Bible Commentaries
John 9

Verse 1

1.

He saw a man who had been born blind. Blindness was a disaster in that society. One who was born blind would be thought more difficult to heal than one who went blind in later years.

Verse 2

2.

Whose sin was it? They think all such trouble as this, comes as a “judgment” for sin. It is true that we bring many things on ourselves. But read what Jesus said in Luke 13:1-5.

Verse 3

3.

Jesus answered. He states that neither this man’s sins nor his parent’s sins have anything to do with his blindness. Pain and trouble is part of the curse placed on this world (Genesis 3:16-19; Romans 8:20-21). This man’s blindness was part of the Decree by which God rules the Universe. Such men as Job, Paul, Christ himself, and all the martyrs, show us that the one who suffers is not always a “sinner.” Pain and trouble are also part of God’s Plan to bless us (Acts 14:22; 1 Thessalonians 3:3; Revelation 7:14-17). This man’s healing would help to show the power of God.

Verse 4

4.

The night is coming. All work stops when darkness comes. Jesus had a mission to fulfill during the “day” of his human life. That “day” would terminate with his death. So will ours!

Verse 5

5.

I am the light for the world. He opens the blind eyes of both body and spirit! We see Truth, because he gives us light!

Verses 6-7

6–7.

Go wash your face. Christ requires an act of faith. The man must reach out through faith to seize the promise. When he does this, he can see! [The pool is dug in the rock: 53 feet long, 18 feet wide, 19 feet deep, fed by a spring.]

Verse 13

13.

To the Pharisees. This is such an amazing thing, that they take him to the religious authorities.

Verse 14

14.

Was a Sabbath. That is, Saturday. Compare John 5:16-17 and notes.

Verses 15-16

15–16.

Because he does not obey the Sabbath law. Not the Law, but their Tradition. See note on Matthew 15:2.

Verse 17

17.

He is a prophet. He is a “man named Jesus” in John 9:11 : a “prophet” here; and in John 9:38 the formerly blind man declares his faith in Jesus as Lord!

Verse 22

22.

Because they were afraid. They believed what their son had told them, but they say nothing that will cause them trouble with the authorities. The synagogue was the center of Jewish life. To be expelled made you an outcast who had few rights in the community.

Verse 24

24. We know that this man is a sinner. Because he healed on the Sabbath day.

Verse 30

30.

What a strange thing this is! That a man who can open blind eyes would be unknown to the defenders of the faith! It is also strange that a man who was a blind beggar just a few hours before would “teach” the teachers of the Law.

Verse 31

31.

We know that God does not listen to sinners. The Old Testament Scriptures say this (Proverbs 15:29; Isaiah 1:15; Micah 3:4; compare James 5:16-17).

Verse 34

34.

You were born and raised in sin? This is the Jewish answer [their answer] to question in John 9:2. If they can’t dispute what he says, they can expel him, and they do!

Verse 35

35.

Do you believe in the Son of Man? The man is cut off from all that comes through Moses. Jesus offers him all that comes through the Messiah! [Son of Mani this title is used more than 80 times in the New Testament, and it is Jesus who calls himself this (except Acts 7:56; Revelation 1:13). On the meaning of this title, see Luke 22:69-70; John 5:27 and notes there. The Latin Vulgate has “Son of God” here.]

Verses 36-38

36–38. Tell me who he is, sir. The way he asks this shows he thinks knowing the Son of Man is such a privilege that he has no right to hope for it. I believe, Lord! The man had lost the world, but found the Messiah! He acts out his faith by kneeling down before Jesus.

Verse 39

39.

I came to this world to judge. Not as a “judge on the bench,” but to force people to “sort themselves out.” Compare notes on Matthew 11:25; John 6:37. Those who “become blind,” refuse to see Truth.

Verses 40-41

40–41.

You don’t mean that we are blind too? They knew this was what he had implied. If you were blind. That is, “If you were aware of your spiritual blindness and tried to see, you would either find light, or not be held responsible for failing to try.” They could see if they would open their eyes, therefore they were still guilty.