John 9 – Jesus Heals the Blind and Exposes Spiritual Darkness
John 9 continues the conflict between light and darkness. Jesus gives physical sight to a man born blind, but more importantly, exposes the blindness of the religious leaders who refuse to see the truth. This chapter contrasts humble faith with hardened hearts, and shows that those who admit their need are the ones who truly see.
Healing, Testimony, and True Vision
Jesus uses physical healing to reveal spiritual truths. The miracle becomes a message—those who see aren’t always those with open eyes.
✔ A man born blind is healed by Jesus.
✔ His condition prompts questions about sin and suffering.
✔ Jesus reveals God’s works through the miracle.
✔ The man testifies boldly despite pressure from religious leaders.
✔ His parents shrink back out of fear.
✔ The healed man believes and worships.
✔ Jesus declares that spiritual blindness is the true danger.
📖 John 9:25 – “He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.“
🔎 True testimony doesn’t require theological training—it requires honest experience.
John Chapter 9 - Overview
John 9:1–7 – The Man Born Blind
📖 John 9:2–3 – “And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.“
🔎 The disciples reflect a common belief: suffering is always caused by personal sin. Jesus corrects this. Not all pain is punishment—sometimes it’s a platform for God’s glory.
📖 John 9:6–7 – “When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.“
🔎 Jesus uses unusual means—clay and spit—to heal, which echoes the creation narrative in Genesis when God formed man from the dust. This is no accident: Jesus, the Creator in flesh (John 1:3), symbolically recreates the man’s sight using the same material He used to form Adam—earth.
🔎 The act also confounds human wisdom. Why use mud when a word could suffice? Because the act of obedience to Christ’s command—”Go, wash”—demonstrates faith. The miracle is as much about submission as it is about power.
🔎 The Pool of Siloam, meaning “Sent,” reminds us again that the healing comes from the One who was sent by the Father. It’s not about the water—it’s about the Word who gave the command.
➡️ In a world that worships logic and appearance, Jesus often uses humble, even strange methods to perform eternal works. True healing begins when we surrender and obey—even when we don’t fully understand.
John 9:8–23 – Interrogation and Intimidation
📖 John 9:10–11 – “Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened? He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes… and I received sight.“
🔎 The man speaks simply and truthfully. He doesn’t yet know much about Jesus—but he is unashamed to speak what he knows.
📖 John 9:18–19 – “But the Jews did not believe concerning him… until they called the parents of him that had received his sight. And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? how then doth he now see?“
🔎 The religious leaders resist the truth. They seek to discredit the miracle rather than believe it.
📖 John 9:22 – “These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.“
🔎 Fear silences the parents. They confirm the facts but avoid personal witness. Fear of man keeps many from proclaiming Christ.
➡️ Faith stands firm—even when culture and power resist it.
John 9:24–34 – Boldness in the Face of Rejection
📖 John 9:25 – “He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.“
🔎 His clarity cuts through the confusion. The religious elite had arguments—he had evidence. Encountering Christ brings undeniable change.
📖 John 9:27 – “He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples?“
🔎 Sarcasm turns to boldness. He challenges them—perhaps ironically—but also exposes their hardened refusal.
📖 John 9:31 – “Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.“
🔎 He begins reasoning theologically. His growing faith fuels bold proclamation, even as opposition mounts.
➡️ Boldness grows in those who choose truth over comfort.
John 9:35–41 – True Seeing and True Blindness
📖 John 9:35–38 – “Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.”
🔎 Rejected by religion, he is received by the Redeemer. His healing becomes complete—physical and spiritual.
📖 John 9:39 – “And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.“
🔎 Jesus flips expectations. Those who admit need receive sight. Those who claim perfect vision are shown to be blind.
📖 John 9:41 – “Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.“
🔎 Accountability comes not just from sin—but from denial. Pretending to see while rejecting the light leaves one in darkness.
➡️ Spiritual blindness isn’t about vision—it’s about pride.
John Chapter 9 - Deeper Study
Overview: A Blind Man’s Boldness and a Savior’s Search
🔹 Timeframe: During Jesus’ final months of public ministry.
🔹 Setting: Near the temple and in local neighborhoods of Jerusalem.
🔹 Theme: Healing reveals hearts; true sight requires humble faith.
🔹 Connection to Future Events: Reinforces Jesus as the Light of the World amid rising tension.
Key Takeaways
🔑 Not all suffering is punishment—some is preparation for glory.
🔑 God’s works often begin with simple obedience.
🔑 Bold faith often begins with one simple truth: “I was blind, now I see.”
🔑 Fear of man silences many—but love for truth strengthens the witness.
🔑 Real blindness is prideful resistance to light.
Prophetic Patterns & Dual Fulfillment
🔮 Isaiah 42:7 – Opening the eyes of the blind.
🔮 Psalm 146:8 – The Lord opens the eyes of the blind.
🔮 Isaiah 6:10 – Seeing they do not see.
🔮 Exodus 4:11 – Who makes the blind? God alone.
Historical & Cultural Context
📜 Blindness was often viewed as a sign of sin or divine judgment.
📜 Synagogue expulsion was a serious social and spiritual penalty.
📜 Healing with clay was both shocking and symbolic.
📜 Confessing Jesus as Messiah was increasingly dangerous.
💡 Final Reflection: Will You Admit Your Need?
📌 Are you willing to obey, even when it seems strange or uncomfortable?
📌 Do you fear man more than you fear missing the truth?
📌 Can you humbly say, “I was blind, now I see?”
📖 John 9:25 – “One thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.”
🔥 Physical sight is a gift—but spiritual vision is the gateway to eternal life.
Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind
Joh 9:1 And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.
Joh 9:2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?
Joh 9:3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.
Joh 9:4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
Joh 9:5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
Joh 9:6 When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay,
Joh 9:7 And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.
Joh 9:8 The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged?
Joh 9:9 Some said, This is he: others said, He is like him: but he said, I am he.
Joh 9:10 Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened?
Joh 9:11 He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight.
Joh 9:12 Then said they unto him, Where is he? He said, I know not.
Joh 9:13 They brought to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind.
Joh 9:14 And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes.
Joh 9:15 Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see.
Joh 9:16 Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them.
Joh 9:17 They say unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, that he hath opened thine eyes? He said, He is a prophet.
Joh 9:18 But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight.
Joh 9:19 And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? how then doth he now see?
Joh 9:20 His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind:
Joh 9:21 But by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself.
Joh 9:22 These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.
Joh 9:23 Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him.
Joh 9:24 Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner.
Joh 9:25 He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.
Joh 9:26 Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes?
Joh 9:27 He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples?
Joh 9:28 Then they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are Moses’ disciples.
Joh 9:29 We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is.
Joh 9:30 The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes.
Joh 9:31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.
Joh 9:32 Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind.
Joh 9:33 If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.
Joh 9:34 They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.
Joh 9:35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God?
Joh 9:36 He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?
Joh 9:37 And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee.
Joh 9:38 And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.
Joh 9:39 And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.
Joh 9:40 And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also?
Joh 9:41 Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.
Date Written
Around 85–95 AD
Written By
John the Apostle
Language
Greek
Verses
41