Bible Commentaries
John 9

Verse 1

John 9:1

John continued in this verse as though Jesus was still moving after disappearing from the view of the temple crowd (John 8:59). However, His disciples seemed able to see Him (John 9:2). Jesus may have been invisible to the Pharisees but not His disciples, or this verse may take place a little while after John 8:59.

Regardless of how the Lord left the temple or how many people could actually perceive his departure, on the way out Jesus noticed the blind man. He had been passing by, as though He planned to continue on His way. When Jesus saw the blind man though, He saw the plan of God concerning the man’s handicap (John 9:3), and He stopped.

Verse 2

John 9:2

The disciples assumed the blindness was a result of punishment for sin, and this line of thinking had a scriptural base (Exodus 20:5, Exodus 34:7, Leviticus 20:5, Numbers 14:18, Numbers 14:33, 1 Samuel 15:2-3, 1 Kings 21:29, Job 21:19, Psalms 109:14, Isaiah 14:21, Jeremiah 32:18). Since the assumption of guilt was presumed, the only question that remained was, “Who is guilty?” However, Jesus pointed out, although heredity does plays a role, our ancestor’s sins aren’t always the prevailing factors (John 9:3). Additionally, Ezekiel 18:20 informed us that our ancestor’s sins will not be held against us, if we are in right-standing with God (see notes on John 7:18).

Verse 3

John 9:3

Sometimes we don’t know why we must suffer the things we are dealing with (see notes on John 5:6). God has His reasons. You may suffer most of your life in some way, but one encounter with Jesus can change everything (John 5:9). In fact, your healingdeliverance may be the very thing that convinces someone else that God is real and kind and active and able to save them as well.

Verse 4

John 9:4

Since part of God, the Father’s, plan while Jesus was on Earth consisted of healing this man for the glory of God (John 9:3), Jesus stopped what He was doing and did what the Father sent Him to do (see notes on John 12:44, John 17:8). He was doing the “works” of God. He was working, even though it was the Sabbath (John 9:14).

Since part of God the Father’s plan while Jesus was on Earth consisted of healing this man for the glory of God (John 9:3), Jesus stopped what He was doing and did what the Father sent Him to do (see notes on John 12:44, John 17:8). He was doing the “works” of God. He was working, even though it was the Sabbath (John 9:14).

Although the Jewish people saw the Sabbath as not a proper time for work, Jesus saw His whole time in ministry as day-time. It is proper to work at day-time, because the world is lit by the sun and we can see (see notes on John 11:9). Jesus is the “light of the world,” and the world was illuminated by the presence of the “son.” We were once in darkness, but now we see! Thanks to the brightness of the Son of God in the world through His Holy Spirit to the glory of God, the Father.

Verse 5

John 9:5

See notes on John 8:12 and John 9:4.

Verse 6

John 9:6

Jesus said that this healing would manifest the works of God (John 9:3). Sometimes the works of God appear messy to us. Sometimes God doesn’t do things as neatly as we would like. Sometimes our healing is proceeded by an even worse condition. However, the whole process serves to anoint our situation with just the right mixture of God-created salve, which He applies at just the right time. His time may not be our time. His way may not be the way we imagined for ourselves.

Verse 7

John 9:7

Of course, who wouldn’t want to wash off their face mud made from spit and dirt as quickly as possible? Imagine the blind man’s distress and confusion. He was begging, which is how he received money. A man passes by. He hears the man stop and, with some other men, talk about the origin of his condition as though he isn’t actually there. The next thing he hears is the man that was answering questions about him spits on the ground (John 9:6). Everyone’s quiet as the blind man hears the other man mixing the dirt and spit. Without warning the man begins smearing the spit-clay into his eyes. Now it’s not like the dirt in the eyes can make him go blind. He already is blind. However, it’s just gross (see notes on John 9:6).

The blind man washes off the mixture, and he comes back healed. He can see! The dirt had been washed away, and a new and better condition had been given to him (2 Corinthians 5:17). He had been blind... now he sees.

Verse 8

John 9:8

Once we have a true encounter with Jesus, our neighbors, and those that know us best, will not be able to miss the change in us. Our old nature will have been cleansed, and we will exhibit a new nature (2 Corinthians 5:17). True believers change. After our conversion, the way we do things will be different than the way we did things (Romans 6:4-6, Ephesians 2:10).

Verse 9

John 9:9

When Jesus changes you, you will look enough like the person you’ve always been, but in other ways you will seem totally different. Those that knew the blind man before now saw a man that looked similar to the man they knew, but this man couldn’t be him. This man can see. How is that possible? Jesus!

As the formally blind man testifies to his neighbors that Jesus changed him (John 9:11), so too we should tell the people that know us that “I am he.” I was blind, but now I see. I am the same person you knew before, but not really the same anymore (Galatians 2:20). Amen!

Verse 10

John 9:10

After you meet Jesus, people will want to know what happened to you. How did you change? What did you do?

Verse 11

John 9:11

Those changed by the power of God should willingly share with anyone that asks that it was Jesus whom made all the difference. This man testified of the events that changed him. After his healing, he had a testimony that declared the goodness and power of Christ.

Verse 12

John 9:12

After we share our testimony about what Jesus has done in our lives, people may want to know how they can find Him also. We need to have an answer. We need to be able to lead them to Christ.

Verse 13

John 9:13

They brought the healed man to the religious leaders of the day (see notes on John 8:3). Without seeking the Lord themselves, the people sought their answers from whom they viewed as God’s representatives. They were wondering how this miracle could be, and was it of God (John 9:16)?

Verse 14

John 9:14

To do a miracle was doing a work, and no one was supposed to being doing any work on the Sabbath (see notes on John 5:10, John 5:12, John 7:22-23, and John 9:4).

Verse 15

John 9:15

The Pharisees (see notes on John 8:3) didn’t sincerely ask about the reported miracle of God’s handiwork in question, but instead were seeking further proof of what they already believed, that is, that Jesus was a Law breaker (see notes on John 5:12) and in league with the devil.

Verse 16

John 9:16

Jesus told us that believing in Him would cause people that were once bound together to sever their ties to one another (Matthew 10:34-36, Luke 12:49-53). John had already shown us this in John 7:12 and John 7:43. Therefore, we shouldn’t be surprised by the division among the people over what Jesus was doing. However, to call Jesus a sinner (see notes on John 5:12) is the height of arrogance and pride and foolishness. Unlike anyone else whom ever lived, Jesus never sinned (2 Corinthians 5:21, Hebrews 4:15, 1 Peter 2:21-24, 1 John 3:5). We know that Jesus performed the miracles through the power of God (Acts 10:38).

Verse 17

John 9:17

If I were blind from birth until a man touched me, and, after His touch I suddenly began to see, why would I not give a good report? Why then do you suppose that the Jewish leadership asked the happy man, in the hour of his miracle, what he thought? In the next verse we see that they didn’t even believe the man was blind in the first place.

Verse 18

John 9:18

It is as though the Jews (see notes on John 1:19) thought that Jesus had previously consorted with the supposed blind man to hoax the people into believing that He is a prophet. As proof of their assumption, they call in the healed man’s parents to testify as to whether he was indeed blind from birth (John 9:19). The extent to which they are willing to go to destroy Jesus’ reputation among the people speaks to both their belief that Jesus is a fake and their fear of His ability to change their way of life (see notes on John 8:37).

Verse 19

John 9:19

They asked the parents as though they too were involved in the plot to deceive the people, “who ye say was born blind.” They asked the parents as though the parents knew how the man now sees, even though they weren’t with him during the miracle.

Verse 20

John 9:20

The parents testified to two things in their statement; they are the man’s parents, and the man in question was indeed blind from birth. They were saying that there was no deception on their part or the part of their son.

Verse 21

John 9:21

In John 9:20, the parents spoke to what they knew was true. In this verse, they admitted though that although their son now was able to see, they hadn’t any idea how the miraculous change occurred. Therefore, they suggested that the Jews (see notes on John 1:19) leave them out of it. It wasn’t as though their son was still a child anyway.

Verse 22

John 9:22

The healed man’s parents obviously had come to believe, through this incredible miracle given to their own son, that the man who performed it must be the Christ. They were concerned that the Jews (see notes on John 1:19) would might ask them if that is what they thought. If they confessed their new faith, they may have been excommunicated (see notes on John 12:42) as the Jews have already threatened the people (John 7:13).

Verse 23

John 9:23

See notes on John 9:21-22.

Verse 24

John 9:24

The Jews (see notes on John 1:19) were essentially saying, “It couldn’t be Jesus that healed you. Don’t go around exalting a sinner (see notes on John 5:12, John 9:16) to the status of a prophet (John 9:17). It is God that healed you... not this man that rubbed mud in your eyes.”

