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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadCambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - John 9:39 - 9:39
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39. καὶ εἶπ. ὁ Ἰ. There is no need to make a break in the narrative and refer these words to a subsequent occasion. This is not natural. Rather it is the sight of the man prostrate at His feet, endowed now with sight both in body and soul, that moves Christ to say what follows. His words convey His own authority for finding a symbolical meaning in His miracles. They are addressed to the bystanders generally, among whom are some of the Pharisees.
εἰς κρίμα. Κρίμα occurs nowhere else in this Gospel. As distinct from κρίσις, the act of judging (Joh 5:22; Joh 5:24; Joh 5:27; Joh 5:30), it signifies the result, a sentence or decision (Mat 7:2; Mar 12:40; Rom 2:2-3, &c.). Christ came not to judge, but to save (Joh 3:17, Joh 8:15); but judgment was the inevitable result of His coming, for those who rejected Him passed sentence on themselves (Joh 3:19). see on Joh 1:9 and Joh 18:37. The ἐγώ is emphatic; I, the Light of the world (Joh 9:5), I, the Son of God (Joh 9:35). see on Joh 11:27.
οἱ μὴ βλέπ. They who are conscious of their own blindness, who know their deficiencies; like ‘they that are sick’ and ‘sinners’ in Mat 9:12-13, and ‘babes’ in Mat 11:25. This man was aware of his spiritual blindness when he asked, ‘Who is He then, that I may believe on Him?’ Βλέπωσιν means may see, may pass from the darkness of which they are conscious, to light and truth.
οἱ βλέπ. They who fancy they see, who pride themselves on their superior insight and knowledge, and wish to dictate to others; like ‘they that be whole,’ and ‘righteous’ in Mat 9:12-13, and ‘the wise and prudent’ in Mat 11:25. These Pharisees shewed this proud self-confidence when they declared, ‘we know that this man is a sinner,’ and asked ‘Dost thou teach us?’
τυφλοὶ γένωνται. May become blind: much stronger than μὴ βλέπωσιν. Οἱ μὴ βλ. can see, but do not; οἱ τυφλοί cannot see. These self-satisfied Pharisees must pass from fancied light into real darkness (Isa 6:10).