Introduction
In John 9, Jesus heals a man born blind to show God's work and to prove he is the world's light (John 8:12; 9:5). The man's sight grows into faith as he is questioned and thrown out by the Pharisees, while the religious leaders, who claim to see, remain spiritually blind. Faith grows when it's tested.
“One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see” (John 9:25). A man who had never seen a sunrise was given sight by Jesus, and then put on trial for it. John 9 is a story about physical blindness and a deeper spiritual blindness, and it shows how faith grows when it’s tested.
Context
Jesus has just declared that he is the world’s light (8:12). Now he shows it by giving light to a man born blind. This is the sixth of the seven signs in John. It also happens on a Sabbath, which ignites conflict with the Pharisees.
Passage Overview
The disciples ask whose sin caused the man’s blindness, his own or his parents’ (v. 2). Jesus says neither; this happened so that God’s work could be put on show in his life (v. 3). He makes mud, anoints the man’s eyes, and sends him to the Pool of Siloam to wash. The man comes back seeing. Neighbors argue, the Pharisees interrogate him twice, his parents are afraid, and finally he’s thrown out. Jesus finds him, and the man worships him. Jesus warns that those who claim to see are the truly blind (v. 41).
Verse-by-Verse Commentary
Verses 1-5: Who Sinned?
Many assumed suffering was always caused by specific sin. Jesus rejects that simple equation. Not every suffering is a punishment; God can display his works through it. While Jesus is in the world, he is its light (v. 5).
Verses 6-7: Mud and Siloam
Jesus could have healed with a word. Instead he used mud, perhaps echoing God forming man from the dust (Genesis 2:7). Siloam means Sent. The man obeyed, washed, and saw.
Verses 8-23: Questions and Fear
Neighbors can’t agree it’s the same man. The Pharisees are split: a Sabbath-breaker can’t be from God, yet how could a sinful man perform miracles like this? The parents dodge because anyone confessing Jesus as Christ would be banned from the synagogue (v. 22). Fear of people silences them.
Verses 24-34: A Growing Witness
Watch the man’s view of Jesus grow: first just a man named Jesus (v. 11), then a prophet (v. 17), then someone sent by God (v. 33). Pressed again, he answers simply with his testimony from verse 25. He even asks if they want to become disciples too (v. 27). They throw him out.
Verses 35-41: Seeing and Blindness
Jesus seeks him out and asks whether he believes in the one called the Son of Man (v. 35). The man confesses his faith and worships him (v. 38). Jesus says he came so that the blind would receive sight and those who think they see would be shown to be blind (v. 39). The Pharisees, confident in their sight, remain in their guilt.
Key Themes
- Suffering isn’t always punishment.
- Jesus is the light who gives sight.
- Testimony grows under pressure.
- Fear of people silences faith.
- Spiritual blindness is worse than physical blindness.
Gospel Connection
We were all born spiritually blind (2 Corinthians 4:4-6). Jesus came as the one sent by the Father to open our eyes. He was later cast out himself, crucified outside the city, so that outcasts like this man, and us, could be welcomed to God. When he finds us, we can echo this man’s testimony (v. 25).
Application
- Rethink suffering. Ask how God might display his works in your hardship.
- Share your story. You don’t need all the answers to say what Jesus has done for you.
- Resist fear of people. Where are you silent about Jesus?
- Ask for sight. Pray that God would open your eyes, and the eyes of those you love.
- Worship. Like the healed man, respond to Jesus with faith and worship.
Discussion Questions
- Why did the disciples assume someone sinned?
- How does Jesus’ answer change how you view suffering?
- Why do you think Jesus used mud and the Pool of Siloam?
- How does the man’s understanding of Jesus grow?
- Why were his parents afraid?
- What does the man’s simple testimony in verse 25 teach about witnessing?
- What does it mean that those who claim to see are blind?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, light of the world, I was blind and you opened my eyes. Thank you for seeking me out. Give me courage to tell what you’ve done, even when I’m pressured. Keep me from proud blindness, and open the eyes of those I love. Lord, I believe; I worship you. Amen.
Related: The 7 I Am Statements of Jesus in John
Related: Blind Bartimaeus Devotional
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the meaning of the man born blind?
John 9 teaches that Jesus brings both physical and spiritual sight. The healed man grows from calling Jesus a man, to a prophet, to worshiping him as Lord (vv. 11, 17, 38). Meanwhile the Pharisees' refusal to believe shows a deeper blindness.
Why was the man born blind?
The disciples assumed someone's sin caused it. Jesus said neither the man nor his parents had sinned to cause it; it happened so God's works could be displayed in him (John 9:3). Suffering is not always punishment, and God can bring glory through it.
Why did Jesus use mud to heal the blind man?
Jesus made mud with his saliva, put it on the man's eyes, and sent him to rinse them at Siloam (John 9:6-7). It may echo God forming humans from dust in Genesis 2:7, and it invited the man to act in faith by going and washing.
Why did the Pharisees throw the man out?
The man refused to deny what Jesus had done and boldly argued that someone from God had opened his eyes (John 9:30-33). The leaders, angry that a beggar was teaching them, threw him out of the synagogue (v. 34). Jesus then sought him out.
What does John 9 teach about spiritual blindness?
Jesus says he came so the blind might see and those who think they see might become blind (John 9:39-41). Admitting our need opens our eyes to him, while pride keeps us in the dark. It invites us to come humbly to Jesus.