John 9 - NIV Study Bible

9:1–12 Jesus performed more miracles of this kind than of any other. Giving sight to the blind was predicted as a Messianic activity (see Isa 29:18; 35:5 and notes; 42:7). Thus these miracles were additional evidence that Jesus was the Messiah (see 20:31 and note).

9:2 who sinned . . . ? Some rabbis had developed the principle that “there is no death without sin, and there is no suffering without iniquity” (cf. Introduction to Job: Theological Theme and Message). These rabbis were not wrong that death and suffering have come as a result of sin. There would be no death or suffering in the world if Adam had not sinned. The rabbis’ mistake was in concluding that a person’s suffering must be the direct consequence of a particular sin of theirs or their parents. Jesus is not arguing against the premise, but against its incorrect application.

9:3 works of God might be displayed. Cf. 11:4,40 and note on 11:4.

9:4 we. Not Jesus only; his disciples share with him the responsibility of doing what God wants done. Night is coming. When Jesus, “the light of the world” (v. 5), will be taken away in death.

9:5 the light of the world. See note on 8:12; cf. Mt 5:14–16; Php 2:15 and notes.

9:6 Jesus used variety in his cures. He could turn even the dirt of the earth into a medium of restoration (cf. Mk 8:22–25).

9:7 Pool of Siloam. Until recent years the general site of the pool on the southern end of the main ridge on which Jerusalem was built was marked by a structure from the Byzantine period. In 2004, however, archaeologists identified nearby remains that proved to be the original Pool of Siloam of Jesus’ day. The aqueduct leading into the pool served as part of the major water system developed by King Hezekiah (see notes on 2Ki 20:20; Ne 2:14; Job 28:10; Isa 8:6; see also photo). Sent. Or “one who has been sent.”

9:8 begging. About the only way people of that day who were blind could support themselves.

9:13 Pharisees. See note on 7:32.

9:14 Sabbath. Cf. 5:16 and the discussion that follows (see note on 5:10).

9:16 Some . . . others. The first group started from their entrenched position and ruled out the possibility of Jesus being from God. The second started from the fact of the “signs” and ruled out the possibility of his being a sinner (cf. vv. 30–33 and notes).

9:17 What have you to say about him? It is curious that they put such a question to one who had just met Jesus; their doing so reflected their perplexity. prophet. Probably the highest designation the man could think of.

9:18 They. The Pharisees (see vv. 13,15–16; see also note on 1:19). In their prejudice they did not learn from the sign but tried to discredit the miracle.

9:21 He is of age. Old enough to be considered an adult member of the Jewish community; i.e., at least thirteen years old. There was much to which the parents could not testify, but their emphasis on the son’s responsibility showed their fear of getting involved.

9:22 put out of the synagogue. Excommunication is reported as early as the time of Ezra (10:8), but there is practically no information about the way it was practiced in NT times. The synagogue was the center of Jewish community life (see note on 6:59), so excommunication cut a person off from many social relationships (though, in some of its forms, at least in later times, not from worship).

9:24 the truth. According to the Jewish leaders. They provide the content of the “truth” they desire to hear in their charge to the man. We. Emphatic in the Greek.

9:27 Do you want to become his disciples too? The man already counted himself a disciple. His question may be sarcastic.

9:29 We know . . . God spoke to Moses. See Dt 18:15 and note. we don’t . . . know where he comes from. Jesus was sent by his Father from heaven (see 8:14 and note; 9:4).

9:30–33 Good reasoning from an unschooled man.

9:31 God does not listen to sinners. Cf. the remark of some of the Pharisees in v. 16.

9:34 threw him out. May mean “expelled him from their assembly” or, more probably, “excommunicated him” (see note on v. 22; cf. note on 1Co 5:5).

9:35 when he found him. Jesus obviously had been looking for the man. Son of Man. See note on Mk 8:31.

9:36 The man was ready to follow any suggestion from his benefactor.

9:38 I believe. See notes on 1:7; 20:31. he worshiped him. The man who was healed has gradually gained greater insight into Jesus’ identity. First he recognized Jesus as simply a man (v. 11). Then he called him a prophet (v. 17). Now he acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of Man and worships him. Meanwhile the Pharisees who claim to see are in fact spiritually blind (vv. 40–41).

9:39 It is unlikely that the conversation of vv. 35–38 took place in the presence of the Pharisees. The incident of vv. 39–41, therefore, probably occurred a little later. For judgment. In a sense Jesus did not come for judgment (see 3:17; 12:47 and note), but his coming divides people, and this always brings a type of judgment. Those who reject his gift end up “blind.”

9:40 Pharisees. They found it incredible that anyone would consider them spiritually blind. See note on v. 13.

9:41 The Pharisees’ claim to sight showed their complete unawareness of their spiritual blindness and need. And, though they claimed to have sight, their actions were evidence of their blindness.