Notice that the Jews gave God the credit for their conclusion. Note how they project humility and essentially said that they wouldn’t have such wisdom and discernment if it hadn’t been granted by the grace and gift of God. Obviously, not everyone that claims to have Spiritual giftings actually has been anointed to walk in such power (Acts 20:29, 2 Corinthians 11:3-4, Galatians 1:7, 1 Timothy 4:1, 1 Timothy 6:3-5, 2 Timothy 3:13, 2 Peter 2:1, 2 John 1:7, Revelation 2:2). Moreover, giving God credit isn’t sufficient reason enough to believe the supposed revelation was God inspired (Jeremiah 29:8-9, Matthew 7:15-16, Matthew 24:4-5, Matthew 24:23-26, Mark 13:21, Luke 21:8, Romans 16:18, 2 Peter 2:1). Test (2 Chronicles 32:31, Job 12:11-12, Lamentations 3:40, Luke 12:57, Romans 16:19, 1 Corinthians 14:29, 1 Thessalonians 5:21) all reported divinations and Spiritual manifestations (1 John 4:1) according to the Holy Spirit within you (Deuteronomy 4:36, Nehemiah 9:20, Romans 1:3-4, 1 Corinthians 3:13, Ephesians 2:2-5, Ephesians 3:16-19, 1 Peter 1:10-12, 1 Peter 4:6, 2 Peter 1:19-21, 1 John 4:5-6) and God’s Holy Word (Psalms 119:9-11, Proverbs 6:23, Isaiah 35:8, Matthew 22:29, Mark 12:24, Acts 17:11, 2 Timothy 3:15-17, 2 Timothy 4:2, 2 John 1:10).

Of course, there are those who are sincere, but sincerely wrong (Isaiah 9:16, Isaiah 28:7, Jeremiah 23:13, Jeremiah 23:32, Hosea 4:12, Micah 3:5). If you discover someone following a lie, pray for them and convert them to the truth (Job 42:8, 2 Timothy 2:25, James 5:14-15, James 5:19-20, 1 John 5:16).

Verse 25

John 9:25

The healed man testified to the only truth that is sure at that point in his mind. “I cannot speak to the condition of Jesus’ heart,” the man is saying, “but I know that Jesus changed me” (see notes on John 9:8-12).

Verse 26

John 9:26

The Pharisees had already asked him the same thing two times (John 9:10, John 9:15).

Verse 27

John 9:27

The healed man stuck to his story and expressed his frustration at receiving the redundant questioning (see notes on John 9:26). Additionally, he teased them with a chiding question, “Do they secretly want to be Jesus’ disciples too?” In his words is a confession that he is now a disciple of Christ.

Verse 28

John 9:28

The Pharisees, recognized the healed man’s confession (John 9:27) and accepted that he was now a disciple of Jesus. However, they denied any association with or belief in Jesus on their part. “As for us,” they were saying, “We follow the teachings of Moses.”

Verse 29

John 9:29

They acknowledged that God was with Moses and God called Moses and God anointed Moses to be a great prophet. However, the Pharisees saw Jesus as just another fellow trying to make a name for Himself. The problem was that this “fellow” had demonstrated the ability to work miracles and perform wonders (Matthew 4:24, Matthew 8:16, Matthew 8:27, Matthew 12:15, Matthew 14:19-27, Mark 4:41, Luke 4:40, Luke 6:19, Luke 8:25, John 2:11, John 2:23, John 3:2, John 6:2, John 7:31, John 9:16, John 21:25, Acts 2:22). They didn’t quite know what to do about their Jesus problem (John 11:47). The correct response would have been to believe in Him (John 12:37).

Verse 30

John 9:30

The man changed by the miraculous power of Christ started preaching. The man that was once blind began to witness to those still walking in darkness (John 1:5, John 8:12, John 12:46, 1 John 1:6). He appealed to the Jews’ (see notes on John 1:19) willingness to accept the goodness of God, seeing that the Lord had anointed Moses (see notes on John 9:29) to do great things on behalf of the people, and asked them to consider that this same God may also have anointed Jesus (Acts 10:38) to do a “marvelous thing” on his behalf.

Verse 31

John 9:31

The healed man knew a little scripture. He had obviously already been made aware that God may choose not to hear the prayers of sinners (Psalms 66:18, Proverbs 15:29, Micah 3:4), but the Lord is attentive to the prayers of the righteous (Psalms 34:15-17, Psalms 145:18-20).

Verse 32

John 9:32

Apparently, not only did the healed man know scripture (see notes on John 9:31), but he also knew enough history to confidently make a cogent argument based in a historical perspective that is supportable enough to ring true. Jesus knows how to pick them.

Verse 33

John 9:33

The healed man presented his closing argument in the debate. Since God hears Jesus and supports Jesus’ ministry with signs and wonders, Jesus must be called by God to do what He was doing. It is the same argument Nicodemus, a ruler and teacher among the Pharisees, made in John 3:2.

