Attributed commentary excerpt
John Gill's Exposition on John 9:22
A historical reference excerpt for this verse. Read it alongside the biblical text and other available sources.
Exposition of the Old and New Testament
John Gill (1697–1771) · 18th-century historical commentary
Source: BibleWord.ai's local reference edition of this named work.
These words spake his parents, etc.] these were the answers they returned to the three questions put to them: and the reason why they answered in the manner they did to the third, was, because they feared the Jews; the Jewish sanhedrim, otherwise they were Jews themselves: for the Jews had agreed already; the sanhedrim had made a decree, either at this time, upon this account, or some time before, that if any man did confess that he was Christ; that Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah, he should be put out of the synagogue; which was not that sort of excommunication which they called ywdn, “Niddui”, a separation from civil society for the space of four cubits, and which held but thirty days, if the person repented; if he did not, it was continued to sixty days; and after that, in case of non-repentance, to ninety days; and if no amendment, then they proceeded to another excommunication called µrj, “Cherem”, or atmç, “Shammatha”, whereby such were anathematized, and cut off from the whole body of the Jewish church and people, called sometimes the synagogue and congregation of Israel f427; and this struck great terror in the minds of the people; and this was what intimidated the parents of the blind man, being what is intended here. Though these are sometimes put one for another, and signify the same thing; and he that was under the former of those censures, is said to be rwbyx ˆm ldbwm, “separated from the congregation” f428, a phrase by which the word here used may be very well rendered: but in some things there was a difference between them; the one was without cursing, the other with; he that was under “Niddui”, might teach others the traditions, and they might teach him; he might hire workmen, and be hired himself: but he that was under “Cherem” might neither teach others, nor they teach him; but he might teach himself, that he might not forget his learning; and he might neither hire, nor be hired; and they did not trade with him, nor did they employ him in any business, unless in very little, just to keep him alive f429; yea, the goods which he was possessed of, were confiscated, and which they conclude should be done from f430 (<151008>Ezra 10:8), which may be compared with this passage; so that this greatly and chiefly affected them in the affairs of civil life, and which made it so terrible: for I do not find that they were obliged to abstain from the temple, or temple worship, or from the synagogue, and the worship of it, and which is the mistake of some learned men: it is certain, they might go into places of worship, though with some difference from others; for it is said f431, that “all that go into the temple, go in, in the right hand way, and go round, and come out in the left, except such an one to whom anything has befallen him, and he goes about to the left; (and when asked) why dost thou go to the left? (he answers) because I am a mourner; (to whom it is replied) he that dwells in this house comfort thee: (or) hdwnm ynaç, “because I am excommunicated”; (to whom they say) he that dwells in this house put it into thy heart (that thou mayest hearken to the words of thy friends, as it is afterwards explained) and they may receive thee.” And it is elsewhere said f432, that “Solomon, when he built the temple, made two gates, the one for bridegrooms, and the other for mourners and excommunicated persons; and the Israelites, when they went in on sabbath days, or feast days, sat between these two gates; and when anyone came in…
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