And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.
And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?
Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.
I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay,
And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.
The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged?
Some said, This is he: others said, He is like him: but he said, I am he.
Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened?
He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight.
Then said they unto him, Where is he? He said, I know not.
They brought to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind.
And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes.
Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see.
Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them.
They say unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, that he hath opened thine eyes? He said, He is a prophet.
But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight.
And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? how then doth he now see?
His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind:
But by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself.
These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.
Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him.
Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner.
He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.
Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes?
He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples?
Then they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are Moses’ disciples.
We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is.
The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes.
Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.
Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind.
If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.
They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.
Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God?
He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?
And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee.
And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.
And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.
And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also?
Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.
John 9 presents a powerful narrative of healing and spiritual revelation, heightening the tension between Jesus and the religious leaders. This chapter is not merely a story of physical healing, but a profound exploration of spiritual sight and blindness, faith and unbelief, and the very identity of Jesus as the Messiah, the Light of the World.
Context: Confrontation and Revelation
Jesus had already begun to challenge the religious establishment, engaging in heated debates and confronting their hypocrisy. John 8 culminates in an attempted stoning after Jesus declares His pre-existence. John 9 continues this trajectory, showcasing Jesus' deliberate actions that expose the shallowness and prejudice of the Jerusalem leaders. This chapter serves as a prelude to John 10, where Jesus delivers crucial teachings about His role as the Good Shepherd, further contrasting His leadership with that of the Pharisees.
The Man Born Blind (John 9:1-5)
The chapter opens with Jesus and His disciples encountering a man blind from birth (John 9:1). The disciples, reflecting the common worldview of the time, immediately assume the man's blindness is a direct consequence of sin, either his own or his parents' (John 9:2). This belief, while prevalent, is challenged by Jesus' response: "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed through him" (John 9:3).
Jesus' statement is revolutionary. He reframes suffering, not always as a direct punishment for sin, but as an opportunity for God's power and glory to be revealed. This doesn't negate the reality that our choices have consequences, but it acknowledges that hardship can occur even in the lives of the innocent, serving a higher purpose in God's grand design. As Tony Evans notes, "Sickness, disease, and defect are not necessarily the result of personal sin...Sometimes God allows negative conditions and circumstances in our lives in order to accomplish positive goals: our good, his glory, and bringing benefit to others." Consider the story of Job, a righteous man who suffered greatly, not because of his sin, but to demonstrate his unwavering faith and God's ultimate sovereignty.
Jesus declares, "As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world" (John 9:4-5). He identifies Himself as the Light, come to dispel darkness and perform the works of God.
The Healing and its Significance (John 9:6-7)
Jesus heals the man by making mud with His saliva and applying it to the man's eyes. He then instructs him to wash in the Pool of Siloam (John 9:6-7). This act is rich in symbolism. The use of saliva, perhaps representing divine DNA, mixed with the earth (from which humanity was created - Genesis 2:7), suggests a supernatural transformation of the man's very being. As Tony Evans puts it, "Thus the word of God (i.e., spit from Jesus’s mouth) mixed with humanity (i.e., dirt from which man was created) provided the basis for the miracle...Jesus was imparting divine DNA to the human defect in order to bring about a supernatural transformation of his humanity."
The act of washing in the Pool of Siloam represents an act of faith and obedience on the man's part. He is given a task to perform, and by carrying it out, he participates in his own healing. This highlights the importance of our response to God's grace; we must be willing to act on faith to receive His blessings. The result is immediate and transformative: the man, who had never seen, now has sight.
This healing is also a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah (Isaiah 29:18, Isaiah 35:5, Isaiah 42:7). Giving sight to the blind was a sign of the promised Messiah, and Jesus is the only one in Scripture credited with performing such miracles. This not only validates His identity but also symbolizes the unique way in which He grants spiritual understanding and truth (Matthew 11:5, Matthew 12:22-23).
Controversy and Interrogation (John 9:8-34)
The healed man's newfound sight causes a stir in the community. His neighbors are skeptical, questioning whether he is truly the same man who was once blind (John 9:8-9). The man boldly proclaims, "I am the man!" (John 9:9), a simple yet powerful declaration of his transformed reality.
The Pharisees, upon hearing of the miracle, are less interested in celebrating the man's healing and more concerned with the fact that it occurred on the Sabbath (John 9:14). They had previously clashed with Jesus over Sabbath healings (John 5:1-19), revealing their rigid adherence to tradition over compassion and genuine faith. Their reaction exposes their priorities: they value their own interpretation of religious law more than the well-being of a fellow human being.
The Pharisees interrogate the man, seeking to discredit Jesus and the miracle. They even question the man's parents, who, fearing excommunication from the synagogue, deflect responsibility and urge them to question their son (John 9:20-23). This highlights the pressure and fear that many faced when considering whether to acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah. As Tony Evans observes, "Nothing much has changed today. If you publicly confess Christ, you will likely experience some form of ridicule or ostracism. Believing in a generic “God” is safe; confessing Christ will earn you mockery."
