John Chapter 9
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John 9: The Man Born BlindThe Man and the Question“As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth” (John 9:1, ESV). The disciples ask, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” (John 9:2). Jesus answers, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him” (John 9:3). Suffering serves divine purpose. “We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world” (John 9:4-5).The HealingJesus spits on the ground, makes mud with the saliva, and anoints the man’s eyes. He commands, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent) (John 9:7). The man goes, washes, and comes back seeing.The Neighbors’ ConfusionNeighbors and those who formerly saw him begging ask, “Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?” (John 9:8). Some say yes; others, “No, but he is like him.” He insists, “I am the man” (John 9:9). They ask how. He recounts the mud, the washing, the sight. They ask where Jesus is; he does not know.The Pharisees InvestigateThey bring him to the Pharisees. It is a Sabbath. The Pharisees ask again how he received sight. He repeats: “He put mud on my eyes, and I washed, and I see” (John 9:15). Some say, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” Others ask, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” Division arises (John 9:16).They ask the man, “What do you say about him?” He answers, “He is a prophet” (John 9:17).The Parents SummonedThe Jews do not believe he was born blind. They call the parents and ask, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?” (John 9:19). The parents confirm he is their son and was born blind, but say, “We do not know how he sees... Ask him; he is of age” (John 9:21). They fear the Jews, who agreed that anyone confessing Jesus as Christ would be put out of the synagogue.The Man’s Second TestimonyThe Jews call the man again and say, “Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner” (John 9:24). He replies, “Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see” (John 9:25). They repeat the question; he answers, “I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?” (John 9:27).They revile him: “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from” (John 9:28-29). The man retorts, “Why, this is an amazing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him. Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing” (John 9:30-33).They answer, “You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?” They cast him out (John 9:34).Jesus Finds the OutcastJesus hears he was cast out and finds him. He asks, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” (John 9:35). The man answers, “And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?” Jesus says, “You have seen him, and it is he who is speaking to you” (John 9:37). The man declares, “Lord, I believe,” and worships Him (John 9:38).Spiritual BlindnessJesus says, “For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind” (John 9:39). Some Pharisees ask, “Are we also blind?” Jesus answers, “If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, ‘We see,’ your guilt remains” (John 9:41).