ONE THING I DO KNOW
John 9:13-41
Key Verse 25
He replied, "Whether he is a sinner or not, I don't know.
One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!"
In the previous passage, Jesus revealed himself as the light of the world by opening the physical eyes of a man born blind.
In this passage, the man holds firmly to the grace he received and to the truth and Jesus is pleased to reveal the light of his glory to him and open his spiritual eyes.
The light of Jesus shines forth, revealing him as the one who came from heaven and who is worthy of our devotion, adherance, and worship.
1. Read verses 13-17.
ANSWER:
Joh 9:13-17 They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. 14 Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man's eyes was a Sabbath. 15 Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. "He put mud on my eyes," the man replied, "and I washed, and now I see." 16 Some of the Pharisees said, "This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath." But others asked, "How can a sinner do such miraculous signs?" So they were divided. 17 Finally they turned again to the blind man, "What have you to say about him? It was your eyes he opened." The man replied, "He is a prophet."
Why did the people bring the man to the Pharisees? (13-14)
ANSWER:
Joh 9:13-14 They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. 14 Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man's eyes was a Sabbath.
Because Jesus healed this man on the Sabbath.
They were legalistic about the Sabbath
They did not know the true meaning of the Sabbath.
The only thing they could think of was their traditions.
The only thing they could do was to criticize Jesus who healed someone on the Sabbath.
We can see how this dark world is hostile to the Light and the children of light (Joh 3:19-20; 15:18-19; Eph 5:8).
Because they were spiritually blind.
The Bible did not describe anything about their positive responses.
They could not see/enjoy the grace of God upon this blind man.
They could not give thanks to God for what Jesus has done for this man.
They could not see the great work of God in him.
They could not see the power of God, glory of God in Jesus’ miracle.
They were not happy because of what had happened.
They could not enjoy a sense of superiority over this man anymore. The spiritually blind are always jealous when good things happen to others.
Their pride was damaged by Jesus who had surpassed what their religion and their leaders could do.
What was the blind man’s testimony about Jesus? (15,17)
ANSWER:
Joh 9:15 Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. "He put mud on my eyes," the man replied, "and I washed, and now I see."
Joh 9:17 Finally they turned again to the blind man, "What have you to say about him? It was your eyes he opened." The man replied, "He is a prophet."
“He put mud on my eyes, and I washed, and now I see.” (15)
His testimony about God’s work of grace in his life was chronological, based on facts, and concise.
He remained thankful to his healer for the grace he received.
“He is a prophet.” (17)
He was bold. He had courage to be against the Pharisees’ unbelief.
He stood firmly on Jesus’ side.
The man’s spiritual eyes opened progressively to who Jesus is:
He stated at first, “The man they call Jesus...” (11)
Then he confessed, “He is a prophet.” (17).
He confessed Jesus as one worthy of allegiance, “Do you want to become his disciples, too?" (27).
Then he confessed Jesus as one “from God” (33).
The man progressively received light from the miracle, reasoning from this miracle that his healer was from God -- that his origin was from above (30-33; 10:25; 14:11).
Finally, he acknowledged Jesus as his “Lord” (the Son of Man, his Messiah and King) (38).
Then he worshipped him as his God (38).
Application:
Do you have a clear testimony about Jesus and his work in your life which is chronological, based on facts and concise?
We should always be prepared to give an answer or reasons to everyone who asks us (1Pe 3:15)
Is your understanding about Jesus growing?
Or Are you content with what you have right now?
Do you have courage to testify about Jesus against the belief of people who are in high position?
Why were the Pharisees divided in their opinion about Jesus? (16)
ANSWER:
Joh 9:16 Some of the Pharisees said, "This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath." But others asked, "How can a sinner do such miraculous signs?" So they were divided.
Because Jesus did this healing work on a Sabbath.
Group One: Jesus is not from God.
Major premise: All people from God keep the Sabbath.
Minor premise: Jesus did not keep the Sabbath.
Conclusion: Therefore, Jesus cannot be from God.
Group Two: Jesus is from God.
Major premise: Only people from God can open the eyes of the blind.
Minor premise: Jesus opened the eyes of the blind.
Conclusion: Therefore, Jesus must be from God.
What is your opinion about Jesus?
Jesus opened the eyes of a man born blind. It is an undeniable historical fact.
This healing is scientifically impossible. Only God can do such things.
Therefore, Jesus must be God.
Jesus had to abide by the law as one born under law (Gal 4:4).
Yet Jesus did not break the law by healing on the Sabbath.
The Sabbath is the day to glorify God and enjoy him (Isa 58:13; Psa 118:24).
The Sabbath is the day for man to find spiritual rest through the worship and service of God (Mk 2:27).
The Sabbath is the day to do good for the glory of God (Hos 6:6; Joh 7:23; Mk 3:4).
Jesus’ miracle brought glory to God and great benefit to the man.
Therefore, Jesus did not break the Sabbath.
2. Read verses 18-23.
ANSWER:
Joh 9:18-23 The Jews still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they sent for the man's parents. 19 "Is this your son?" they asked. "Is this the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see?" 20 "We know he is our son," the parents answered, "and we know he was born blind. 21 But how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don't know. Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself." 22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews, for already the Jews had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Christ would be put out of the synagogue. 23 That was why his parents said, "He is of age; ask him."
Why did the Jews send for the man’s parents? (18)
ANSWER:
Joh 9:18 The Jews still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they sent for the man's parents.
Because of their willful unbelief.
Jesus had performed a fantastic messianic sign miracle by healing this man – a miracle which clearly identified him as the Messiah (Isa 29:18; 35:5; 42:6-7, 16; cf. Isa 61:1). But the Jews did not like the brilliant light from this miracle. They did not want to see the light concerning the divine origin of the man's healing as well as the origin of Him who did it (Joh 9:29; 10:38; 14:11). They were determined to shut their eyes to the light of truth and shut their ears and disbelieve in Jesus as the Messiah (Acts 7:51).
They could not believe what the blind man said.
They could not believe what Jesus did.
They could not believe that Jesus came from God.
They could not believe that Jesus was the promised Messiah.
The characteristics of unbelief
Unbelievers demand evidences more and more and never accept the facts.
Even if they have more evidences, they would not accept them anyway.
Unbelievers are committed to their own belief system and reject Jesus.
The Pharisees believed that Jesus was not from God (demon possessed).
They did not want to change their beliefs.
Unbelief is the product of a heart darkened by the love of sin, by enmity toward God and his truth (Joh 1:5; 3:19-20; 8:47a; Col 1:21; Ro 8:7).
Examples of unbelief: Atheist.
Even if we provide millions of evidences to prove that evolution cannot be true scientifically.
Even if we provide billions of evidences to prove that the universe was created by God.
Atheists would not accept any of truthful evidences and logical conclusions.
Atheists would reject all of them.
Atheists would not believe them.
Not because of lack of evidence but because of their own belief/desires.
Not because of lack of evidence but because evidence itself cannot induce a person to savingly believe (Joh 1:13; 3:3; 6:44, 63).
Atheists do not want to believe in God.
Atheists do not want to change their own belief system.
The problem is not the lack of evidence but a love of darkness (Joh 10:25-26; 12:37; Luk 16:31; 1Ki 11:9).
What questions did the Jews ask his parents? (19)
ANSWER:
Joh 9:19 "Is this your son?" they asked. "Is this the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see?"
(See the underlined text above).
What questions did the parents answer and what question didn’t they answer? (20-23)
ANSWER:
Joh 9:20-23 "We know he is our son," the parents answered, "and we know he was born blind. 21 But how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don't know. Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself." 22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews, for already the Jews had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Christ would be put out of the synagogue. 23 That was why his parents said, "He is of age; ask him."
They answered the question, “Is this your son?” (19a) with
“We know he is our son” (20a).
They answered the question, “Is this the one you say was born blind?” (19b) with
“we know he was born blind” (20b).
