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John 9:17

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does John 9:17 say?

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

The verse

They 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.
John 9:17 — American Standard Version

Context — John 9

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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:
← John 9:16John 9:18 →
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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
“They say unto the blind man again, etc.] After they had discoursed among themselves, and could not agree about the author of the miracle, they turn to him that had been blind, who is called the blind man, because he had been so, and ask him his sentiments of him: what sayest thou of him, that he hath opened thine eyes? the question seems, at first sight, as if it was, whether Jesus had opened his eyes or not; but by the answer it appears, that it required his thoughts of him, “who hath opened thine eyes”, as the Vulgate Latin and Persic versions read; or “seeing”, or “because he hath opened thine eyes”, as the Arabic and Ethiopic versions: he said, he is a prophet; the Syriac and Persic…”
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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
“the blind man . . . said, He is a prophet--rightly viewing the miracle as but a "sign" of His prophetic commission.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“What sayest thou of him? ... - The translation here expresses the sense obscurely. The meaning is, “What sayest thou of him for giving thee sight?” (Campbell); or, “What opinion of him hath this work of power and mercy to thee wrought in thee?” (Hammond). He is a prophet - That is “I think that the power to work such a miracle proves that he is sent from God. And though this has been done on the Sabbath, yet it proves that he must have been sent by God, for such a power could never have proceeded from man.” We see here: A noble confession made by the man who was healed, in the face of the rulers of the people, and when he doubtless knew that they were opposed to Jesus. We should never be…”
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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
“What sayest thou of him, for that he hath opened thine eyes? - What inference dost thou draw herefrom? John 9:22”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“9:17 The man had already identified his healer (9:11, 16). Now he made his own spiritual judgment, calling Jesus a prophet.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“He is: Joh 4:19, Joh 6:14; Luk 24:19; Act 2:22, Act 3:22-26, Act 10:38 John 9:18”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification