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John Chapter 9

New Testament Gospel 41 Verses

What is John 9 about?

The theological Gospel — seven signs, the "I AM" declarations, and the proof that Jesus is the eternal Son of God. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1And as he passed by, he saw a man blind from his birth.
2And his disciples asked him, saying, Rabbi, who sinned, this man, or his parents, that he should be born blind?
3Jesus answered, Neither did this man sin, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.
4We must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
5When I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
6When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and anointed his eyes with the clay,
7and said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam (which is by interpretation, Sent). He went away therefore, and washed, and came seeing.
8The neighbors therefore, and they that saw him aforetime, that he was a beggar, said, Is not this he that sat and begged?
9Others said, It is he: others said, No, but he is like him. He said, I am [he].
10They said therefore unto him, How then were thine eyes opened?
11He answered, The man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to Siloam, and wash: so I went away and washed, and I received sight.
12And they said unto him, Where is he? He saith, I know not.
13They bring to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind.
14Now it was the sabbath on the day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes.
15Again therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he received his sight. And he said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and I see.
16Some therefore of the Pharisees said, This man is not from God, because he keepeth not the sabbath. But others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such signs? And there was division among them.
17They say therefore unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, in that he opened thine eyes? And he said, He is a prophet.
18The Jews therefore did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and had received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight,
19and asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? How then doth he now see?
20His parents answered and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind:
21but how he now seeth, we know not; or who opened his eyes, we know not: ask him; he is of age; he shall speak for himself.
22These things said his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man should confess him [to be] Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.
23Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him.
24So they called a second time the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give glory to God: we know that this man is a sinner.
25He therefore answered, Whether he is a sinner, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.
26They said therefore unto him, What did he to thee? How opened he thine eyes?
27He answered them, I told you even now, and ye did not hear; wherefore would ye hear it again? would ye also become his disciples?
28And they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are disciples of Moses.
29We know that God hath spoken unto Moses: but as for this man, we know not whence he is.
30The man answered and said unto them, Why, herein is the marvel, that ye know not whence he is, and [yet] he opened mine eyes.
31We know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and do his will, him he heareth.
32Since the world began it was never heard that any one opened the eyes of a man born blind.
33If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.
34They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.
35Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and finding him, he said, Dost thou believe on the Son of God?
36He answered and said, And who is he, Lord, that I may believe on him?
37Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and he it is that speaketh with thee.
38And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.
39And Jesus said, For judgment came I into this world, that they that see not may see; and that they that see may become blind.
40Those of the Pharisees who were with him heard these things, and said unto him, Are we also blind?
41Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye would have no sin: but now ye say, We see: your sin remaineth.
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What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“And as [Jesus] passed by, etc.] The word “Jesus” is not in the Greek text, but is rightly supplied by us, as it is in the Vulgate Latin, and as the word “Christ” is in the Persic version; for of his passing from the temple, and by the multitude that were there, and on his way to the place he designed to make to, is this said, as appears from the close of the preceding chapter; though some think this is to be understood of his passing by at another time and place, since the preceding fact of the woman’s being taken in adultery, and the discourse of our Lord with the Jews, were quickly after the feast of…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“THE OPENING OF THE EYES OF ONE BORN BLIND, AND WHAT FOLLOWED ON IT. (John 9:1-41) as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from birth--and who "sat begging" (Joh 9:8).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“As Jesus passed by - As he was leaving the temple, John 8:59. This man was in the way in which Jesus was going to escape from the Jews. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 2
“Who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind? - That is, was it for his own sins, or the sins of his parents? They suppose (as many of the Jews did, though without any ground from Scripture) that he might have sinned in a pre - existent state, before he came into the world. John 9:3”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 1
“9:1-41 At the Festival of Shelters (chs 7–8), Jesus claimed to be the light of the world (8:12). Now John tells about Jesus giving light, both physically and spiritually, to a blind man who lived in darkness (see 9:5). The story ends with a splendid reversal of roles: The blind man who was assumed to be in spiritual darkness could see God’s light, whereas the Pharisees, who could see physically and were thought to be enlightened, were shown to be spiritually blind.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“he saw: Joh 9:32 John 9:2”
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