They did not answer the question, “How is it that now he can see?” (19c). They, instead, claimed:
We don't know how he can see now.
We don't know who opened his eyes.
They said, “Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself.” (21)
Why? (22)
ANSWER:
Joh 9:22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews, for already the Jews had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Christ would be put out of the synagogue.
(See the underlined text above).
The Jews already decided to put believers out of the synagogue.
His parents ought to have given thanks to the one who healed their beloved son – for having freed them from years of guilt for having a son born blind.
They did not stand on the side of truth because their fear of excommunication.
They did not even stand on the side of their own son.
Considerations from Parents’ behaviors.
True faith risks their lives/economic loss for the truth (Ro 8:17, 37; Php 1:29)
True faith overcomes the fear/the world/evil one (1Jn 5:5; 2:14).
Example: Jesus, Apostles, Early Christians, forefathers in Hebrews 11
3. Read verses 24-34.
ANSWER:
Joh 9:24-34 A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. "Give glory to God," they said. "We know this man is a sinner." 25 He replied, "Whether he is a sinner or not, I don't know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!" 26 Then they asked him, "What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?" 27 He answered, "I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples, too?" 28 Then they hurled insults at him and said, "You are this fellow's disciple! We are disciples of Moses! 29 We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don't even know where he comes from." 30 The man answered, "Now that is remarkable! You don't know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does his will. 32 Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing." 34 To this they replied, "You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!" And they threw him out.
What did the Jews want the man to say about Jesus? (24)
ANSWER:
Joh 9:24 A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. "Give glory to God," they said. "We know this man is a sinner."
They pressed him to denounce Jesus as a “sinner” (lawbreaker).
They said, “Give glory to God”
In view of Jos 7:19, the phrase “give glory to God” was probably an oath formula to solemnly charge a person concealing his sin to “come clean” and make a full confession. Jos 7:19 reads, “Then Joshua said to Achan, "My son, give glory to the LORD, the God of Israel, and give him the praise. Tell me what you have done; do not hide it from me."”
With ignorance, with unbelief, they claimed that what they were doing was for the glory of God.
How deceitful and wicked our hearts are (Jer 17:9; Ecc 9:3).
“We know this man is a sinner”
They claimed that Jesus was a “sinner” – that he was not from God, not the Messiah.
They claimed to be absolutely certain of this based on the fact that he broke the Sabbath law. They said, “We know”.
Their supposed knowledge of Jesus as a sinner was nothing more than a determined effort to suppress the truth by means of quibbling about the law.
They came to this conclusion because of their jealousy, pride and ignorance.
They had firmly decided to shut their eyes to the light of truth revealed by the sign-miracle (41b).
On what ground did he withstand their pressure? (25)
ANSWER:
Joh 9:25 He replied, "Whether he is a sinner or not, I don't know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!"
He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don't know.”
The issue of whether Jesus was a sinner or not for having broken the Sabbath law was a matter of subjective interpretation.
He brushed this issue aside as something not worthy of his consideration – a triviality of no significance to him. A point not worth arguing about.
He implied that the issue was of no significance compared to the one great truth about which he was absolutely certain.
He stated, “One thing I do know”
He held on to his one and only personal experience.
He held on to the one truth of great personal significance for which he was so grateful.
His knowledge was based on his personal experience.
His knowledge was based on one historical, personal fact/event.
His knowledge demolished the Jews’ supposed knowledge. Their claim, “we know this man is a sinner,” was demolished by his counter-claim, “One thing I do know”. The darkness (falsehood, deception, quibbling) could not stand up against the bright light of truth from the miracle of his healing (Joh 1:5).
How important it is to hold onto the specific fact/event to experience the grace of Jesus.
We should hold onto this one thing and be faithful to Jesus.
God will bless our faithfulness.
“I was blind but now I see!”
This was his personal experience/fact.
His conclusion was an objective fact, not a subjective interpretation.
His conclusion was unshakable because it was based on fact.
