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John 9:16

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does John 9:16 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Some 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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Some 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.
John 9:16 — American Standard Version

Context — John 9

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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?
← John 9:15John 9:17 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Wherefore said some of the Pharisees, etc.] Or sanhedrim, for they were not all of one mind, as appears by what follows: this man is not of God; meaning not the blind man, but Jesus; and their sense is, he is not sent of God, he does not come from him to do his will and work, nor does he seek his glory, nor is he on his side, or for his interest; because he keepeth not the sabbath day: this they concluded from his making clay of spittle, and spreading it on the blind man’s eyes, which was contrary to the traditions of their elders: one of whose rules and canons is f423 , that “it is forbidden to put fasting spittle even on the eyelid on a sabbath day.” An eye salve, or a plaster for the eye,…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“This man is not of God, &c.--(See on Joh 5:9; Joh 5:16). Others said, &c.--such as Nicodemus and Joseph.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“This man is not of God - Is not sent by God, or cannot be a friend of God. Because he keepeth not the sabbath-day - They assumed that their views of the Sabbath were correct, and by those views they judged others. It did not occur to them to inquire whether the interpretation which they put on the law might not be erroneous. Men often assume their own interpretations of the Scriptures to be infallible, and then judge and condemn all others by those interpretations. A sinner - A deceiver; an impostor. They reasoned conclusively that God would not give the power of working such miracles to an impostor. The miracles were such as could not be denied, nor did even the enemies of Jesus attempt to…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“This man is not of God - Not sent of God. How can a man that is a sinner - That is, one living in wilful sin, do such miracles? John 9:17”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“This man: Joh 9:24, Joh 9:30-33, Joh 3:2, Joh 5:36, Joh 14:11, Joh 15:24 And there: Joh 7:12, Joh 7:43, Joh 10:19; Luk 13:31-33; Act 14:4 John 9:17”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification