John 9

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.

What does John 9:37 mean?

Explanation

In this verse from the Gospel of John, Jesus confirms His identity to a man He has just healed from blindness.

The man, after being questioned by the Pharisees and ultimately cast out because of his defense of Jesus, encounters Christ again.

Jesus reveals to him not only that he has seen the Son of Man but that He, Jesus, is the very person speaking with him.

Here, Jesus solidifies His claim to be the Messiah and God incarnate, making it clear to the healed man that he has not only regained physical sight but has also gained spiritual insight into the identity of Jesus.

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Historical Context

The Gospel of John was written approximately between 90 AD and 110 AD and is considered by scholars to be the last of the four canonical gospels.

It was composed during a time when the Christian community was under persecution and was beginning to separate from Judaism.

The context of this verse is that Jesus had healed a man who was blind from birth, an act that aroused suspicion and investigation by the Pharisees, who questioned the healed man.

This event took place in Jerusalem and reflects the Gospel's central theme of Jesus as the Light of the World, a title He uses for Himself in the same chapter (John 9:5).

Theological Insights

This verse offers various theological insights:

The nature of Christ as both fully divine and fully human is emphasized.

Jesus presents Himself as one who can be seen and interacts physically with people, yet He also claims a spiritual role as the bringer of divine revelation.

The theme of spiritual blindness and sight is highlighted.

The man who was physically blind can now see and also perceives who Jesus truly is, while the Pharisees, who can see physically, are depicted as spiritually blind to Jesus' messianic identity.

The verse underscores Jesus' role in salvation history.

Jesus declares Himself to be the one through whom a true understanding and relationship with God is established.

Practical Applications

In a practical sense, this verse reminds believers of the importance of recognizing Jesus in their daily lives and the encounters they have with Him through prayer, scripture, and community.

It encourages individuals to seek both physical and spiritual vision, to not only look at circumstances at face value but to seek the deeper spiritual truths.

For those who face rejection as the blind man did, Jesus' affirmation and self-revelation provide comfort and assurance of His presence and understanding.

Cross-References

John 9:5: "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."
John 8:12: "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."
John 10:30: "I and my Father are one."
John 14:9: "Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?"

Language Study

The original Greek in this verse contains the phrase "καὶ τὸν λαλοῦντά σοι" (kai ton lalounta soi), which translates as "and He who is speaking with you." The word "λαλοῦντά" (lalounta) means speaking or talking, illustrating direct verbal communication.

The significance lies in the immediacy and personal nature of the communication Jesus is having with the man.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In various ancient myths and religions, there are figures that bring enlightenment or divine revelation.

For example, in Greek mythology, Tiresias was a blind prophet who, though physically blind, could see spiritual truths.

In this cultural context, Jesus presenting Himself as the source of both physical and spiritual insight reflects a common theme in religious narratives but is uniquely centered on His identity as the promised Messiah and Son of God in the biblical tradition.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern scientific understandings relate to the healing of blindness and perception.

While science acknowledges the physical process of seeing, it has limited commentary on spiritual sight.

The metaphor of blindness used in the Bible can be paralleled with psychological phenomena, such as cognitive dissonance, where a person rejects new information that conflicts with their existing beliefs, similar to how the Pharisees dismissed Jesus' miracle and teaching.

Commentaries

Commentaries by scholars and theologians generally converge on the significance of this verse in revealing Christ's divinity and the motif of spiritual enlightenment:

Matthew Henry’s Commentary notes that here is "an instance of Christ's grace; no sooner was he turned out of the synagogue than the Lord Jesus finds him."
The MacArthur Study Bible emphasizes Jesus’ self-revelation as the “Son of Man” and the spiritual sight given to the man in believing in Jesus.
The Pulpit Commentary highlights the divine commission of Jesus, stating that this passage is "one of the many examples where our Lord made the first advances to souls that were needing him."

These commentaries collectively affirm the spiritual depth of the healing miracle and the interplay between physical and spiritual sight present in this passage.

John 9

John 9

What does John 9:37 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does John 9:37 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?