I cannot deny the fact that I can see now.
I cannot deny the fact that Jesus opened my eyes.
This man held on to the truth and the grace he received from Jesus against the tremendous pressure mustered by the religious authorities.
This man’s courage and boldness stands out in contrast with his parent’s cowardliness (20-23).
This man who was healed at the Pool of Siloam also stands in contrast with the man healed at the Pool of Bethesda in chapter 5. One had the gratitude and courage to stand on Jesus’ side to the end at great personal cost and the other immediately caved in to pressure and later betrayed Jesus by reporting him to the authorities (Joh 5:11, 15).
Application.
What is the one undeniable thing Jesus did for you – the one objective fact by which you know that you have received your sight? This man did not say “I believe” but “I know”. Jesus’ miracle was an objective truth which he could see. Do you know whether you have received the light of life (8:12)? Can you discern by the light of the Spirit the undeniable fruits in your life of Jesus’ work of salvation? (Joh 21:17; 1Jn 3:18-20; 2:3, 5-6; 3:24)
When our faith is challenged, how precious it is that we should have an unshakable rock foundation of our faith – a rock by which we know and not just believe that Christ is risen and that his Spirit is living within us. The experience of the power of the Truth, the Risen Lord, who sets us free from that sin which once held us in slavery and by which we now are empowered to love him is an undeniable bright light by which we know (really knowing what we know) and by which the whole world is shown that Christ is risen (Joh 15:8, 13:35, 1Jn 3:16).
How did the man challenge the Jews? (27)
ANSWER:
Joh 9:27 He answered, "I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples, too?"
(See the underlined text above).
He sarcastically insinuated that their inquiry was an indication that they wanted to become Jesus’ disciples too. (This is quite humorous.)
He was exasperated.
He told them already how his eyes were opened.
Their incessant questioning exhausted his patience.
The Jews did not listen.
Their spiritual ears, eyes and heart were non-functional. As children of the devil, they could not hear, see and understand the truth about Jesus (Joh 8:47a; Pro 20:12; Jer 24:7; Deu 29:4).
He esteemed Jesus as one worthy of allegiance.
He declared himself to be Jesus’ disciple.
How did they insult the man and Jesus? (28-29)
ANSWER:
Joh 9:28-29 Then they hurled insults at him and said, "You are this fellow's disciple! We are disciples of Moses! 29 We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don't even know where he comes from."
They scornfully called Jesus “this fellow” (i.e., a nobody, good-for-nothing, loser, turkey, schmuck).
Jesus was truly despised and rejected, having no outward beauty and nothing outwardly to esteem (Joh 1:10-11; Isa 53:2-3; Joh 7:7).
They looked down on the ex-blind man for being a disciple of Jesus rather than of Moses.
They esteemed Moses as one whom God spoke to directly.
They thought highly of themselves for being Moses’ disciples.
Ironically, they took pride in being “disciples” of Moses but yet showed themselves to be unteachable (34; Pro 1:7; 9:8).
They looked down on Jesus because they did not know his origin: “we don't even know where he comes from” (29).
They contradicted themselves. They were teaching people of Jerusalem not to believe in Jesus because, “when the Christ comes, no one will know where he is from” (7:27). Their refusal to believe in him was thusly an illogical, contradictory, and obstinant hostility toward the light of truth.
What was this man’s final testimony about Jesus? (30-33)
ANSWER:
Joh 9:30-33 The man answered, "Now that is remarkable! You don't know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does his will. 32 Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing."
The Blind man’s conclusion: (30)
He opened my eyes. Therefore, he came from God.
Their pressure on this man had an effect on him opposite of what they intended: He took a clear stand on the truth, on Jesus’ side.
He was amazed by their obstinant refusal to believe.
He said their stubbornness was “remarkable” (30). The word is translated alternatively, “astonishing” (AMP) or “amazing” (HCSB, ISV).
Compelling evidence stood right before their eyes.
Their faith that Jesus was a sinner was more amazing than the miracle of his own healing!
