26They said therefore unto him, What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes?
27He answered them, I told you even now, and ye did not hear; wherefore would ye hear it again? would ye also become his disciples?
28And they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are disciples of Moses.
29We know that God hath spoken unto Moses: but as for this man, we know not whence he is.
30The man answered and said unto them, Why, herein is the marvel, that ye know not whence he is, and yet he opened mine eyes.
31We know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and do his will, him he heareth.
32Since the world began it was never heard that any one opened the eyes of a man born blind.
33If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.
34They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.
35Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and finding him, he said, Dost thou believe on the Son of God?
36He answered and said, And who is he, Lord, that I may believe on him?
37Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and he it is that speaketh with thee.
38And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.
39And Jesus said, For judgment came I into this world, that they that see not may see; and that they that see may become blind.
40Those of the Pharisees who were with him heard these things, and said unto him, Are we also blind?
41Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye would have no sin: but now ye say, We see: your sin remaineth.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for John 9.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Christ give sight to one born blind. (1–7). The account given by the blind man. (8–12). The Pharisees question the man that had been blind. (13–17). They ask concerning him. (18–23). They cast him out. (24–34). Christ's words to the man that had been blind. (35–38). He reproves the Pharisees. (39–41).
vv1-7
Christ cured many who were blind by disease or accident; here he cured one born blind. Thus he showed his power to help in the most desperate cases, and the work of his grace upon the souls of sinners, which gives sight to those blind by nature. This poor man could not see Christ, but Christ saw him. And if we know or apprehend anything of Christ, it is because we were first known of him. Christ says of uncommon calamities, that they are not always to be looked on as special punishments of sin; sometimes they are for the glory of God, and to manifest his works. Our life is our day, in which it concerns us to do the work of the day. We must be busy, and not waste day-time; it will be time to rest when our day is done, for it is but a day. The approach of death should quicken us to improve all our opportunities of doing and getting good. What good we have an opportunity to do, we should do quickly. And he that will never do a good work till there is nothing to be objected against, will leave many a good work for ever undone, Ec 11:4. Christ magnified his power, in making a blind man to see, doing that which one would think more likely to make a seeing man blind. Human reason cannot judge of the Lord's methods; he uses means and instruments that men despise. Those that would be healed by Christ must be ruled by him. He came back from the pool wondering and wondered at; he came seeing. This represents the benefits in attending on ordinances of Christ's appointment; souls go weak, and come away strengthened; go doubting, and come away satisfied; go mourning, and come away rejoicing; go blind, and come away seeing.
vv8-12
Those whose eyes are opened, and whose hearts are cleansed by grace, being known to be the same person, but widely different in character, live as monuments to the Redeemer's glory, and recommend his grace to all who desire the same precious salvation. It is good to observe the way and method of God's works, and they will appear the more wonderful. Apply this spiritually. In the work of grace wrought upon the soul we see the change, but we see not the hand that makes it: the way of the Spirit is like that of the wind, which thou hearest the sound of, but canst not tell whence it comes, nor whither it goes.
vv13-17
Christ not only worked miracles on the sabbath, but in such a manner as would give offence to the Jews, for he would not seem to yield to the scribes and Pharisees. Their zeal for mere rites consumed the substantial matters of religion; therefore Christ would not give place to them. Also, works of necessity and mercy are allowed, and the sabbath rest is to be kept, in order to the sabbath work. How many blind eyes have been opened by the preaching of the gospel on the Lord's day! how many impotent souls cured on that day! Much unrighteous and uncharitable judging comes from men's adding their own fancies to God's appointments. How perfect in wisdom and holiness was our Redeemer, when his enemies could find nothing against him, but the oft-refuted charge of breaking the sabbath! May we be enabled, by well-doing, to silence the ignorance of foolish men.
Key Words
καί (kaí): and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
παράγω (parágō): to lead near, i.e. (reflexively or intransitively) to go along or away
εἴδω (eídō): used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent G3700 (ὀπτάνομαι) and G3708 (ὁράω); properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, (in the perfect tense only) to know
ἄνθρωπος (ánthrōpos): from G3700 (ὀπτάνομαι)); man-faced, i.e. a human being
τυφλός (typhlós): opaque (as if smoky), i.e. (by analogy) blind (physically or mentally)
ἐκ (ek): literal or figurative; direct or remote)
γενετή (genetḗ): birth
αὐτός (autós): the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
μαθητής (mathētḗs): a learner, i.e. pupil
ἐρωτάω (erōtáō): to interrogate; by implication, to request
Cross References
John 9Siloam's waters symbolize the quiet, sent stream of God's presence, contrasting with proud worldly powers.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Like Naaman's washing in Jordan, this command tests obedience using simple, symbolical water to effect healing.
Supported by JFB
Urgency of working during the designated 'day' of life before the 'night' of death arrives.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Jesus declares Himself the Light of the World, giving spiritual sight to those in darkness.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The parents' fear of excommunication exemplifies how the fear of man brings a dangerous snare.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Reflects the principle that judgment often begins with God's house, though not always as punitive.
Supported by John Calvin
Jesus is entirely consumed with finishing the work assigned to Him by the Father on earth.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Historical identification of the Pool of Siloam, proving the physical reality of the site.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Jesus deliberately heals on the Sabbath, directly challenging the Pharisees' traditional and ritualistic restrictions.
Supported by JFB
Verbal echo of many Jewish leaders fearing excommunication and loving the praise of men.
Supported by JFB
Messianic prophecy fulfilled through Jesus opening the eyes of the blind, showcasing God's manifest power.
Echoes the minority Pharisee objection (Nicodemus' view) that a sinner cannot do such divine miracles.
Supported by JFB
Contrasts the absolute spiritual transformation of once being in darkness but now walking in light.
Supported by Matthew Henry
If they were ignorant, they would have no sin; but willful sight brings remaining guilt.