The healed man, however, stands firm in his testimony. When the Pharisees try to convince him that Jesus is a sinner, he responds with remarkable clarity and logic: "Whether he is a sinner or not, I don't know. One thing I do know: I was blind, and now I see!" (John 9:25). He focuses on the undeniable reality of his own experience.
His persistent testimony and simple logic infuriate the Pharisees. They resort to insults and ultimately cast him out of the synagogue (John 9:34). This act of expulsion demonstrates their rejection of the truth and their determination to silence any dissenting voices.
Jesus Reveals Himself (John 9:35-41)
After the man is cast out, Jesus seeks him out (John 9:35). Knowing the man has been persecuted for his testimony, Jesus demonstrates His care and compassion. He asks the man, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" (John 9:35). The man, still unaware of Jesus' identity, asks, "Who is he, sir? Tell me so that I may believe in him" (John 9:36).
Jesus then reveals Himself: "You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you" (John 9:37). The man's response is immediate and profound: "Lord, I believe," and he worshiped him (John 9:38). This act of worship is a recognition of Jesus' divine nature. As John states in John 1:1, "The Word was God." Accepting worship was a clear declaration of deity.
Jesus then uses this encounter to teach a deeper spiritual truth: "For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind" (John 9:39). He clarifies that He came to bring spiritual sight to those who acknowledge their need for it, while those who claim to already "see" will be exposed in their spiritual blindness.
The Pharisees, overhearing this, ask, "What? Are we blind too?" (John 9:40). Jesus responds, "If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains" (John 9:41). Their refusal to acknowledge their spiritual blindness prevents them from receiving God's grace. Their treatment of Jesus, the Son of God, confirms their lack of spiritual sight. As Tony Evans points out, "Humility brings sight; pride leads to darkness."
Conclusion
John 9 is a powerful reminder that true sight is not merely physical, but spiritual. It is the ability to recognize Jesus as the Messiah, the Light of the World, and to embrace Him with faith and worship. The Pharisees, in their pride and adherence to tradition, chose to remain blind, rejecting the very one who could have given them sight. The man born blind, on the other hand, embraced the truth, received his sight, and worshiped Jesus. His story serves as an encouragement to us to humbly acknowledge our spiritual needs and to turn to Jesus, the only one who can open our eyes to see the truth.
And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.
And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?
Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.
I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay,
And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.
The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged?
Some said, This is he: others said, He is like him: but he said, I am he.
Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened?
He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight.
Then said they unto him, Where is he? He said, I know not.
They brought to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind.
And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes.
Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see.
Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them.
They say unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, that he hath opened thine eyes? He said, He is a prophet.
But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight.
And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? how then doth he now see?
His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind:
But by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself.
These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.
Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him.
Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner.
He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.
Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes?
He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples?
Then they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are Moses’ disciples.
We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is.
The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes.
Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.
Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind.
If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.
They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.
Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God?
He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?
And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee.
And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.
And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.
And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also?
Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.
John 9 presents a powerful narrative of healing and spiritual revelation, heightening the tension between Jesus and the religious leaders. This chapter is not merely a story of physical healing, but a profound exploration of spiritual sight and blindness, faith and unbelief, and the very identity of Jesus as the Messiah, the Light of the World.
Context: Confrontation and Revelation
Jesus had already begun to challenge the religious establishment, engaging in heated debates and confronting their hypocrisy. John 8 culminates in an attempted stoning after Jesus declares His pre-existence. John 9 continues this trajectory, showcasing Jesus' deliberate actions that expose the shallowness and prejudice of the Jerusalem leaders. This chapter serves as a prelude to John 10, where Jesus delivers crucial teachings about His role as the Good Shepherd, further contrasting His leadership with that of the Pharisees.
The Man Born Blind (John 9:1-5)
The chapter opens with Jesus and His disciples encountering a man blind from birth (John 9:1). The disciples, reflecting the common worldview of the time, immediately assume the man's blindness is a direct consequence of sin, either his own or his parents' (John 9:2). This belief, while prevalent, is challenged by Jesus' response: "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed through him" (John 9:3).
Jesus' statement is revolutionary. He reframes suffering, not always as a direct punishment for sin, but as an opportunity for God's power and glory to be revealed. This doesn't negate the reality that our choices have consequences, but it acknowledges that hardship can occur even in the lives of the innocent, serving a higher purpose in God's grand design. As Tony Evans notes, "Sickness, disease, and defect are not necessarily the result of personal sin...Sometimes God allows negative conditions and circumstances in our lives in order to accomplish positive goals: our good, his glory, and bringing benefit to others." Consider the story of Job, a righteous man who suffered greatly, not because of his sin, but to demonstrate his unwavering faith and God's ultimate sovereignty.
Jesus declares, "As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world" (John 9:4-5). He identifies Himself as the Light, come to dispel darkness and perform the works of God.
The Healing and its Significance (John 9:6-7)
Jesus heals the man by making mud with His saliva and applying it to the man's eyes. He then instructs him to wash in the Pool of Siloam (John 9:6-7). This act is rich in symbolism. The use of saliva, perhaps representing divine DNA, mixed with the earth (from which humanity was created - Genesis 2:7), suggests a supernatural transformation of the man's very being. As Tony Evans puts it, "Thus the word of God (i.e., spit from Jesus’s mouth) mixed with humanity (i.e., dirt from which man was created) provided the basis for the miracle...Jesus was imparting divine DNA to the human defect in order to bring about a supernatural transformation of his humanity."
The act of washing in the Pool of Siloam represents an act of faith and obedience on the man's part. He is given a task to perform, and by carrying it out, he participates in his own healing. This highlights the importance of our response to God's grace; we must be willing to act on faith to receive His blessings. The result is immediate and transformative: the man, who had never seen, now has sight.
This healing is also a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah (Isaiah 29:18, Isaiah 35:5, Isaiah 42:7). Giving sight to the blind was a sign of the promised Messiah, and Jesus is the only one in Scripture credited with performing such miracles. This not only validates His identity but also symbolizes the unique way in which He grants spiritual understanding and truth (Matthew 11:5, Matthew 12:22-23).
Controversy and Interrogation (John 9:8-34)
The healed man's newfound sight causes a stir in the community. His neighbors are skeptical, questioning whether he is truly the same man who was once blind (John 9:8-9). The man boldly proclaims, "I am the man!" (John 9:9), a simple yet powerful declaration of his transformed reality.
The Pharisees, upon hearing of the miracle, are less interested in celebrating the man's healing and more concerned with the fact that it occurred on the Sabbath (John 9:14). They had previously clashed with Jesus over Sabbath healings (John 5:1-19), revealing their rigid adherence to tradition over compassion and genuine faith. Their reaction exposes their priorities: they value their own interpretation of religious law more than the well-being of a fellow human being.
The Pharisees interrogate the man, seeking to discredit Jesus and the miracle. They even question the man's parents, who, fearing excommunication from the synagogue, deflect responsibility and urge them to question their son (John 9:20-23). This highlights the pressure and fear that many faced when considering whether to acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah. As Tony Evans observes, "Nothing much has changed today. If you publicly confess Christ, you will likely experience some form of ridicule or ostracism. Believing in a generic “God” is safe; confessing Christ will earn you mockery."
The healed man, however, stands firm in his testimony. When the Pharisees try to convince him that Jesus is a sinner, he responds with remarkable clarity and logic: "Whether he is a sinner or not, I don't know. One thing I do know: I was blind, and now I see!" (John 9:25). He focuses on the undeniable reality of his own experience.
His persistent testimony and simple logic infuriate the Pharisees. They resort to insults and ultimately cast him out of the synagogue (John 9:34). This act of expulsion demonstrates their rejection of the truth and their determination to silence any dissenting voices.
Jesus Reveals Himself (John 9:35-41)
After the man is cast out, Jesus seeks him out (John 9:35). Knowing the man has been persecuted for his testimony, Jesus demonstrates His care and compassion. He asks the man, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" (John 9:35). The man, still unaware of Jesus' identity, asks, "Who is he, sir? Tell me so that I may believe in him" (John 9:36).
Jesus then reveals Himself: "You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you" (John 9:37). The man's response is immediate and profound: "Lord, I believe," and he worshiped him (John 9:38). This act of worship is a recognition of Jesus' divine nature. As John states in John 1:1, "The Word was God." Accepting worship was a clear declaration of deity.
Jesus then uses this encounter to teach a deeper spiritual truth: "For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind" (John 9:39). He clarifies that He came to bring spiritual sight to those who acknowledge their need for it, while those who claim to already "see" will be exposed in their spiritual blindness.
The Pharisees, overhearing this, ask, "What? Are we blind too?" (John 9:40). Jesus responds, "If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains" (John 9:41). Their refusal to acknowledge their spiritual blindness prevents them from receiving God's grace. Their treatment of Jesus, the Son of God, confirms their lack of spiritual sight. As Tony Evans points out, "Humility brings sight; pride leads to darkness."
Conclusion
John 9 is a powerful reminder that true sight is not merely physical, but spiritual. It is the ability to recognize Jesus as the Messiah, the Light of the World, and to embrace Him with faith and worship. The Pharisees, in their pride and adherence to tradition, chose to remain blind, rejecting the very one who could have given them sight. The man born blind, on the other hand, embraced the truth, received his sight, and worshiped Jesus. His story serves as an encouragement to us to humbly acknowledge our spiritual needs and to turn to Jesus, the only one who can open our eyes to see the truth.