We must concede that unbelievers also have remarkable faith.
God gave this uneducated former beggar wisdom and boldness
These learned Jewish rabbis could not refute his logic
He demolished their argument against Jesus that his origin was unknown.
He demolished their argument, “We know this man is a sinner” (24) and, thus, he stated, “We know that God does not listen to sinners” (31).
The work of God was, indeed, marvelously displayed in his life (3) by his boldness to defend the one to whom he owed great thanks.
The Blind man’s logic (31).
Main premise: God listens to the godly man who does his will (31).
Minor Premise: Jesus opened my blind eyes.
Conclusion:
Jesus is a godly man. (Jesus is not a sinner.)
Jesus must be from God.
Another line of argument: (32-33).
Main premise
Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind.
(Man cannot do that – only God can).
Minor Premise: Jesus opened my eyes.
Conclusion:
Jesus must be from God. (If Jesus was not from God, he could not open my eyes)
What did the Jews do to this man? (34)
ANSWER:
Joh 9:34 To this they replied, "You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!" And they threw him out.
They insulted him and threw him out of the synagogue – excommunicated him.
Just as the man opened his eyes progressively to the truth, so there was a progression in the Jew’ efforts to shut their eyes to the truth; they became more vicious in their efforts to suppress the truth:
They refused to accept the fact that a miracle had taken place (18).
They intimidated witnesses (19, 22, 24).
They verbally abused the man, calling him dirty names (28).
They physically abused him, throwing him out of the building (34).
They socially/economically abused him: The Jews unsynagogued him.
The Jews showed their deep pride by excommunicating the healed man.
The Jews’ pride did not allow them to learn from the ex-blind beggar.
They even refused to learn from Jesus who knows everything.
This shows their lofty hearts.
How hard it is for us to learn from someone who is less educated than us.
We should be humble, ready to learn from anyone when they speak the truth.
We should not be arrogant, refusing to learn from others, even from our children.
He had to pay a big price in order to be faithful to Jesus (34)
It cost him his social/economic status.
Being unsynagogued was the most serious punishment.
Application.
How much cost have you paid in order to be faithful to Jesus?
If you did not pay any cost to be faithful to Jesus as a disciple, something is wrong (2Ti 3:12).
Are you ready to pay any cost for Jesus?
4. Read verses 35-41.
ANSWER:
Joh 9:35-41 Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" 36 "Who is he, sir?" the man asked. "Tell me so that I may believe in him." 37 Jesus said, "You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you." 38 Then the man said, "Lord, I believe," and he worshiped him. 39 Jesus said, "For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind." 40 Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, "What? Are we blind too?" 41 Jesus said, "If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.
How did Jesus help him? (35,37)
ANSWER:
Joh 9:35 Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?"
Joh 9:37 Jesus said, "You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you."
Jesus found him
Jesus, the Good Shepherd, searched and found his sheep.
He initiated to save this man.
We the sheep do not find him but he finds us (Joh 1:48, 43; 6:70).
Jesus asked him, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” (35)
The Son of Man is a title for the Messiah (Dan 7:13; Psa 80:17; Rev 1:13).
Jesus did not help him with his practical difficulties. Why not?
Jesus gave him the true compensation for his loss.
This man showed by his loyalty how much he valued the truth and was grateful to his healer. This man, having paid a high cost to hold to the grace and truth he received and walk by its light, showed himself as a lover of Jesus and as worthy of more revelation (Mat 13:12; 1Sa 2:30). Those who are God’s possession love Jesus and hold his truth (Joh 8:42; 14:15) and, to those who thusly love him, Jesus shows himself (Joh 14:21). God is pleased to reveal the light of truth to those whose hearts are committed to seek the truth (Joh 7:17).
How important is it to believe in Jesus, more important than a comfortable life.
Jesus revealed himself as the Messiah to this man (37)
You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.
He did not reveal himself to other people.
But, in this case, he revealed himself to this man very clearly.
