‏ John 9

Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind

This section tells the story of Jesus healing a man who had been blind from birth. The miracle leads to questions from the disciples, the amazement of the people, and the anger of the Pharisees. Through this event, Jesus shows his power, corrects misunderstandings about suffering, and teaches spiritual lessons about light, sin, and faith.

v. 1: As Jesus walked along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth (John 9:1 ^a). This man had never seen the world or the people around him. His condition was well known, so people could not doubt the reality of the miracle that was about to happen. Jesus noticed him, even though others may have passed him by. This shows Jesus’ compassion and attention to those in need.

v. 2: The disciples asked Jesus, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” (John 9:2 ^b). They thought that suffering was always caused by someone’s sin. Some Jews believed that a child could suffer for the sins of the parents, or even for sins done before birth. The disciples wanted to understand why such suffering happened.

v. 3: Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him” (John 9:3 ^c). Jesus explained that the man’s blindness was not a punishment, but an opportunity for God’s power and mercy to be shown. Suffering is not always caused by personal sin; sometimes God allows it for a greater purpose.

v. 4: Jesus said, “We must do the works of him who sent me while it is day. Night is coming, when no one can work” (John 9:4 ^d). Jesus reminded his disciples that there is only a short time to do God’s work. He knew his time on earth was limited, so he used every opportunity to help others and bring glory to God. We should also make the most of our time to serve God.

v. 5: Jesus continued, “While I am in the world, I am the light of the world” (John 9:5 ^e). Jesus is the source of spiritual light and truth. He came to show people the way to God and to bring hope in the darkness. Healing the blind man was a sign that Jesus brings both physical and spiritual light.

v. 6: After saying this, Jesus spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes (John 9:6 ^f). Jesus used a simple and humble method to heal the man. He could have healed him with just a word, but he chose to use mud and touch. This reminds us that God can use ordinary things to do extraordinary miracles.

v. 7: Jesus told the man, “Go, wash in the Pool of Siloam” (which means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing (John 9:7 ^g). The man obeyed Jesus, even though it might have seemed strange. When he washed his eyes, his sight was restored for the first time in his life. His obedience and faith were rewarded with a miracle.

Sight Given to One Born Blind

This section tells the story of Jesus healing a man who had been blind from birth. The miracle was so amazing that it became the talk of the town. People debated whether the man was really the same person who used to beg, and how such a thing could happen. The story shows how God’s works can surprise people and lead to questions and discussions about faith.

v. 8: The neighbors and people who had seen the blind man begging were shocked to see him with his sight. They asked, “Is not this he that sat and begged?” The man had been a common beggar because he could not work. His situation made the miracle even more public and undeniable. God sometimes chooses to help those who are most needy and visible, so that his power can be clearly seen. The neighbors’ question shows their amazement and confusion at the change in the man’s condition (John 9:8); .

v. 9: Some people said, “This is he,” while others doubted and said, “He is like him.” They could not believe that someone born blind could suddenly see. This shows how hard it can be for people to accept a great change, even when it is right in front of them. God’s grace can change people so much that others hardly recognize them. The man himself confirmed, “I am the man,” showing his honesty and the reality of the miracle .

v. 10: The people then asked the man, “How were your eyes opened?” They wanted to know how such a miracle could happen. It is good to ask about God’s works, because understanding them can help us see how wonderful God is (Psalm 111:2 ^h).

v. 11: The man answered simply, “A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed my eyes, and said to me, ‘Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash.’ So I went and washed, and I received sight.” He gave a clear and honest account of what happened. When God does something special for us, we should be ready to share our story for his glory and to help others (Psalm 34:4-6 ⁱ).

v. 12: The people then asked, “Where is he?” Some were curious, some maybe wanted to accuse Jesus, and others perhaps wanted to meet him. The man replied, “I do not know.” Jesus had left after healing him, so the man had not even seen Jesus with his new eyes. Sometimes, when God changes us, we do not fully understand how it happened, but we know the result is real.

The Pharisees Investigate the Healing of the Man Born Blind

This section follows the healing of the man who was born blind by Jesus. The man’s neighbors and others who knew him brought him to the Pharisees, the religious leaders, because they wanted an explanation for the miracle. The Pharisees questioned both the man and his parents, trying to find out how he was healed and whether Jesus had broken the Sabbath. The story shows the growing conflict between Jesus and the religious authorities, and highlights the man’s growing faith and courage as he stands up for Jesus.

v. 13: The people who saw the blind man healed brought him to the Pharisees (John 9:13 ^j). They wanted the religious leaders to decide what had happened. This shows that the Pharisees had a lot of influence over the people, and that miracles like this were often brought to their attention for judgment.

v. 14: The day when Jesus made the mud and opened the man’s eyes was a Sabbath (John 9:14 ^k). This detail is important because the Pharisees were very strict about what could or could not be done on the Sabbath. Healing someone, or making mud, could be considered as “work,” which was not allowed according to their rules.