Verse 34

John 9:34

The Pharisees accepted the likes of Nicodemus teaching them (see notes on John 9:33), but not this formerly blind beggar. Their intellectual snobbery culminated in throwing the man with no formal education out. “They cast him out” likely meant that they excommunicated him from Jewish worship in the synagogues (see notes on John 9:22). To a Jew, getting cast out was a serious matter. Where could one that was cast out go to worship as a Jew? It would be like being marooned on a deserted island.

Verse 35

John 9:35

The man had been “cast out” (see notes on John 9:34), because he refused to discount Jesus’ hand in the miracle that resulted in his ability to see (John 9:17, John 9:30-33) for the first time in his life (John 9:2, John 9:32). Additionally, his parents had told the Jewish leadership that their son was on his own (John 9:21). It was as though he was suddenly alone in the world. He had been healed, but the blessing of an incredible miracle was quickly followed by the blessing (Matthew 5:10-12, 2 Corinthians 12:10) of religious persecution (Luke 21:12, John 15:20, Acts 7:52, 1 Corinthians 4:12, 2 Corinthians 4:8-10, 2 Thessalonians 1:4, 2 Timothy 3:12).

The healed man had been shunned and rejected for Christ’s sake, but Jesus didn’t want him to feel abandoned without hope and something to believe in. After being forsaken by the Jews, the man must have wondered how he would worship the God of the Jews. Jesus presented the solution; worship God through worshipping the Son of God, and in John 9:35-37 Jesus admitted to being the Son of God (see also notes on John 4:26, John 5:18, John 8:54, John 17:3). The healed man may not have been able to be a Jew anymore, but he could be a Christian and follow Jesus.

When Jesus was made aware of the man’s excommunication, He sought him out. Upon finding the man, Jesus gave him something new in which to place his trust. I thank the Lord that He sought me out. I too felt alone in the world. I too felt like I didn’t belong. I didn’t know what to believe or if what I was going through would matter to anyone at all. I was blind and walking in darkness. I needed a healing. I needed a savior. I needed something to believe in and cling to. I needed someone to love me even though it seemed everyone else had forsaken me (Psalms 27:9, Hebrews 13:5). Jesus was my answer.

Verse 36

John 9:36

Sometimes we just aren’t sure what or whom we can believe in. Most of what had previously mattered to the healed man’s religious worldview before having an encounter with Jesus had been altered. He could no longer publicly worship as a Jew (see notes on John 9:35), but he knew the power of God had given him sight (John 9:17, John 9:33). The Jews (see notes on John 1:19) had rejected him (John 9:34), but God had helped him. How then could the Jews be right with God? If the Jewish leaders were wrong, he couldn’t believe what they said anymore. What then should he believe?

Jesus had offered the Son of God as the source (John 9:35) for true worship (John 4:23-24) and a worthy place to entrust belief. Strengthened in confidence of Jesus by having experienced His power, he only had one remaining question, “Who is the Son of God?” “Show me who you say the Son of God is,” he was saying, “and I will believe you and worship Him” (John 9:38).

In times of doubt and confusion we too can be uplifted into confident faith by remembering the good things the Lord has done for us. When our belief is shaken, we need the wisdom to ask God for encouragement and direction (Mark 9:24, Luke 17:5).

Verse 37

John 9:37

After experiencing the power of God through Jesus’ hands (John 9:6), the healed man was asked by Jesus if he believed on the Son of God (John 9:35). Accepting Jesus as a prophet of God (John 9:17), the man was willing to believe what Jesus told him (John 9:36). The Lord rewarded the man’s faith with a type of revelation rarely recorded in our Bibles. Jesus gave the man a verbal declaration directly confirming His divine origins (see notes on John 4:26, John 5:18, John 8:54, John 17:3).

Verse 38

John 9:38

Jesus had asked the healed man if he believed on the Son of God (John 9:35). The man didn’t know who that was, but he would believe it was whomever Jesus identified as such (John 9:36). Jesus acknowledged Himself as the Son of God (John 9:37), and the man believed in Him. Once he believed ... he worshipped.

Our response to belief in Jesus ought to be love expressed through worship in thankfulness and gratitude going forward in a new life characterized by service (Romans 12:1, Ephesians 6:7, 1 Timothy 6:2, Revelation 2:19) and brotherly affection towards others (Romans 12:10, 1 Thessalonians 4:9, Hebrews 13:1, 2 Peter 1:7-9). How else can we respond? It is what comes naturally to those forgiven (Luke 7:47). In short, our lives become a form of worship.