Application:
Why didn’t Jesus help this man out with his economic situation, social status?
Because believing in Jesus is more important than living comfortable life here on earth.
Because it is a life and death matter.
Why did Jesus reveal himself clearly to this man but not to others?
It is the grace of God, sovereignty of God.
It is unfathomable to us.
We just give thanks to God with all our hearts.
We just proclaim the grace of God to others because of this grace of God.
What was his response to Jesus’ words? (36,38)
ANSWER:
Joh 9:36 "Who is he, sir?" the man asked. "Tell me so that I may believe in him."
Joh 9:38 Then the man said, "Lord, I believe," and he worshiped him.
He asked, “Who is he?” (36a)
The ex-blinded man did not know who the Messiah was.
He did not know that Jesus was the Messiah.
He did not worry about his future: How to get a job or marry or about his social outcast status.
He wanted to know who the Messiah was.
He said, “Tell me so that I may believe in him” (36b).
He was really ready to believe in the Messiah.
He was waiting for the Messiah all his life.
He was willing to believe in him.
He said, “Lord, I believe” (38a).
He called Jesus “Lord”.
He confessed his faith in Jesus.
(Public) confession of faith is extremely important.
He worshiped him (38b).
The healed man worshipped Jesus.
He saw the deity of Jesus; he saw Jesus as the God-man (Joh 1:14, 51).
His act was incredible. It is unthinkable for a Jew to worship a man. According to the strict monotheistic mindset of the Jews, for him to worship Jesus, a man, was an outrageous idolatrous violation of the first commandment.
And Jesus received the worship.
This is something that no man or angel in the Bible does.
This man, who could no longer worship in the synagogue, found his place of worship at Jesus’ feet.
How did this blind man come to truly see?
ANSWER:
Through Jesus who now opened his spiritual eyes.
Jesus, who opened his physical eyes, now opened his spiritual eyes.
Jesus gave him sight by the Spirit and through his healing word, “You have now seen him” (Joh 4:26; 6:63).
He gave the man light by which he could see the glory of Jesus his Messiah and King who was worthy of worship (Dan 7:13-14).
God seeks to make true worshipers (Joh 4:23) by revealing of himself and of his glory through Jesus (Joh 14:21).
For what did Jesus come into this world? (39)
ANSWER:
Joh 9:39 Jesus said, "For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind."
He came to bring “judgment” in the sense of separating people into two distinct groups. This judgment was both the reason and the result of his coming into the world as the light of the world. And yet Jesus came with the heart and purpose of saving the whole world (Joh 3:16; 12:47).
Note: There is a setting change here between verses 38 and 39. Jesus is no longer speaking to the blind man in private but to a larger audience which includes the Pharisees (40).
He came “so that the blind will see” (39).
He came as the Light of the world for the purpose of giving spiritual light to the blind to make them see spiritually.
Those who humbly admit their spiritual blindness can find sight in Jesus.
Jesus makes them see.
The blind man is the example of one whom Jesus came to make see.
He came so that “those who see will become blind”
He came for the purpose of exposing the blindness of those who falsely claim to have spiritual sight.
His brilliant light has the effect of exposing their love of darkness and their hatred of the truth.
The blindness of the religious leaders, for example, became so amazingly obvious to the ex-blind man (30). Their ridiculous, arrogant determination to shut their eyes to the truth was “remarkable” to him.
They refused to believe him because they knew where he was from and now they claim to not know where he is from (29; 7:27).
How did the Pharisees become blind? (40-41)
ANSWER:
Joh 9:40-41 Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, "What? Are we blind too?" 41 Jesus said, "If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.
The Pharisees asked, “What? Are we blind too?” (40)
They rejected Jesus’ comment about their blindness.
They were confident in their own physical and spiritual sight; they were self-righteous. They claimed to know the way of salvation (Ro 2:19-20). They believed that they had eternal life through the Scriptures (Joh 5:39).
But they were spiritually blind because they could not see the Son of God right in front of them.
“If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin,” was Jesus’ reply (41a).
