John 9
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1As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3Jesus answered, “Neither did this man sin, nor his parents; but, that the works of God might 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. 5While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6When he had said this, he spat on the ground, made mud with the saliva, anointed the blind man’s eyes with the mud, 7and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means “Sent”). So he went away, washed, and came back seeing. 8The neighbors therefore, and those who saw that he was blind before, said, “Isn’t this he who sat and begged?” 9Others were saying, “It is he.” Still others were saying, “He looks like him.” He said, “I am he.” 10They therefore were asking him, “How were your eyes opened?” 11He answered, “A man called Jesus made mud, anointed my eyes, and said to me, ‘Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash.’ So I went away and washed, and I received sight.” 12Then they asked him, “Where is he?” He said, “I don’t know.” 13They brought him who had been blind to the Pharisees. 14It was a Sabbath when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes. 15Again therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he received his sight. He said to them, “He put mud on my eyes, I washed, and I see.” 16Some therefore of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, because he doesn’t keep the Sabbath.” Others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” There was division among them. 17Therefore they asked the blind man again, “What do you say about him, because he opened your eyes?” 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 who had received his sight, 19and asked them, “Is this your son, whom you say was born blind? How then does he now see?” 20His parents answered them, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; 21but how he now sees, we don’t know; or who opened his eyes, we don’t 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 already agreed that if any man would confess him as Christ, he would be put out of the synagogue. 23Therefore his parents said, “He is of age. Ask him.” 24So they called the man who was blind a second time, and said to him, “Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner.” 25He therefore answered, “I don’t know if he is a sinner. One thing I do know: that though I was blind, now I see.” 26They 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 didn’t listen. Why do you want to hear it again? You don’t also want to become his disciples, do you?” 28They insulted him and said, “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. 29We know that God has spoken to Moses. But as for this man, we don’t know where he comes from.” 30The man answered them, “How amazing! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. 31We know that God doesn’t listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God, and does his will, he listens to him. 32Since the world began it has never been heard of that anyone opened the eyes of someone born blind. 33If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” 34They answered him, “You were altogether born in sins, and do you teach us?” They threw him out. 35Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and finding him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of God?” 36He answered, “Who is he, Lord, that I may believe in him?” 37Jesus said to him, “You have both seen him, and it is he who speaks with you.” 38He said, “Lord, I believe!” and he worshiped him. 39Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment, that those who don’t see may see; and that those who see may become blind.” 40Those of the Pharisees who were with him heard these things, and said to him, “Are we also blind?” 41Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, ‘We see.’ Therefore your sin remains.
World English Bible (public domain)
“Jesus said, "For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind."”
John 9:39
Summary
In John chapter 9, Jesus encounters a man who has been blind from birth. Demonstrating his divine authority, Jesus heals the man by making mud with his saliva and instructing him to wash in the Pool of Siloam. The healing sparks controversy among the Pharisees, who question whether Jesus can be a man from God since he healed on the Sabbath. The formerly blind man bravely defends Jesus’ miraculous act, affirming that he was indeed blind but now sees. The religious leaders grow increasingly hostile and eventually expel the man from the synagogue. Later, Jesus finds him and reveals his identity as the Son of Man, leading the man to worship Him. This chapter highlights the theme of spiritual blindness versus spiritual sight, illustrating how the miracle not only restores physical sight but also unveils deeper truths about faith and recognition of Jesus’ divine nature. The contrast between the faith of the healed man and the blindness of the Pharisees invites readers to reflect on their own openness to spiritual truth.
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Chapter outline
How John 9 unfolds
John 9:1–7 Jesus heals the blind man
Jesus encounters a man blind from birth, instructs him to wash in the Pool of Siloam after making mud, and the man receives sight.
John 9:8–12 Neighbors discuss the miracle
The neighbors question if the healed man is truly the blind beggar they knew, and he affirms his identity.
John 9:13–23 Pharisees interrogate the healed man
The Pharisees question the man about his healing, and his parents confirm he was born blind, fearing expulsion from the synagogue.
John 9:24–34 The blind man's defense
The man defends Jesus against the Pharisees’ claims, emphasizing the miraculous nature of his healing and asserting Jesus must be from God.
John 9:35–41 Jesus reveals his identity
Jesus finds the healed man and reveals himself as the Son of God, leading the man to worship him, while Jesus critiques the Pharisees.
Key verses
John 9:39John 9:39 encapsulates the chapter's message about spiritual sight and blindness, emphasizing the transformative impact of recognizing Jesus.
Main themes in John 9
Spiritual blindness and sight
The theme of spiritual blindness and sight appears when the healed man recognizes Jesus while the Pharisees remain blind to his identity. Their refusal to accept Jesus' authority illustrates a deeper spiritual blindness despite their religious status. This contrast emphasizes the chapter's larger movement from physical healing to spiritual revelation.
The nature of true worship
The nature of true worship is prominently illustrated in John 9 when the man who was healed worships Jesus after acknowledging him as the Son of God in verse 38. This moment is significant as it stands in stark contrast to the attitudes of the Pharisees, who refuse to recognize Jesus and thus miss the essence of true worship. The chapter challenges readers to examine their own understanding of worship and what it means to fully acknowledge and honor Jesus.
Sabbath and divine authority
The Sabbath controversy arises as the miracle occurs on this holy day, raising questions about Jesus' authority. While the Pharisees view Jesus' actions as a violation, the healing highlights his divine authority over the Sabbath. This sets the stage for a broader discussion on the relationship between law and grace.
Faith and testimony
Faith and testimony play a crucial role in John 9, particularly as the healed man courageously shares his experience with the Pharisees, despite their opposition, as seen in verse 25. His journey from experiencing a miraculous healing to recognizing Jesus' true identity illustrates a deepening faith that contrasts sharply with the persistent unbelief of the religious leaders. This narrative encourages readers to consider the importance of their own testimonies of faith and how they respond to the truth of Jesus.
Cross-references
Passages that echo John 9
- John 11Both passages illustrate Jesus' miraculous powers and the resulting belief and opposition he faces.
- John 12This chapter connects to the theme of belief in Jesus as the light in a dark world.
- John 8The discussion of spiritual blindness in this chapter echoes Jesus' earlier teachings about true sight and understanding.
- John 5Both passages feature Jesus performing healings that provoke conflict with religious authorities over the Sabbath.
- Ephesians 5This chapter connects by contrasting light and darkness, mirroring themes of spiritual insight and blindness.
- John 7The division among the people regarding Jesus' identity in this chapter connects to earlier debates about his authority.
Study questions
Questions for studying John 9
- What was the significance of the Pool of Siloam in the healing story?
- How did the blind man's understanding of Jesus evolve throughout the chapter?
- What reasons did the Pharisees give for rejecting Jesus' authority?
- How did the parents' fear influence their testimony about their son?
- What does the chapter suggest about the relationship between physical and spiritual sight?
- In what ways does the healed man demonstrate faith in this chapter?
- What role does the Sabbath play in the conflict with the Pharisees?
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