John 9:34

The Pharisees Investigate the Healing · John 9:13–34
Read John 9

Translations

Modern
They replied, “You were born in utter sin, and you are instructing us?” And they threw him out.
Traditional
They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.
Literal
They answered and said to him, “You were born entirely in sins, and do you teach us?” And they cast him out.
Latin
Responderunt, et dixerunt ei: In peccatis natus es totus, et tu doces nos? Et ejecerunt eum foras.

Interlinear

Greek
English
They replied, “You were born in utter sin, and you are instructing us?” And they threw him out.

Notes

Discipline such as being thrown out of the synagogue was not uncommon. It brought social isolation that might require the man’s departure from the village. Such serious persecution was precisely what Jesus predicted for his followers (15:18–27; 16:2).

At the Feast of Tabernacles, Jesus claimed to be the light of the world (chapters 7–8; see 8:12). Now John tells about Jesus giving light, both physically and spiritually, to a blind man who lived in darkness (see 9:5).

The story ends with a surprising reversal (a complete change) of roles: The man who had been blind was assumed to live in spiritual darkness. Yet he came to see and accept God’s light. The Pharisees could see with their physical eyes. People thought they were spiritually enlightened (well taught and wise). However, they refused to believe. In the end, they were shown to be spiritually blind.

Events

Glossary

Banish, Banishment Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Blindness Heal, Healing Jesus Christ John, Gospel of Pool of Siloam Pride Synagogue

Topics

Bigotry in Their Treatment of the Young Man Who Was Born Blind, Whom Jesus Restored to Sight Blindness: Spiritual Church: Rules of Discipline In, Mosaic and Christian Confession of Christ Converts: Zealous: The Blind Men Faith: Faith in Christ: The Blind Man Whom Jesus Healed on the Sabbath Persecution of the Disciples Sabbath: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Self-Righteousness: General Scriptures Concerning Self-Righteousness: Pharisees Synagogue: Primarily an Assembly of Jews and God-Fearers of Religious Courts Synagogues: Offenders Were often: Expelled From