Verse 39

John 9:39

Jesus spoke to the man that was blind about spiritual blindness and those, such as I was, walking around in darkness. Before Christ saved me, it was as though I was sleep walking through life. I acted awake. I made decisions. I bumped into things. I seemed alert, but I was unable to function as I should. I was in the dark not even aware that true life was available to those in the light of day (Revelation 22:16, Luke 1:78-79).

Jesus is the light of the world (John 1:4-5, John 9:5), and He awakes us from our sleep (John 5:21). We need not be zombies merely moving through life but really dead (Acts 26:23). We can be made truly alive by the power and mercy and grace of God (Romans 8:11, Ephesians 2:1-5, Colossians 2:13). The zombie can be shown his condition and see his need for God. The Holy Spirit reveals to us our true nature, and we realize that we are blind (1 Corinthians 13:12). Once we turn from our old ways and submit ourselves to Jesus’ control over our lives, then we are free to walk in the light of life (John 8:12). Then, as this blind man did, we can declare, “I was blind, but now I see” (John 9:25).

Verse 40

John 9:40

The Pharisees (see notes on John 8:3) believed they were not in darkness (Luke 11:35). They thought they were in the light provided by the Law given to them through Moses (Matthew 23:2, Mark 12:26-27, John 1:7, John 5:45, John 6:32, John 9:29), but the true light of life (John 8:12) comes only through belief in Jesus as the Christ (John 12:46).

Verse 41

John 9:41

In order to be saved by Christ, we must first admit that we are lost without Christ (1 John 1:8). We must confess (1 John 1:9) that we are sinners (1 John 1:10) walking in darkness (see notes on John 9:40) and in need of the light (Romans 10:9).

Confession is what the “C” stands for in the acronym C.R.A.S.H. which helps to teach a “Crash Course” about the gospel. The Crash Course is as follows:

C. Confess

R. Repent

We must confess, but we must also repent (Mark 1:14-15). Notice how repentance is a two part action. True repentance is not just being sorry for your sins, but it means that there is also a change of conduct. David said that after he considered his behavior, he turned around (Psalms 119:59). That turning is repentance. Peter told us that the Lord doesn’t want us to perish (John 3:16), but He wants us all to repent (2 Peter 3:9). “All” means you too (see notes on John 10:2). It means everybody ... without exception ... “all.” You must confess and you must repent.

A. Accept

One may confess that he is a sinner and even repent of his sins, but if he hasn’t accepted the teachings (John 12:48) in the Bible as applicable to his life, if they seem too foreign or unapproachable or unbelievable (1 Corinthians 2:14), then such a one is not yet fully converted. Such a person has not completed the C.R.A.S.H. course. Such a one is in the case of many that thought the Lord’s teachings were too hard (John 6:60) and simply walked away (John 6:64-66). One can’t walk away from Jesus and still get to Heaven (Luke 12:42-48, Hebrews 10:26, Hebrews 10:38, 2 Peter 2:20-22). One must turn to Him and accept Him.

S. Submit

Submit to the Lord and His teachings (Isaiah 55:3). Let Him be Lord over your life (Hebrews 12:7). Begin to obey (Luke 6:46)!

C,R,A, & S ... now “H.”

H. Holy Spirit

Once saved, the true believer ... not those false converts, but a true believer ... is given the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:13). With the Holy Spirit we are given everything we need to stay in the light (Galatians 5:22-23, 2 Peter 1:3). Also, the Holy Spirit is given to us as proof that we are indeed saved (2 Corinthians 1:22, Ephesians 1:13-14).

That’s the C.R.A.S.H. Course. Next time you are told by some misled soul, “I believe in God, so I’m not worried.” Remember that belief, as we think of belief (see notes on John 3:15) is not enough. Give them the C.R.A.S.H. Course in the gospel. Inform them that they must confess that they are sinners, repent from their sins, accept the teachings of the Bible, submit to Jesus as Lord over their lives and they will receive the Holy Spirit which is proof of our salvation.

True belief equals a change for the better in their conduct. It means walking according to the Spirit (Romans 8:1-5, Romans 8:14, Galatians 5:18, Ephesians 3:16-19, 1 Peter 4:6) and not going around fulfilling the desires of their old sinful nature (Romans 12:2, Romans 13:12, 1 Corinthians 7:17, Ephesians 2:1-3, Ephesians 4:22-24, Colossians 3:8-14). True conversions are identifiable by the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) exhibited in their daily lives (Matthew 7:16-20, Matthew 12:33, Luke 6:44). They “believe.” That’s great, but are they changing? Are they becoming more like Jesus and growing closer to Christ?