What does John 9:40 mean?

Explanation

John 9:40 presents a situation where some Pharisees, having overheard Jesus speaking about spiritual blindness, question him about their own spiritual state.

The verse occurs within the narrative where Jesus heals a man born blind, which subsequently causes a division among the Pharisees as they question the legitimacy and implications of the miracle.

Jesus speaks metaphorically of blindness, not in the physical sense, but in a spiritual or moral sense.

When the Pharisees ask Jesus, "Are we blind also?" they are likely being defensive or sarcastic because they prided themselves as being spiritual guides and interpreters of the law.

Jesus's teaching suggests that spiritual blindness afflicts those who claim to see yet are closed to deeper truths, particularly those he was revealing.

Historical Context

This verse is set in the context of Second Temple Judaism, a period marked by various Jewish sects, among which the Pharisees were a significant religious and political group.

They were known for their strict adherence to the Torah and the oral traditions.

The Gospel of John is generally dated to the late first century, and it presents several encounters between Jesus and the religious authorities, who often question his authority and teachings.

This particular miracle of healing the blind man is a source of controversy, as it was done on the Sabbath, which the Pharisees considered a violation of the law.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, John 9:40 confronts the concept of spiritual blindness in those who are unwilling to recognize Jesus's divine nature and authority. It highlights the paradox of those who have physical sight but lack insight or understanding.

Theologically, it speaks to themes of pride, self-righteousness, and the human tendency to be spiritually oblivious.

Moreover, it contrasts the Pharisees' blindness with the healed man's growing insight into who Jesus is, as the narrative progresses.

Practical Applications

The teachings of this verse can be applied in daily life by encouraging individuals to self-reflect on their own understandings and biases.

It asks modern readers to consider ways in which they might be spiritually blind to their faults, or to deeper truths.

It serves as a caution against arrogance and the assumption that one's perspective is infallible.

Moreover, it challenges believers to be open to new insights and to recognize the limits of their understanding.

Cross-References

• Matthew 15:14: "Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind.

And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch."

• John 9:41: "Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth."
• Luke 6:39: "And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?"
• Matthew 23:26: "Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also."

Language Study

The key word in the original Greek text is "τυφλοί" (typhloi), which means "blind." In the context of this verse, its application is metaphorical, referring to spiritual or moral blindness rather than physical lack of sight.

The Pharisees' question uses this term to question whether Jesus's statement applies to them as well, revealing a defensive stance to Jesus's implication.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In many ancient cultures, physical blindness often serves as a metaphor for lack of knowledge, wisdom, or moral insight.

For instance, in Greek mythology, the prophet Tiresias is physically blind but possesses spiritual foresight.

Within the Jewish tradition from which this verse arises, spiritual blindness is often associated with a failure to adhere to God's ways or recognize His work.

Scientific Perspectives

From a modern scientific standpoint, this verse would be engaged with more as a piece of literature and an artifact of human culture rather than a statement on physical blindness.

Psychological studies do acknowledge the phenomenon of willful blindness or cognitive dissonance, where individuals fail to see or acknowledge what is evident due to pre-established beliefs or biases.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians have varied interpretations of this verse.

Some, like Matthew Henry, emphasize the irony in the Pharisees’ question – they were ignorant of their own spiritual state, which is indicative of spiritual blindness.

William Barclay notes the danger of the certainty with which the Pharisees approached the Law, which made them unresponsive to the revelation of God through Jesus.

These commentaries universally recognize the tension in the verse between perceived spiritual insight and actual spiritual ignorance.