MPV Commentary

Followed on It.

1-5. As Jesus passed by, he saw a man who was blind from birth and sat begging (Joh 9:8).

2. The Jews asked, "Who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" They were not asking about a past life, but rather suggesting that sin had caused the blindness.

3. Jesus replied, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," indicating that the cause of the blindness was not in himself or his family, but rather to demonstrate God's works through his healing.

4. Jesus said, "I must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work." This statement reveals several important truths: (1) Jesus had a specific mission and program laid out for him by God; (2) all he did was part of God's plan; (3) each action had its own time and place; (4) if he failed to complete his mission, it would be marred and delayed. He acted under these considerations as man.

5. Jesus said, "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." This statement emphasizes that Jesus' role as the source of spiritual light was not limited to this life, but rather a demonstration of his glory during his earthly ministry.

6-7. Jesus spat on the ground, made clay from it, and anointed the blind man's eyes with it. These actions were symbolic and did not contribute to the healing itself (see Mr 6:13 and Joh 7:33).

7. Jesus sent the man to wash in the pool of Siloam, which was a symbolical name bearing testimony to him who was sent to do what it only symbolized.

8-15. The neighbors identified the newly seeing man with the long-known blind beggar, and they brought him before the Pharisees.

16-17. Some said, "This man is not from God," while others defended Jesus as a prophet (Joh 5:9; Joh 5:16).

18-23. The Jews did not believe that the man was born blind until they called his parents to testify. However, the parents prevaricated by saying they "knew not who had opened his eyes" because they feared being put out of the synagogue.

24-34. Some people said, "Give God the praise; we know that this man is a sinner," implying that Jesus' actions were unworthy of praise because he was a sinner.

25. The healed man replied, "Whether he be a sinner or no, I don't know. One thing I do know: I was blind, but now I see." He refused to speculate about Jesus' character, focusing instead on the fact that his eyes had been opened.

26-27. The Pharisees asked him repeatedly what Jesus had done for him, hoping to ensnare him with their questions. However, the man responded with irony, saying, "I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye again hear me?" He then asked them if they wanted to become his disciples.

28-30. The Pharisees retorted that they were Moses' followers, but who was this upstart Jesus? The healed man responded with a powerful argument, saying, "Herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes." He pointed out the inconsistency in their claims about Jesus.

31. The Pharisees cast him out, judicially condemning him for his association with Jesus.

32-33. The man's friends likely expressed surprise that Jesus could perform such a miracle without protecting his patient from persecution. However, the man was convinced that if Jesus were not of God, he would be unable to do anything (Joh 9:33).

34. The man may have recalled Isaiah 66:5 and Psalm 69:6-7, which spoke of those who wait on God being ashamed for his sake.

35-38. Jesus heard about the man's expulsion and found him by accident. He asked, "Dost thou believe on the Son of God?" This question was meant to lead the man into a deeper understanding of Jesus' identity.

36. The man replied, "Who is he, Lord, that I may believe on him?" His response was affirmative and believing by anticipation.

37-38. Jesus said, "Thou hast both seen him," referring to his new sight and ability to gaze upon the Light of the world. The man responded with faith and worship, expressing a deep sense of adoration for Jesus.

39-41. Jesus said that those who see might be made blind, while those who are blind might see (Lu 4:18). He also asked the Pharisees if they were blind to their own spiritual condition, implying that their pride and rage had led them to reject him.