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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - John 9:35 - 9:41
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Joh_9:35-41
35Jesus heard that they had put him out, and finding him, He said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" 36He answered, "Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?" 37Jesus said to him, "You have both seen Him, and He is the one who is talking with you." 38And he said, "Lord, I believe." And he worshiped Him. 39And Jesus said, "For judgment I came into this world, so that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may become blind." 40Those of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these things and said to Him, "We are not blind too, are we?" 41Jesus said to them, "If you were blind, you would have no sin; but since you say, 'We see,' your sin remains."
Joh_9:35
NASB, NRSV,
TEV, NJB "'Do you believe in the Son of Man?"
NKJV "'Do you believe in the Son of God?"
The ancient Greek uncial manuscripts A and L have "Son of God," but P66, P75, à , B, D, and W have "Son of Man." From John's usage and the manuscript evidence "Son of Man" is a far more appropriate, and probably original. The UBS4 gives "man" an "A" rating (certain). The question grammatically expects a "yes" answer.
Joh_9:36
NASB, NKJV,"Lord"
NRSV, TEV,
NJB "Sir"
We can see the theological development of the faith of this man within the chapter, as the man moves from calling Jesus
1. a man (Joh_9:11)
2. to a prophet (Joh_9:17)
3. to the honorific title of "Sir" (Joh_9:36)
4. to "Lord," in the full theological usage of this term (Joh_9:38)
The Greek word is the same in both Joh_9:36; Joh_9:38. Only context can determine the connotation. See hyperlink at Joh_6:20. The Greek Kurios can reflect the Hebrew Adon, which became an oral substitute for YHWH.
Joh_9:38 This is the climax of the account, as far as the salvation of the healed man is concerned. It is surprising that this verse is missing from a few ancient Greek manuscripts (P75, à , W) and the Diatessaron (an early combination of the four Gospels). It does contain two rare terms: (1) the phrase "he said" occurs only here and Joh_1:23 and (2) the term "he worshiped" occurs only here in John. It is included in most modern translations.
Joh_9:39 "For judgment I came into this world" This seems to be in line with Joh_5:22; Joh_5:27 which speaks of end-time (eschatological) judgement. However, this seems to contradict Joh_3:17-21 and Joh_12:47-48. This can be reconciled by the fact that Jesus came for the purpose of redemption, but humans who reject His offer automatically judge themselves.
▣ "that those who do not see may see; and that those who see may become blind" This was a double fulfillment of prophecy especially from Isaiah.
1. the proud Israelite will not understand God's message (cf. Isa_6:10; Isa_42:18-19; Isa_43:8; Jer_5:21; Eze_12:2)
2. the poor, outcast, physically affected who are repentant and humble will understand (cf. Isa_29:18; Isa_32:3-4; Isa_35:5; Isa_42:7; Isa_42:16)
Jesus is the light of the world for all who choose to see (cf. Joh_1:4-5; Joh_1:8-9).
Joh_9:40 "We are not blind too, are we" The Greek syntax expects a "no" answer (cf. Mat_15:14; Matthew 23-24). These last few verses show that this chapter was an acted-out parable of spiritual blindness which cannot be healed (the unpardonable sin of unbelief, see Special Topic at Joh_5:21), and physical blindness, which can!
Joh_9:41 This verse expresses a general truth (cf. Joh_15:22; Joh_15:24; Rom_3:20; Rom_4:15; Rom_5:13; Rom_7:7; Rom_7:9). Humans are held responsible for the light they have or have been exposed to!
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