They were not “blind” in the sense of have no knowledge about what they were doing. Instead, they knew what the truth was and were willfully and arrogantly shutting their eyes tightly against that light because they hated it.
If they had acted in ignorance, unaware that it was wrong, they would not be guilty of sin. But the truth was now made plain to them by Jesus who came as the light of the world.
They were guilty of sin for knowingly shutting their eyes to the light of truth that was furnished by the miracle he performed; they were guilty of sin for having rejected the light of his words (Joh 15:22-25)
They were guilty for trying to extinguish the light of truth by excommunicating an innocent man who insisted on telling them they were wrong. And they would be guilty of sin for trying to extinguish the light of the world on the cross – only to glorify him all the more.
If the Pharisees would admit to their spiritual blindness,
If they knew their lost state and darkened condition in sin, they would cry out for salvation, light.
Then, they could be forgiven and no longer be guilty of sin.
“but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains” (41b)
They not only shut their eyes to the light of truth Jesus revealed but also claimed to be wise and able to see (Pro 26:12; Gal 6:3-4). They claimed to live according to the brightness of the Law for the glory of God (24, 28-29). By the supposed superior light they had from Moses, they claimed to know that Jesus was a “sinner” – a lawbreaker – and denied that he was their Messiah (24).
They were proud and satisfied with their sinfulness and darkness (Joh 3:19-20)
They would not repent of their sins. They instead rejected Jesus.
Therefore, they would not be forgiven. Their sin remains.
Conclusion: We were all spiritually blind from birth. When we were in spiritual darkness, Jesus came to us and made us to be healed and to be born again so that we can see spiritually. This is an amazing grace of God. We must hold on to one thing we know which Jesus has done for us. We must worship him even in the times of tribulation or trials. May God bless us to know Jesus more and more and to worship him as our Lord and Savior!
The End.
This reference to excommunication from the Jewish synagogue for “anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Christ” (22) was probably a temporary and local decision. Otherwise, it would appear strange to find Christians in the Jewish synagogues later in Acts (see Acts 22:5). Some scholars have claimed that this mention of excommunication is anachronistic. The NET Bible states, “This reference to excommunication from the Jewish synagogue for those who had made some sort of confession about Jesus being the Messiah is dismissed as anachronistic by some (e.g., Barrett) and nonhistorical by others. In later Jewish practice there were at least two forms of excommunication: a temporary ban for thirty days, and a permanent ban. But whether these applied in NT times is far from certain. There is no substantial evidence for a formal ban on Christians until later than this Gospel could possibly have been written. This may be a reference to some form of excommunication adopted as a contingency to deal with those who were proclaiming Jesus to be the Messiah. If so, there is no other record of the procedure than here. It was probably local, limited to the area around Jerusalem.” (Biblical Studies Press, New English Translation, 2006) Morris also states, “It seems best to accept the evidence of John that some form of excommunication was in use at this time as a means of opposing Jesus and all that He stood for, but that it was not a firm policy, permanently binding... “Had agreed already” does not necessarily indicate a formal decree of the Sanhedrin. It could well mean that some of the leading men had agreed among themselves to take action...” (Leon Morris, The Gospel According to John, Pg 488). Freeman states, “According to the Talmud and the rabbins there were two, and perhaps three, grades of excommunication among the Jews. The first was called niddin, and those on whom it was pronounced were not permitted for thirty days to have any communication with any person save at a distance of four cubits. They were not prohibited from attending public worship, though they could not during the thirty days enter the temple by the ordinary gate. They were not allowed during that time to shave, and were required to wear garments of mourning. The second was called cherem, and was pronounced on those who remained contumacious [stubbornly rebellious] under the first. It was of greater severity than the other, and required the presence of at least ten members of the congregation to make it valid. The offender was formally