John9
New International Version
1As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth.
2His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
3“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.
4As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.
5While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
6After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes.
7“Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.
8His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, “Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?”
9Some claimed that he was. Others said, “No, he only looks like him.” But he himself insisted, “I am the man.”
10“How then were your eyes opened?” they asked.
11He replied, “The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see.”
12“Where is this man?” they asked him. “I don’t know,” he said.
13They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind.
14Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man’s eyes was a Sabbath.
15Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. “He put mud on my eyes,” the man replied, “and I washed, and now I see.”
16Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” But others asked, “How can a sinner perform such signs?” So they were divided.
17Then they turned again to the blind man, “What have you to say about him? It was your eyes he opened.” The man replied, “He is a prophet.”
18They still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they sent for the man’s parents.
19“Is this your son?” they asked. “Is this the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see?”
20“We know he is our son,” the parents answered, “and we know he was born blind.
21But how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don’t know. Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself.”
22His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who already had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue.
23That was why his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.”
24A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. “Give glory to God by telling the truth,” they said. “We know this man is a sinner.”
25He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!”
26Then they asked him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?”
27He answered, “I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples too?”
28Then they hurled insults at him and said, “You are this fellow’s disciple! We are disciples of Moses!
29We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don’t even know where he comes from.”
30The man answered, “Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes.
31We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will.
32Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind.
33If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.”
34To this they replied, “You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!” And they threw him out.
35Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”
36“Who is he, sir?” the man asked. “Tell me so that I may believe in him.”
37Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.”
38Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.
39Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.”
40Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, “What? Are we blind too?”
41Jesus said, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.
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.