John 9NKJV
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John9

New King James Version

1Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth.

2And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

3Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.

4I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.

5As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

6When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay.

7And He said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which is translated, Sent). So he went and washed, and came back seeing.

8Therefore the neighbors and those who previously had seen that he was blind said, “Is not this he who sat and begged?”

9Some said, “This is he.” Others said, “He is like him.” He said, “I am he.”

10Therefore they said to him, “How were your eyes opened?”

11He answered and said, “A Man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and said to me, ‘Go to the pool of Siloam and wash.’ So I went and washed, and I received sight.”

12Then they said to him, “Where is He?” He said, “I do not know.”

13They brought him who formerly was blind to the Pharisees.

14Now it was a Sabbath when Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes.

15Then the Pharisees also asked him again how he had received his sight. He said to them, “He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and I see.”

16Therefore some of the Pharisees said, “This Man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath.” Others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” And there was a division among them.

17They said to the blind man again, “What do you say about Him because He opened your eyes?” He said, “He is a prophet.”

18But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind and received his sight, until they called the parents of him who had received his sight.

19And they asked them, saying, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?”

20His parents answered them and said, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind;

21but by what means he now sees we do not know, or who opened his eyes we do not know. He is of age; ask him. He will speak for himself.”

22His parents said these things because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had agreed already that if anyone confessed that He was Christ, he would be put out of the synagogue.

23Therefore his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.”

24So they again called the man who was blind, and said to him, “Give God the glory! We know that this Man is a sinner.”

25He answered and said, “Whether He is a sinner or not I do not know. One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see.”

26Then they said to him again, “What did He do to you? How did He open your eyes?”

27He answered them, “I told you already, and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become His disciples?”

28Then they reviled him and said, “You are His disciple, but we are Moses’ disciples.

29We know that God spoke to Moses; as for this fellow, we do not know where He is from.”

30The man answered and said to them, “Why, this is a marvelous thing, that you do not know where He is from; yet He has opened my eyes!

31Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him.

32Since the world began it has been unheard of that anyone opened the eyes of one who was born blind.

33If this Man were not from God, He could do nothing.”

34They answered and said to him, “You were completely born in sins, and are you teaching us?” And they cast him out.

35Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He had found him, He said to him, “Do you believe in the Son of God?”

36He answered and said, “Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?”

37And Jesus said to him, “You have both seen Him and it is He who is talking with you.”

38Then he said, “Lord, I believe!” And he worshiped Him.

39And Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind.”

40Then some of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these words, and said to Him, “Are we blind also?”

41Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, ‘We see.’ Therefore your sin remains.

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for John 9.

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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.

Cross References

John 9
v7Isaiah 8:6thematic

Siloam's waters symbolize the quiet, sent stream of God's presence, contrasting with proud worldly powers.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v72 Kings 5:10-14typology

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

v5John 8:12thematic

Jesus declares Himself the Light of the World, giving spiritual sight to those in darkness.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v22Proverbs 29:25thematic

The parents' fear of excommunication exemplifies how the fear of man brings a dangerous snare.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v21 Peter 4:17thematic

Reflects the principle that judgment often begins with God's house, though not always as punitive.

Supported by John Calvin

v4John 17:4thematic

Jesus is entirely consumed with finishing the work assigned to Him by the Father on earth.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v7Nehemiah 3:15thematic

Historical identification of the Pool of Siloam, proving the physical reality of the site.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v14John 5:9thematic

Jesus deliberately heals on the Sabbath, directly challenging the Pharisees' traditional and ritualistic restrictions.

Supported by JFB

v22John 12:42thematic

Verbal echo of many Jewish leaders fearing excommunication and loving the praise of men.

Supported by JFB

v1Isaiah 35:5fulfillment

Messianic prophecy fulfilled through Jesus opening the eyes of the blind, showcasing God's manifest power.

v16John 3:2thematic

Echoes the minority Pharisee objection (Nicodemus' view) that a sinner cannot do such divine miracles.

Supported by JFB

v25Ephesians 5:8thematic

Contrasts the absolute spiritual transformation of once being in darkness but now walking in light.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v41John 15:22-24thematic

If they were ignorant, they would have no sin; but willful sight brings remaining guilt.