cursed, was excluded from all intercourse with other people, and was prohibited from entering the temple or a synagogue. The third was called shammatha, and was inflicted on those who persisted in their contumacy. By this they were cut off from all connection with the Jewish people, and were consigned to utter perdition. It is not clear, however, that there was any real distinction between the second and third grades here noted. Lightfoot suggests (in Horce Hrbraicce, on 1 Cor. v, 5) that the penalty of excommunication was probably inflicted for those faults for which neither the law nor tradition made any certain provision. The Talmud assigns as the two general causes of excommunication, money and epicurism. The first refers to those who refused to pay the moneys which the court directed them to pay; and the second refers to those who despised the word of God or of the scribes. Some rabbinical writers enumerate twenty-four different offenses for which excommunication was inflicted, some of them being frivolous in the extreme...” (James M. Freeman, Hand-book of Bible manners and customs, Pg 427)
The NIV text note on verse 24 states, “A solemn charge to tell the truth (see Joshua 7:19)” The NET Bible text note on verse 24 also states, “Grk “Give glory to God” (an idiomatic formula used in placing someone under oath to tell the truth).” Nevertheless, there are objections to this view. Some argue that the Jews were literally charging him to give the glory for his healing directly to God and not to Jesus (incorrectly assuming they can be separated). “Luthardt, Lampe, and others rightly observe that this adjuration theory, though it suits Jos 7:19, does not fit 1Sa 6:5 or Jer 12:16, and that the Pharisees rather wished the man to give glory direct to God, and not to Jesus. They implied that their action was dictated by zeal for the honor of God, and tempted the man to disclaim the mediation of Divine grace through the lips and at the will of Jesus.” (Spence, H. D. M., The Pulpit Commentary, Exposition on John 9:24) Morris also states, “Alternatively, the saying may imply that all Jesus did was put clay on the man’s eyes and tell him to wash. No glory is due for that. Glory is due rather to God who wrought the miracle. Jesus had nothing to do with it, and the man should ascribe the glory where it is due (cf. Phillips: “You should give God the glory for what has happened to you”).” (Leon Morris, The Gospel According to John, Pg 490).
“In larger towns, a body of elders (from seven to twenty-three men) formed the Sanhedrin or the governing body of the synagogue. This body served as a court, which adjudicated religious and even sometimes civil affairs. It could sentence flogging, though its highest form of punishment was excommunication from the Jewish community (herem).” (John H. Sailhamer, Old Testament History)
Too much significance should not be assigned to the word “Lord” here in verse 38. This word comes from G2962 κύριος kurios (koo'-ree-os), the same word which was translated “sir” in verse 36. (Jonathan Kristen Mickelson, Mickelson's Enhanced Strong's Greek and Hebrew Dictionaries)
The NET Bible text note states, “Some early and important witnesses (Ì75 א* W b sams ac2 mf) lack the words, “He said, ‘Lord, I believe,’ and he worshiped him. Jesus said,” (vv. 38-39a). This is weighty evidence for the omission of these words. It is difficult to overstate the value of Ì75 here, since it is the only currently available papyrus ms extant for the text of John 9:38-39. Further, א is an important and early Alexandrian witness for the omission. The versional testimony and codex W also give strong support to the omission. Nearly all other mss, however, include these words. The omission may have been occasioned by parablepsis (both vv. 37 and 39 begin with “Jesus said to him”), though it is difficult to account for such an error across such a wide variety of witnesses. On the other hand, the longer reading appears to be motivated by liturgical concerns (so R. E. Brown, John [AB], 1:375), since the verb προσκυνέω (proskunew, “I worship”) is used in John 4:20-25 of worshiping God, and again with the same sense in 12:20. If these words were authentic here, this would be the only place in John’s Gospel where Jesus is the explicit object of προσκυνέω. Even if these words are not authentic, such an omission would nevertheless hardly diminish John’s high Christology (cf. 1:1; 5:18-23; 14:6-10; 20:28), nor the implicit worship of him by Thomas (20:28). Nevertheless, a decision is difficult, and the included words may reflect a very early tradition about the blind man’s response to Jesus.” (Biblical Studies Press, New English Translation, 2006)
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