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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.

Key Themes

Spiritual blindness and sightThe nature of true worshipSabbath and divine authorityFaith and testimony

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John 9: frequently asked questions

What is John 9 about?+
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.
What is the key verse in John 9?+
John 9:39: "Jesus said, "For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind.""
What are the main themes of John 9?+
The main themes of John 9 are Spiritual blindness and sight, The nature of true worship, Sabbath and divine authority, Faith and testimony.

Study Notes