John 9:25

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does John 9:25 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “He therefore answered, Whether he is a sinner, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

He therefore answered, Whether he is a sinner, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.
John 9:25 — American Standard Version

Context — John 9

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
25He therefore answered, Whether he is a sinner, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“He answered and said, etc.] That is, the man who had been blind, who takes no notice of the confession they pressed him to, which is what he could not do; there being no collusion in this case, he only replies to the reproachful character they had given of his benefactor. Whether he be a sinner or not, I know not: or “if he is a sinner I know not”, as the Vulgate Latin version renders it, suggesting that he did not know he was a sinner; he could not charge him with being one; nor could he join with them in saying he was a sinner; nor did he think and believe he was: however, he was sure he had done a good thing to him, and in that he was no sinner; and what proof they had of his being one he…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, &c.--Not that the man meant to insinuate any doubt in his own mind on the point of His being "a sinner," but as his opinion on such a point would be of no consequence to others, he would speak only to what he knew as fact in his own case.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not - The man had just said that he believed Jesus to be a prophet, John 9:17. By his saying that he did not know whether he was a sinner may be meant that though he might be a prophet, yet that he might not be perfect; or that it did not become him, being an obscure and unlearned man, to attempt to determine that question. What follows shows that he did not believe that he was a sinner, and these words were probably spoken in irony to deride the Pharisees. They were perverse and full of cavils, and were determined not to believe. The man reminded them that the question was not whether Jesus was a sinner; that, though that might be, yet it did not settle…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“one: Joh 9:30, Joh 5:11; Jo1 5:10 John 9:27”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Sources and verification