John 9 - Wiersbe Study Bible

9:1–12 About the only thing a blind man could do in that day was beg, and that is what this man was doing when Jesus passed by (v. 8). No doubt there were many blind people who would have loved to be healed, but Jesus selected this man (see Luke 4:25–27). Apparently the man and his parents were well known in the community. It was on the Sabbath when Jesus healed the man (John 9:14), so that once again He was upsetting and deliberately challenging the religious leaders (5:9ff.).

9:2 The disciples did not look at the man as an object of mercy but rather as a subject for a theological discussion. It is much easier to discuss an abstract subject like “sin” than it is to minister to a concrete need in the life of a person. The disciples were sure that the man’s congenital blindness was caused by sin, either his own or his parents’, but Jesus disagreed with them.

9:3–5 In the final analysis, all physical problems are the result of our fall in Adam, for his disobedience brought sin and death into the world (Rom. 5:12). But afterward, to blame a specific disability on a specific sin committed by specific persons is certainly beyond any man’s ability or authority. Only God knows why babies are born with handicaps, and only God can turn those handicaps into something that will bring good to people and glory to His name.

9:10 Four times in this chapter people asked how the blind man was healed (vv. 10,15,19,26). First the neighbors asked the man, and then the Pharisees asked Him. Not satisfied with His reply, the Pharisees asked the man’s parents and then gave the son one final interrogation. Only the first time did they ask “Who?” The rest of the time they focused on finding out “How?” We are so prone to ask “How?” We want to understand the mechanics of a miracle instead of simply trusting the Savior, who alone can perform the miracle.

9:13–23 Since the Pharisees were the custodians of the faith, it was right that the healed man be brought to them for investigation. The fact that they studied this miracle in such detail is only further proof that Jesus did indeed heal the man. Since the man was born blind, the miracle was even greater, for blindness caused by sickness or injury might suddenly go away. Our Lord’s miracles can bear careful scrutiny by His enemies.

9:20–23 What lay behind all of this questioning and these furtive replies? The fear of people. We met it at the Festival of Shelters (7:13), and we shall meet it again at our Lord’s last Passover (12:42). These people were seeking the honor of men and not the honor that comes from God (5:44). To be sure, it was a serious thing to be excommunicated from the synagogue, but it was far more serious to reject the truth and be lost forever.

9:25 He did not debate the character of Jesus Christ, because that was beyond his knowledge and experience. But one thing he did know: Now he could see. His testimony here reminds the reader of Psalm 27. Read that psalm in the light of this chapter, from the viewpoint of the healed beggar, and see how meaningful it becomes. Sharing the gospel effectively includes both an explanation of the process and a testimony about what Christ has done for us.

9:27–29 We admire the boldness of the man in asking those irate Pharisees if they wanted to follow Jesus! The man expected a negative answer, but he was courageous even to ask it. Unable to refute the evidence, the judges began to revile the witness, and once again Moses is brought into the picture (5:46).

9:35–38 The Good Shepherd always cares for His sheep. Jesus knew that the man had been excommunicated, so He found him and revealed Himself to him. Remember, the man knew our Lord’s voice, but he had never seen His face.

9:39 Jesus’ statement does not contradict 3:16,17. The reason for our Lord’s coming was salvation, but the result of His coming was condemnation of those who would not believe. The same sun that brings beauty out of the seeds also exposes the vermin hiding under the rocks. The religious leaders were blind and would not admit it; therefore, the light of truth only made them blinder. The beggar admitted his need, and he received both physical and spiritual sight.

9:41 The beggar was physically blind and spiritually blind, yet both his eyes and his heart were opened. Why? Because he listened to the Word, believed it, obeyed it, and experienced the grace of God. The Pharisees had good physical vision, but they were blind spiritually. Had they listened to the Word and sincerely considered the evidence, they too would have believed on Jesus Christ and been born again.