Bob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - John 9

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Bob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - John 9


Verse Commentaries:



Chapter Level Commentary:
John 9

PARAGRAPH DIVISIONS OF MODERN TRANSLATIONS

UBS4 NKJV NRSV TEV NJB
The Healing of a Man Born Blind A Man Born Blind Receives Sight Jesus Manifests Himself as the Light of Life Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind The Cure of the Man Born Blind Joh_9:1-12 Joh_9:1-12 Joh_9:1-12 Joh_9:1-2 Joh_9:1-5 Joh_9:3-5 Joh_9:6-7 Joh_9:6-7 Joh_9:8 Joh_9:8-12 Joh_9:9 a Joh_9:9 b Joh_9:10 Joh_9:11 Joh_9:12 a Joh_9:12 b The Pharisees Investigate the Healing The Pharisees Excommunicate the Healed Man The Pharisees Investigate the Healing Joh_9:13-17 Joh_9:13-34 Joh_9:13-17 Joh_9:13-15 Joh_9:13-17 Joh_9:16 a Joh_9:16 b Joh_9:17 a Joh_9:17 b Joh_9:18-23 Joh_9:18-23 Joh_9:18-19 Joh_9:18-23 Joh_9:20-23 Joh_9:24-34 Joh_9:24-34 Joh_9:24 Joh_9:24-34 Joh_9:25 Joh_9:26 Joh_9:27 Joh_9:28-29 Joh_9:30-33 Joh_9:34 Spiritual Blindness True Vision and True Blindness Spiritual Blindness Joh_9:35-39 Joh_9:35-41 Joh_9:35-41 Joh_9:35 Joh_9:35-39 Joh_9:36 Joh_9:37 Joh_9:37 Joh_9:39 Joh_9:40-41 Joh_9:40 Joh_9:40-41 Joh_9:41 READING CYCLE THREE

FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT THE PARAGRAPH LEVEL

This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects. Compare your subject divisions with the five modern translations. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.

1. First paragraph

2. Second paragraph

3. Third paragraph

4. Etc.



CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS TO Joh_9:1-41

A. Healing of the blind, a very frequent miracle in Jesus' ministry, is surprisingly accomplished by several different techniques.



B. Healing of the blind was a Messianic sign (cf. Isa_29:18; Isa_35:5; Isa_42:7; Mat_11:5). The significance of these healings is seen in the immediate context of Jesus' statement that He was the Light of the world (cf. Joh_8:12; Joh_9:5). The Jews wanted a sign; they had several! Only YHWH can open eyes!



C. This chapter is an acted-out parable of the physical blindness of a man and the spiritual blindness of the Pharisees (cf. Joh_9:39-41; Mat_6:23).



DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.

1. Does this chapter deal primarily with physical healing or spiritual healing? Physical blindness or spiritual blindness?

2. How could this man have sinned before he was born?

3. At what point in this chapter does the man receive salvation?

4. Did Jesus come into the world to judge the world or to save the world?

5. Explain the background of the term "Son of Man."

6. List the points of irony in the blind man's responses to the Jewish leaders.