v. 15: The Pharisees asked the man how he received his sight. He told them, “He put mud on my eyes, I washed, and now I see” (John 9:15 ^l). The man simply explained what Jesus did for him. He did not try to add anything or leave anything out, showing honesty and clarity.

v. 16: Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” But others asked, “How can a sinner perform such signs?” So there was a division among them (John 9:16 ^m). Some Pharisees focused on their rules and said Jesus must be a sinner for breaking the Sabbath. Others wondered how someone who was a sinner could do such amazing miracles. This shows that people were divided about who Jesus was.

v. 17: Then they asked the healed man, “What do you say about him, since he opened your eyes?” The man replied, “He is a prophet” (John 9:17 ⁿ). The man who had been blind did not know everything about Jesus, but he was willing to say what he believed. He gave Jesus honor and said he must be a prophet sent by God.

v. 18: The Jewish leaders still did not believe that the man had been blind and received his sight until they sent for his parents (John 9:18 ^o). They doubted the miracle and wanted to make sure that this man really was the one who had been blind from birth.

v. 19: The Pharisees questioned the parents: “Is this your son, the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see?” . They wanted to know if this was true, and how the healing had taken place.

v. 20: The parents answered, “We know he is our son, and we know he was born blind” . The parents confirmed the basic facts—they recognized their son, and they knew that he had always been blind.

v. 21: “But how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don’t know. Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself” (John 9:21 ^p). The parents did not want to get involved in the controversy. They were afraid, so they said their son was old enough to answer for himself.

v. 22: The parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who had already decided that anyone who said Jesus was the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue (John 9:22 ^q). Being expelled from the synagogue was a serious punishment in Jewish society. The parents did not want to get into trouble, so they avoided saying too much.

v. 23: That is why the parents said, “He is of age; ask him” (John 9:23 ^r). They repeated that their son could speak for himself, showing they did not want to be caught in the conflict between Jesus and the religious leaders.

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Christ's Address to the Man that Had Been Blind

This section shows Jesus’ care for the man who had been healed of blindness. After the man was cast out by the religious leaders for defending Jesus, Jesus found him and encouraged him. The story teaches us that Jesus never forgets those who stand up for him, and he gives greater understanding to those who are faithful with what they know.

v. 35: When Jesus heard that the man had been thrown out by the Pharisees, he went to find him. Jesus wanted to comfort and encourage him because he had bravely spoken up for Jesus. This shows that Jesus always stands by those who stand up for him, even when others reject them. People may exclude us, but they cannot keep us from Jesus’ love and presence.

v. 36: Jesus asked the man, “Do you believe in the Son of God?” Jesus wanted to know if the man trusted in the promised Messiah. The title “Son of God” was used in the Old Testament for the Messiah (Psalm 2:7 ^s). Believing in Jesus as the Son of God is the most important question for everyone (1 John 3:23 ^t).

v. 37: The man replied, “Who is he, Lord, that I may believe in him?” He was eager to know and believe in the Messiah, but he needed someone to show him who the Son of God was. This teaches us that people need to hear about Jesus before they can believe in him (John 20:31 ^u).

v. 38: Jesus said, “You have both seen him, and it is he who is talking with you.” Jesus revealed himself directly to the man as the Son of God. This was a special moment, as Jesus did not often reveal himself so clearly. The man was blessed not only to see Jesus with his eyes, but also to hear him speak. The greatest purpose of spiritual sight is to see and know Jesus (2 Corinthians 4:6 ^v).

Christ's Address to the Pharisees

After comforting the man who had been healed from blindness, Jesus now turns to challenge the Pharisees who opposed him. Jesus explains the true reason for his coming—to bring spiritual judgment and show who is truly able to see and who is spiritually blind. This moment shows that some people receive light and life from Christ, while others, because of pride, remain in darkness.

v. 39: Jesus declared, “For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind” . Jesus came to reveal people’s true spiritual condition. He gives sight to those who know they need help, but those who think they have all the answers may become spiritually blind. The coming of Christ changes everything, bringing new blessings to some and exposing the proud hearts of others (Isaiah 61:1; Ezekiel 34:17 ^w).

The man responded with faith and worship. He said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshipped Jesus. This shows true faith—trusting in Jesus and giving him honor as God. When we believe in Jesus, it is natural to worship him and follow him. The man who was once blind became a true disciple of Jesus.

v. 40: Some Pharisees who were with Jesus heard these words and asked, “Are we blind also?” They were proud of their religious knowledge and could not believe that Jesus was talking about them. People who are respected for their wisdom often find it hard to accept correction or admit their own faults (Luke 11:45 ^x).

v. 41: Jesus replied, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, ‘We see.’ Therefore your sin remains.” If the Pharisees were truly ignorant, their guilt would be less. But because they claimed to see and know the truth, their pride kept them from accepting Jesus. The worst kind of blindness is thinking we do not need help. Those who are self-confident and refuse to admit their need will remain in their sin, while those who humbly seek Jesus receive forgiveness and true sight (Proverbs 26:12 ^y).