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John 9:6

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does John 9:6 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and anointed his eyes with the clay,” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and anointed his eyes with the clay,
John 9:6 — American Standard Version

Context — John 9

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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].
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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
“And when he had thus spoken, etc.] In answer to the disciples’ question, and declaring his own work and office in the world, and the necessity he was under of performing it: he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle; the Misnic doctors speak f413 of qwrn jyj, “clay that is spitted”, or “spittle clay”, which their commentators say f414 was a weak, thin clay, like spittle or water; but this here was properly spittle clay, or clay made of spittle, for want of water; or it may be rather, through choice Christ spat upon the dust of the earth, and worked it together into a consistence, like clay: and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay; however, spittle, especially…”
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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
“he spat on the ground, and made clay . . . and he anointed the eyes of the blind man--These operations were not so incongruous in their nature as might appear, though it were absurd to imagine that they contributed in the least degree to the effect which followed. (See Mar 6:13 and see on Joh 7:33.)”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And made clay ... - Two reasons may be assigned for making this clay, and anointing the eyes with it. One is, that the Jews regarded spittle as medicinal to the eyes when diseased, and that they forbade the use of medicines on the Sabbath. They regarded the Sabbath so strictly that they considered the preparation and use of medicines as contrary to the law. Especially it was particularly forbidden among them to use spittle on that day to heal diseased eyes. See instances in Lightfoot. Jesus, therefore, by making this spittle, showed them that their manner of keeping the day was superstitious, and that he dared to do a thing which they esteemed unlawful. He showed that their interpretation of…”
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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
“He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay - This might almost have blinded a man that had sight. But what could it do toward curing the blind? It reminds us that God is no farther from the event, when he works either with, or without means, and that all the creatures are only that which his almighty operation makes them. John 9:7”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“9:6 During the New Testament era, saliva was used for medical purposes (see Mark 7:32-35; 8:22-25).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“he spat: Mar 7:33, Mar 8:23; Rev 3:18, anointed the eyes of the blind with the clay, or, spread the clay upon the eyes of the blind man John 9:7”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification