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John Chapter
Nine
I. Content of the Chapter
The Son of God the Savior Opened the Eyes of
the Man Who Was
Blind
A. The Sign that He healed the One Who
was Blind by Nature:
1. The background before he was healed (v.1-5)
2. The process of his being healed (v.6-7)
B. The Witness of the Blind Who Had Been
Healed:
1. The witness to the neighbors ---- a Man called Jesus (v.8-12).
2. The witness to the Pharisees for the first time
---- He is a prophet (v.13-17).
3. The cowardice of his parents ---- the weakness
of the flesh (v.18-23).
4. The witness to the Pharisees for the second time
---- He came from God (v.24-33).
5. The result of the witness ---- he was rejected
by the blind religion (v.34).
C. The Blind Man Obtained Deeper Revelation
after Having Been Healed:
1. The revelation that the One who healed him is
the Son of God (v.35-37).
2. He established the right relationship with the
Lord ---- believed Him and worshipped Him (v.38).
3. The world had been divided into two sorts
because of the Lord ---- the blind men saw
but the clear-eyed one became blind
(v.39-41).
II. Verse by Verse commentary
John.
9:1 “Now as
Jesus passed by
He saw a man who was blind from birth.”
YLT:
“And passing by
he saw a man
blind from birth
”
Meaning of Words: “pass by”: go along or away; “from birth”: by
nature;
Literal Meaning: “now as Jesus passed by”
it
referred to the period when Jesus went out of the temple and passed by a certain place. It exactly took place on
the Sabbath (see v.14)
and there were three explanations as below: (1) it was the eighth day of the Feast of the Tabernacles (see Lev
23:39); (2) it was the
next Sabbath after the Feast of the
Tabernacles; (3) it was the
feast of the dedication (see 10:21-23).
Spiritual Meaning: “a man who was blind from
birth”，it symbolizes the unbelieving ones
whose thoughts have been so blinded by the god of this world (see 2Cor 4:4) that they walk in the
darkness and know neither themselves nor the true God. This man was
blind from birth
i.e. his was blind
by nature
which typified that blindness originated from the sin. Every one is
born in the sin
so is blind.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Today
many people
see only the visible and transient things
rather than the eternal ones in the
future. Is it blind of one’s spirit
if he sees only the apparent
material and
carnal things rather than the invisible things of his spirit?
2) “Men were blind
from birth”
men were blind by nature and fell into the darkness. Even though a
man acts most morally in the natural life
he can still not “see” the
John.
9:2 “And
His disciples asked Him
saying
"Rabbi
who sinned
this man or his
parents
that he was born blind?"”
YLT:
“and his disciples asked him
saying
`Rabbi
who did sin
this one or his parents
that he should be born
blind?'”
Meaning of Words: “sin”: offend
sin
and trespass;
The Background:
in the old days
generally the Jews might
regard one’s afflictions as the retributions caused by himself or his parents
(see v.34; Luke 13:2; Acts 28:4; Ex 20:5; Eze18:20).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The disciples asked
whether the man’s blindness related to “sin”
which showed that one could not free
themselves from the moral ideas concerning spiritual things. However
Christ
came to open men’s eyes for the purpose of manifesting the glory of His divine
nature (v.3) rather than merely transforming men’s moral states.
2) Men tended to judge
others
but the Lord was going to heal others. Men always see negatively
but the
Lord sees positively.
John.
9:3 “Jesus answered
"Neither this man nor his parents sinned
but that the works of God should
be revealed in him.”
YLT:
“Jesus answered
`Neither did this one sin
nor his parents
but that the works of God may be manifested in him;”
Meaning of Words: “reveal”: manifestly
declare
appear; “work”: deed
doing
and labor;
Literal Meaning: “neither this man
nor his parents sinned”
the Lord did not mean that his fathers were not
sinners
but this man’s blindness was not caused by sin.
“But that the works of God
should be revealed in him.” ---- It could be judged from these words that the
Lord healed this blind man to manifest the great power of God as well as that
He who was sent by God is “the light of the world” (see v.5; 8:12).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Although all the diseases
afflictions
and death enter the world because of the sin (see Gen 2:17; 3:16-19)
it does
not mean that one’s sickness is always by some certain sins that he commits.
2) When we see others
encountering troubles or unexpected disasters
we should not conjecture presumptuously
that what they have confronted is the penalty of God.
3) It is the very
chance of being more granted by God when we encounter diseases or afflictions
(see 2Cor 12:9-10).
4) It is better to seek the way of resolving
the troubles rather than the origin of it. We should seize the chance of suffering and change it into another one
that manifests the glory of God.
5) But we know that
all things work together for good to those who love God (Rom 8:28). All the
afflictions
diseases
frustrations
troubles and sufferings we have been
experienced have the good pleasure of God for the purpose of “revealing the
works of God”.
6) The genetic defect of a man is not completely the matter of sin
but the chance of manifesting the works
of God.
7) The principal aim
of “the works of God” is to heal the blindness of men’s spirit and bring men to
the spiritual enlightenment and knowledge.
John. 9:4 “I must work the works of
Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. ”
YLT: “it behoveth me to be
working the works of Him who sent me while it is day; night doth come
when no
one is able to work: --”
Literal
Meaning: “I must work the works of
Him”
it indicates that the Lord grants His
disciples to partake in His works
for not only is He “the light of the world
(v.5)”
and His disciples are “the light of the world” as well (see Matt 5:14)”.
Spiritual
Meaning: “the day” and “the night” typify that: (1) “day”
means the age of grace remains
and “night” refers to the end of the age of
grace. (2) “Day” indicates that men still live in the world
and “night”
symbolizes that men have been dead. (3) “Day” indicates that the gospel is
still permitted to preach in the circumstance
and “night” shows the opposition
to the gospel has reached the summit in the circumstance.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) “While it is day”
it reminds the Christians that the day of
life passes away swiftly. “The
night is coming”
our service on the
earth will pass in the future. Therefore
we should seize every favorable
opportunity granted by God to serve Him according to what is agreeable to Him.
2) We should avail
ourselves of the opportunity to preach the gospel diligently when the light of
the glad tidings of the glory of the Christ is still shining (“the day”). For there will be no chance to preach the
gospel when the end of the age (the night) comes.
3) It is critically
important to seize opportunities for those who serve God. Many believers lose
the chance of bearing witness of the Lord because of fearing for various
things.
4) Preach the word! Be
ready in season and out of season. Convince
rebuke
exhort
with all
longsuffering and teaching (2 Tim 4:2).
5) The Lord mentioned “we”
instead of “I” or “you”.
He likes to work with us. All the works that the Lord has not partaken in are
not what the Lord requests.
6) In order to heal
the blindness of men’s
spirit and grant enlightenment to them in darkness
the Lord is willing to work
with the men who are of Him together.
7) The chief work of
the Lord’s workers is to open
men’s eyes
namely
turn
men from darkness to light
and from the power of Satan to God (see Acts
26:18).
8) “We”
refers to not only the Lord and “one
certain individual”
but the Lord and “all of us”. It is acceptable to the Lord that all the
believers in the assembly can cooperate with each other together and serve in
the spirit of fellowship
9) “We”
refers to His entire disciples
and therefore all those who have believed Him
have the right to serve Him. We should not be on the pretext of “being unable to do”
or “being unable to do well” to escape the works of the Lord.
10) Doing the works of
the Lord is not only the responsibility of the evangelists
elders or
ministers
but also that of every Christian.
11) “I must work…” it indicates that the Lord not only “calls” us to do His works
but rather “orders” us to do it. Doing the works of the Lord is
not dispensable for us
but obligatory.
12) “Do the works of Him who sent Me”
neither “do the works of you and me”
nor “the works of any assembly”
but “the works of God”. How much works that we do can be accounted
into “the works of God” on earth?
John. 9:5 “As long as I am in the
world
I am the light of the world." ”
YLT: “when I am in the world
I
am a light of the world.'”
Literal
Meaning: “as long as I am in the world”
it referred to the time that the Lord
Jesus came to be a man on the earth
especially the three years and a half when
He came to preach the words of God and serve God.
Assuredly
the Lord is still with us in the world today (see Matt
28:20). Therefore
the words of the Lord here do not mean His life and time of
working are limited
but chances for men to believe Him are limited. Almost
every one has the opportunity of receiving Christ to be one’s personal savior.
However
as long as men ignore or lose the opportunity
it will never come
again.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The Lord is “the light of the world”
for He is the light of life (see 8:12).
People in the world are blind for the sake of lacking life
so they have no
light. If they want to see
they should firstly receive the life. Once a man
has the life
he must be able to see.
2) The Lord is “the light of the world”
which enlightens men inwardly
not
outwardly. The Lord
through being men’s
life
sheds His light to make men see.
3) If we want to do
the works of the Lord
we should have the presence of Him. Such works are in
the light
for He is light. If we work without the presence of the Lord
we
will fumble in darkness and harvest nothing.
John. 9:6 “When He had said these
things
He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed
the eyes of the blind man with the clay.”
YLT: “These things saying
he
spat on the ground
and made clay of the spittle
and rubbed the clay on the
eyes of the blind man
and said to him
”
Meaning
of Words: “anointed”: smear over;
Spiritual
Meaning: “and made clay with the
saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay.” ---- “Saliva” symbolizes the words spoken
by the Lord. God formed man of the dust of the ground (see Gen 2:7)
so “made
clay with the saliva” symbolized the words of God entered men and united with
men therein. “Anointed” symbolizes the anointment of the Holy Spirit. The words
that the Lord have spoken to us should be anointed by the unction (see 1John
2:27) and works in us thereafter.
There were also some Bible exegetes who interpreted oppositely: “saliva”
symbolized the traditional teaching by the rabbis. “Anointed…with the clay” stood
for sticking to the laws and customs. Both of the above two points would make
men blind
so they should go to the pool of Siloam to wash
and come back
seeing (v.7).
There was another explanation: since God formed man of the dust of the
ground (see Gen 2:7)
the action of the Lord’s anointing here symbolized the
creation of God. The divine trinity engaged in the new creation hereon.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The words of the Lord
should be anointed upon our heart and have live contact with our spirit
thus
turning to be spirit and life (see 6:63).
2) The letters in the
Scriptures should work by the anointment of the Spirit ---- the words have been
spoken into our spirit and have been understood through our mind then
thus
bringing about life and peace finally (see Rom 8:6).
3) We should do well taking heed as
to a lamp that shining in an obscure place until day dawn and morning star arise in your hearts (see 2Pet 1:19).
John. 9:7 “And He
said to him
"Go
wash in the pool of Siloam" (which is translated
Sent). So he went and washed
and came back seeing. ”
YLT: “`Go
away
wash at the pool of Siloam
' which is
interpreted
Sent. He went away
therefore
and did wash
and came seeing;”
Literal
Meaning: “go
wash in the pool of Siloam.” “Siloam”: sent (in Greek)
the poor was located in
the
Spiritual
Meaning: “Siloam which is translated
Sent”
the Lord Jesus especially asked that blind man
to wash in the
pool of Siloam and come back
seeing
which indicated several meanings as follows: (1) The blind man
expressed his faith and obedience towards the words of the Lord by these
actions. Only can those who believe and obey the Lord obtain the Lord’s
salvation. (2) This Book of Gospel describes repeatedly the Lord as “being
sent” (see 3:17
34; 4:34; 5:23-24
30
36-38; 6:29
38-39
44
57; 7:16
18
28-29
33; 8:16
18
26
29
42; 9:4; 10:36; 11:42; 12:44-45
49; 13:20; 14:24;
15:21; 16:5; 17:3
8
18
21
25; 20:21)
so “the pool of Siloam” typifies Jesus Christ. Only He is the rivers
of water that heals men’s spirit (see 7:37). (3) “The pool of Siloam” symbolizes the provision and attention of
God (see Is 8:6). (4) “
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) “So he went and washed
and
came back seeing.”---- The blind man
did not hesitate over the Lord’s
command so that he was healed at once. Faith does not care for reasons
but the
matter that who says the words. If there are the words of God
we shall receive
without any condition. He who is willing to receive the words of God
unconditionally has been truly favored.
2) Today
many people
though
knowing their need and having confessed the vanity and torture in them
do not
believe the words of the Lord
so their blindness of spirit has not been
resolved.
3) The essence of faith is
to receive the guidance of the Lord and do according to His words. No matter
how He guides
the one who believes Him and does according to His words never
stumbles
and his eyes of spirit will be open.
4) The blind man who was
healed had two characteristics: (1) he believed the Lord’s words. (2) He obeyed the Lord’s words. May we always believe and obey the
Lord’s words to make our
spiritual eyes bright and know more about the will of God.
John. 9:8 “Therefore
the neighbors and those who previously had seen that he was blind said
"Is not this he who sat and begged?" ”
YLT: “the
neighbours
therefore
and those seeing him before
that he was blind
said
`Is
not this he who is sitting and begging?'”
Literal
Meaning: “he who sat and begged”
“beg”
it was the only way for a blind
man to earn a living at that time.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) If a man has really been
granted the grace of the Lord
his neighbors
relatives and friends will be
definitely aware of his changes (see 2 Cor 5:17).
2) When a man has been
saved
his life will be transformed and be completely distinct from the past.
Then his friends who do not believe the Lord shall feel it amazing and think it
unbelievable and even consequently come to seek Christ so as to obtain the new
life through the divine belief.
3) All of us are
beggars before receiving the salvation ---- begging men’s mercy and sympathy.
But once having been saved
all the people are surprised by us and
talking about us ---- we have the
unusual experiences that men who do not believe the Lord have not.
4) Being unable to see
clearly
the blind men can not run in the journey of life for
so they have to “sit”.
Being unable to work normally
they become poor
so they have to “beg”.
All the torment of their life is ascribable to blindness. If they want to
resolve their life problems
firstly their eyes should be open.
John. 9:9 “Some said
"This is
he." Others said
"He is like him." He said
"I am
he." ”
YLT: “others said -- `This is he;' and others -- `He is like to him;' he himself said -- `I am .'”
John. 9:10 “Therefore they said to him
"How were your eyes opened?"
”
YLT: “They said
therefore
to
him
`How were thine eyes opened?'”
Enlightenment
in the Word: “How were your eyes opened?” ---- When people see the change of a new favored one in Christ
they will be drawn near and
raise various questions
which presents him great chance to bear witness of the
Lord.
John. 9:11 “He answered and said
"A Man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and said to me
"Go to the pool of Siloam and wash.' So I went and washed
and I received
sight." ”
YLT: “he answered and said
`A
man called Jesus made clay
and rubbed my eyes
and said to me
Go away to the
pool of Siloam
and wash; and having gone away and having washed
I received
sight;'”
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) “So I went and washed
and I
received sight.” ---- We shall also narrate
the story that we have been saved to others (see 1 Pet 3:15).
2) When we bear
witness of the Lord
we shall use simple and concise words to summarize the
process of our being granted grace. The foremost part is to introduce Jesus
Christ.
John. 9:12 “Then they said to him
"Where is He?" He said
"I do not know." ”
YLT: “they said
therefore
to
him
`Where is that one?' he saith
`I have not known.'”
Enlightenment
in the Word: a triumphant
witness always draws forth men’s pursuit of seeing the Lord Jesus personally
---- “where is He?”
John. 9:13 “They brought him who
formerly was blind to the Pharisees.
”
YLT: “They bring him to the
Pharisees who once blind
”
Literal
Meaning: “brought him to the Pharisees”
“the Pharisees” owned the chief place
in the Judaism (see 7:26
45). Probably
they brought the blind man to the
Pharisees because of being in fear (see v.22).
John. 9:14 “Now it was a Sabbath when
Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes.”
YLT: “and it was a Sabbath when
Jesus made the clay
and opened his eyes.”
The Background: according to the explanation for the commandment
of the Sabbath provided by rabbis
there were 39 regulations that forbade men
from working. If one violates any of the regulations
he has violated the
Sabbath. It was commanded in the 39 regulations that one should not knead the
dough or anoint with the ointment. The Pharisees might regard “making clay” as kneading
the dough
and “anointing…with the clay” as anointing with the ointment
so
they claimed that the Lord Jesus had violated the regulation on the Sabbath
since He made clay to heal one’s eyes.
In addition
it
was unlawful to heal on the Sabbath except for those who were at their last
gasp and would be allowed to take medicine. Besides
people were only permitted to control the state of the illness and prevent it
from deterioration instead of making a full recovery. Otherwise
it would
violate the Sabbath.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The Sabbath was in remembrance of the fulfillment of
the works of God
who rested from
all his work which he had made (Gen 2:2). The entire works of God had been fulfilled in
Christ (see 19:30 “It is
finished.”)
so Christ is the rest of God.
2) Jesus is the true
rest of the Sabbath. Men shall receive the revelation and enlightenment from
Him and enjoy the true rest only when they have seen Him.
John. 9:15 “Then the Pharisees also
asked him again how he had received his sight. He said to them
"He put
clay on my eyes
and I washed
and I see." ”
YLT: “Again
therefore
the
Pharisees also were asking him how he received sight
and he said to them
`Clay he did put upon my eyes
and I did wash -- and I see.'”
Literal
Meaning: “He put clay on my eyes”
he mentioned “He” instead of the name of
Jesus
for he thought all of them had already known that “He” was the Lord
Jesus.
John. 9:16 “Therefore some of the
Pharisees said
"This Man is not from God
because He does not keep the
Sabbath." Others said
"How can a man who is a sinner do such
signs?" And there was a division among them. ”
YLT: “Of the Pharisees
therefore
certain said
`This man is not from God
because the sabbath he doth
not keep;' others said
`How is a man -- a sinful one -- able to do such
signs?' and there was a division among them.”
Meaning
of Words: “division”: split
schism;
Literal
Meaning: “this Man is not from God”
“this man”
namely
“this guy”
which
contains a despising tone.
“Because He does not keep the
Sabbath.”---- according to the
commandment of Sabbath
it was unlawful to heal on the Sabbath except for those
who were at their last gasp. Therefore
when the Lord opened the eyes of that
blind
it obviously violated the law of the Sabbath in their views.
The former ones
namely
the
Pharisees
judged from the view that “He
did not keep the Sabbath”
so they ruled out the possibility that He came from
God. The latter ones saw from the fact that He could “do signs”
so they eliminated
the possibility that He was a sinner (see v.31-33). Controversial point of views
created the contrary situation.
Enlightenment
in the Word: If any of us sees
the truth from a single angle
it will definitely bring about controversial
views. Therefore
we believers should broaden our vision to know all the truth in
the comprehensive views of the Scriptures
thus avoiding exhaustion and extremity.
John. 9:17 “They said to the blind man
again
"What do you say about Him because He opened your eyes?" He
said
"He is a prophet."
”
YLT: “They said to the blind man
again
`Thou -- what dost thou say of him -- that he opened thine eyes?'”
Literal
Meaning: “What do you say about Him
because He opened your eyes?” ---- “you” and “your”
are emphatic in the original.
John. 9:18 “But the Jews did not
believe concerning him
that he had been blind and received his sight
until
they called the parents of him who had received his sight. ”
YLT: “and he said -- `He is a
prophet.' The Jews
therefore
did not believe concerning him that he was blind
and did receive sight
till that they called the parents of him who received
sight
”
Literal
Meaning: “the Jews did not believe
concerning him”
it indicated two
things: (1) the stubbornness of the Jews. (2) The healing of the Lord Jesus was
so perfect that one could not distinguish between a blind man and a perfect
man.
John. 9:19 “And they asked them
saying
"Is this your son
who you say was born blind? How then does he
now see?" ”
YLT: “and they asked them
saying
`Is your son
of whom ye say that he was born blind? how then now doth
he see?'”
Literal
Meaning: “Is this your son?” ---- The first question was purposed to make
sure his identity. “How then does he now see?” ---- The second question was tricky ---- if one answered
carelessly
he might bring trouble on himself.
John. 9:20 “His parents answered them
and said
"We know that this is our son
and that he was born blind; ”
YLT: “His parents answered them
and said
`We have known that this is our son
and that he was born blind;”
Literal
Meaning: this was the unobjectionable
fact.
John. 9:21 “but by what means he now
sees we do not know
or who opened his eyes we do not know. He is of age; ask
him. He will speak for himself."
”
YLT: “and how he now seeth
we
have not known; or who opened his eyes
we have not known; himself is of age
ask him; he himself shall speak concerning himself.'”
Meaning
of Words: “is of age”: maturity
Literal
Meaning: “but by what means he now sees we do not know”
they might truly
not know the fact
or they might have already learned it
but dared not
disclose the face because of some scruples (v.22).
Enlightenment
in the Word: even the blind man’s
parents did not know how he could see ---- it indicated that once a man’s inner
eyes was opened
the spiritual mystery therein could never be naturally or
traditionally understood. So his parents could not prove him
or even dare not
bear witness of him.
John. 9:22 “His parents said these
things because they feared the Jews
for the Jews had agreed already that if
anyone confessed that He was Christ
he would be put out of the synagogue.”
YLT: “These things said his
parents
because they were afraid of the Jews
for already had the Jews agreed
together
that if any one may confess him -- Christ
he may be put out of the
synagogue;”
Meaning
of Words: “agree”: consent; “confess”: assent;
Literal
Meaning: “he would be put out of the
synagogue”
that was to say
he would at least be temporarily deprived of his right of partaking in
worshiping God or any normal group activities (about a week to a month). Or in
a more serious case
he would be excommunicated from the synagogue and be despised and
rejected all his life.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) “His parents said these
things because they feared the Jews”
fearing the power of men often makes a man dare not bear the witness that he
ought to. Today
many Christians dare not bear witness in the public
for they
are bound by the “fearing” attitude.
2) “The Jews had agreed already”
things which has been unanimously approved
by men will often be utilized by Satan to oppose the Lord. Note that many times
if we seek to satisfy men
we will not be able to satisfy God. If we please
men
we will not be able to please God (see Gal 1:10).
3) To bear witness of the
Lord
one shall usually pay the cost ---- “if anyone confessed that He was Christ
he
would be put out of the synagogue.”
4) He whose eyes has been
opened to see Christ must be rejected by the blind religion ---- “be put out of the synagogue”. It tells us that one shall pay the cost
if he wants to know the Lord.
John. 9:23 “Therefore his parents said
"He is of age; ask him."
”
YLT: “because of this his
parents said -- `He is of age
ask him.'”
John. 9:24 “So they again called the
man who was blind
and said to him
"Give God the glory! We know that this
Man is a sinner." ”
YLT: “They called
therefore
a
second time the man who was blind
and they said to him
`Give glory to God
we
have known that this man is a sinner;'”
Literal
Meaning: “give God the glory!” ---- It
contains two meanings: (1) one should give glory and thanks to God (see Luke 17:18); (2) one should
fear God and make confession to Him (see Josh 7:19).
John. 9:25 “He answered and said
"Whether He is a sinner or not I do not know. One thing I know: that
though I was blind
now I see."
”
YLT: “he answered
therefore
and said
`If he be a sinner -- I have not known
one thing I have known
that
being blind
now I see.'”
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) “One thing I know: that
though I was blind
now I see.”
---- This is the true feeling from his personal experience. The belief of the
Christians is true indeed
for we have personally enjoyed the precious
experience of being reborn from above.
2) We may be not aware of
all the things that the Lord has done
but there is one thing that we have to
know ---- what has the Lord done upon us on earth?
3) Every true believer has
some “firsthand knowledge” about the Lord ---- which is not heard from
others
but the personally experience in the Lord.
4) Bearing witness does not
need say some truth
but testify one’s
personal experience ---- “one
thing I know: that though I was blind
now I see.”
5) The world may be contempt
suspicious and scornful
but no one can deny the real witness of our
experience.
6) The most powerful witness
does not lie in perfect truth or excellent eloquence
but the true work that
the Lord has done upon us. The living witness is indisputable. We should also
bear witness of the Lord in this way
John. 9:26 “Then they said to him
again
"What did He do to you? How did He open your eyes?" ”
YLT: “And they said to him
again
`What did he to thee? how did he open thine eyes?'”
John. 9:27 “He answered them
"I
told you already
and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do
you also want to become His disciples?" ”
YLT: “He answered them
`I told
you already
and ye did not hear; why again do ye wish to hear? do ye also wish
to become his disciples?'”
Literal
Meaning: “do you also want to become
His disciples?” ---- It seemed
from his words and his tone that he had regarded him as the disciple of the
Lord.
John. 9:28 “Then they reviled him and
said
"You are His disciple
but we are Moses' disciples. ”
YLT: “They reviled him
therefore
and said
`Thou art his disciple
and we are Moses' disciples;”
Meaning
of Words: “revile”:
reproach;
Literal
Meaning: “you are His disciple”
in the original it means: “do (you) go
and be His disciples!” (i.e. “You are His disciple ---- just be His disciple
yourself!”)
“But we
are Moses' disciples”. ---- They
considered themselves as
Moses' disciples
but actually they
were not (see 5:46).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) All the Christians should
regard themselves as “His
disciples”. However
many
Christians are actually disciples of other some petty groups besides “being His disciples”.
2) The Pharisees boast of “being Moses' disciples”.
Today
in the assembly
do we boast of “being disciples of some certain spiritual
great man”?
3) Maybe we have not
regarded ourselves as “students from some certain theological seminary”
“believers
of some religious sects” or “believers of some certain creed or doctrine”
but do
we really have none such conceptions in our subconsciousness at all?
John. 9:29 “We know that God spoke to
Moses; as for this fellow
we do not know where He is from." ”
YLT: “we have known that God
hath spoken to Moses
but this one -- we have not known whence he is.'”
Literal
Meaning: “we do not know where He is
from”
the Pharisees knew where the Lord Jesus
was born (see 7:27-28)
and were confused about where His power came from.
John. 9:30 “The man answered and said
to them
"Why
this is a marvelous thing
that you do not know where He is
from; yet He has opened my eyes!
”
YLT: “The man answered and said
to them
`Why
in this is a wonderful thing
that ye have not known whence he
is
and he opened my eyes!”
Meaning
of Words: “marvelous”: wondered at
wonderful;
Literal
Meaning: 1) That man was unlettered
and uninstructed
but once he tasted the flavor of the Lord’s grace
he could
even teach those learned Pharisees. His knowledge about the God’s power came from the enlightenment of the Lord
not
the teaching of men.
2) The traditional
ideas and concepts of religion dust the eyes of men
preventing them from seeing “the
works of God” (see v.3).
John. 9:31 “Now we know that God does
not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will
He
hears him.”
YLT: “and we have known that God
doth not hear sinners
but
if any one may be a worshipper of God
and may do
His will
him He doth hear;”
Meaning
of Words: “worshiper of God”: reverent of God;
Literal
Meaning: his meanings are as
below: (1) He opened my eyes (see v.30)
for God hears Him. (2) God hears Him
proves He is not a sinner
but is of God (see v.33). (3) He must be a worshiper of God and do His will
so
God hears Him.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Had men regarded iniquity
in their hearts
the Lord would not hear their prayers (see Ps 66:18; Is 1:15).
2) The mystery that
God hears one’s prayer lies in:
(1) being a worshiper of God. (2) Doing God’s will.
John. 9:32 “Since the world began it
has been unheard of that anyone opened the eyes of one who was born blind. ”
YLT: “from the age it was not
heard
that any one did open eyes of one who hath been born blind;”
John. 9:33 “If this Man were not from
God
He could do nothing." ”
YLT: “if this one were not from
God
he were not able to do anything.'”
Enlightenment
in the Word: today believers “can
do nothing” without God (see 15:5).
John. 9:34 “They answered and said to
him
"You were completely born in sins
and are you teaching us?" And
they cast him out. ”
YLT: “They answered and said to
him
`In sins thou wast born altogether
and thou dost teach us!' and they cast
him forth without.”
Literal
Meaning: “and they cast him out.” ---- “Cast out” refers to not only being
cast out of the temple
but also being excommunicated from the Judaism.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) If the religionists can not win in dispute
they will use craftiness and violence
disclosing sufficiently that they are
manipulated by the devil.
2) All the places or
groups that can not accept those who have revelation and knowledge of Christ
must be religious organizations that lack enlightenment.
John. 9:35 “Jesus heard that they had
cast him out; and when He had found him
He said to him
"Do you believe
in the Son of God?" ”
YLT: “Jesus heard that they cast
him forth without
and having found him
he said to him
`Dost thou believe in
the Son of God?'”
Meaning
of Words: “believe in”: put in trust with;
Literal
Meaning: “when He had found him”
the Jews cast him out
but the Lord found
and accepted him.
“Do you
believe in the Son of God?” ---- There are two great
points in this problem: (1) men should have faith ---- faith is the condition
of receiving grace
without which
one can not be granted grace. (2) The object
of faith is the Son of God ---- if one preaches a
gospel without focusing on the Son of God
there will be no salvation therein.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) All the believers
who love the Lord truly and singly will be “cast out” by the groups that reject or despise the
Lord. Therefore
we shall not covet for the temporary rest so as not to lose
the boldness to stand for the Lord.
2) What part for a believer along with an
unbeliever? God said: “therefore come out from among them
and be
separated
and touch not unclean and I will receive you.” (see 2cor 6:15
17).
3) All those who have
been rejected for the fake of the Lord will contrarily obtain greater
blessings
for God will personally accept them and commune with them.
4)
We shall believe in God only rather than rely on men ---- this is the path that
Christians shall tread in.
5)
The man whose blindness had been healed did not meet the Lord until the
synagogue “cast him out”. If one still lingers in
the synagogue
he will never meet the Lord. If we are
cast out by the world
we will see the Lord’s blessings upon us ---- what great reward!
John. 9:36 “He answered and said
"Who is He
Lord
that I may believe in Him?" ”
YLT: “he answered and said
`Who
is he
sir
that I may believe in him?'”
Meaning
of Words: “believe in”: put in trust with;
John. 9:37 “And Jesus said to him
"You have both seen Him and it is He who is talking with you." ”
YLT: “And Jesus said to him
`Thou
hast both seen him
and he who is speaking with thee is he;'”
Literal
Meaning: it mentions in this
book that the Lord twice declares He is “the Son of God” (see 9:35; 10:30). The
author of this book intends to testify that “Jesus is the Son of God” (20:30). When
the New Testament mentions the faith through which men can be saved
it always
regards the divinity of Christ as an essential fact
closely connected with
such faith (see 20:31). Whether a man confesses Jesus is God decides whether he
will be condemned or obtain the eternal life (see 3:36; 1John 5:12).
John. 9:38 “Then he said
"Lord
I
believe!" And he worshiped Him.
”
YLT: “and he said
`I believe
sir
' and bowed before him.”
Meaning
of Words: “believe in”: put in trust with;
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) A man who believes into
the Lord shall experience the process: spiritual enlightenment first
and then
the confession of his sins and finally receiving Christ through believing.
2) When the blind man was
healed
he knew only that the Lord was
of God (see v.33). And he
knew further that He was the Son of God when he paid the cost for the Lord (see
v.35-37). Having been saved
Christians should diligently seek to know Christ
further. The more cost one has paid for Him
the more he will know Him.
3) Though the blind man had
been healed to see
his knowledge about Christ should still be furthered ----
at first
he only knew “His
name was Jesus” (v.11)
and then he
confessed He was “a prophet” (v.17). Afterwards
he believed that He “was of God” (v.33) and “is a worshiper of God and does His will” (v.31). Finally
the Lord directly revealed
him that “He is the Son of God” (see v.35-37)
and thus the man worshiped
Him. All the above reveals us: (1) men’s
eyes are opened to know the Son of God and worship Him. (2) Later
he needs
further revelation from the Lord Himself
thus being delivered from the
traditional religious concepts concerning Christ ---- Jesus
the prophet
a
worship of God etc and obtaining the accurate and fundamental knowledge ---- “the Son of God”.
John. 9:39 “And Jesus said
"For
judgment I have come into this world
that those who do not see may see
and
that those who see may be made blind." ”
YLT: “And Jesus said
`For
judgment I to this world did come
that those not seeing may see
and those
seeing may become blind.'”
Meaning
of Words: “judgment”:
to distinguish;
Literal
Meaning: “for judgment I have come
into this world”
it seemed to be contradictory
to the Lord’s words in other places (see 3:17
8:15
12:47)
but actually
there was no inconsistency: (1) the Lord’s words in other places indicated that
He came to the world for the sake of saving the world rather than judging it.
(2) Here
it showed that judgment by the Lord when he came into the world was unavoidable.
When the Lord came to the world
there must arise different reactions
from men ---- some believed while others did not; some received or others did
not
i.e. men were separated on account of Him. Therefore
He became the
standard of the judgment on the world
namely
He brought the “judgment”.
“That
those who do not see may see”
“those who do not see”
it refers to the men who confess to
lacking spiritual insight and then call upon the Lord’s name. All those who
know they are in darkness and call on the Lord will be surely able to see.
“That those who see may be made blind”
“those who see”
it referred to
the Pharisees and the Jews
who falsely assumed that they had spiritual insight
and turned a blind eye to the spiritual things
so they were blind obviously. All
those who can see in their own eyes will be not able to call upon the Lord
thus turning to be always blind eventually.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) A man’s physical eyes can see
but he will still
remain in darkness if his spiritual eyes are blind.
2) May the Lord opens
our spiritual eyes and grants us the true knowledge of both the Lord and the
man himself.
3) Whether a sinner
can obtain the light of life decides whether he has the inclination or
determination of drawing near the light.
4) The manifestation
of the mysterious Christ always grants those who seek the Lord of a pure heart
more enlightenment. But those who have self-righteousness and full religious
prejudices will become increasingly blind. The more Christ has been revealed
the clearer these two
5) Being the light of
the world
the Lord intends to reveal the real state of men
so this light
carries the essence of judgment. When the blind man received the light
he
could see. But the Pharisees refused the Lord’s light of judgment (they held an antagonistic
attitude towards this light)
so their spiritual eyes would be veiled forever
and could never be open. Therefore
believers should never refuse the Lord’s light of judgment ---- for enlightenment
is the prerequisite of one’s
spiritual eyes being unveiled.
John. 9:40 “Then some of the Pharisees
who were with Him heard these words
and said to Him
"Are we blind
also?" ”
YLT: “And those of the Pharisees
who were with him heard these things
and they said to him
`Are we also
blind?'”
Enlightenment in the Word: the Pharisees’ true problem lay in their self-conceitedness
flattering themselves that they knew well about the laws of Moses and the
salvation of God. He who regards his own cognition as the absolute authority to
judge and examine others will fall into such blindness. There is also such phenomenon
in the Christianity today ---- especially among some evangelists and elders
who may either consciously or unconsciously count their own understanding of
the Scriptures and theology as the authority
and finally fall into darkness
without any awareness
causing unnecessary divisions and disputes in the
assemblies.
John. 9:41 “Jesus said to them
"If you were blind
you would have no sin; but now you say
"We see.'
Therefore your sin remains. ”
YLT: “Jesus said to them
`If ye
were blind
ye were not having had sin
but now ye say -- We see
therefore
doth your sin remain.”
Literal
Meaning: “If you were blind
you
would have no sin”
“were blind”
it
indicated that they confessed to being lack of the spiritual insight and living
in sin and being in need of a savior. So there might be remission for
them.
“But
now you say
"We see.' Therefore your sin remains.” ---- “We see”
they were not willing to confess
they lived in darkness
so they refused to receive the savior and there was no
remission for them.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The Pharisees were
blind
but did not realize it
so their sin remained. May the Lord open our
eyes and let us know our state so that we can rely on His salvation.
2) He who confesses to being blind calls for great courage
for
confessing to being blind equals to confessing to having committed sins. Today
many men’s spiritual eyes are
blind
but they refuse to confess it.
3) All those who are
unwilling to be in darkness of themselves will definitely be unwilling to come
to the Lord to obtain mercy
thus remaining themselves in sins.
4) One’s blindness may stem from the inability of
seeing or the avoidance of seeing on purpose. If the Pharisees did truly not
know the truth
their “blindness” would be possibly healable. However
having
regarded themselves as the leaders or teachers of the spirit of the people
they thought they could understand and see. They refused to see deliberately
and nothing could exonerate them from such blindness.
5) A man who does not
believe the Lord is in spiritual blindness
but a man who believes the Lord can
“see” truly. A lot of men in the world are physically
blind
but they can see the spiritual things. On the contrary
the eyes of many
people are physically healthy
but are blind in truth. It is said that the
blindest one is the one who is most unwilling to see.” The Pharisees thought their eyes were brightest
in the world
and considered themselves as “leaders of the blind (see Rom 2:19)”. However
they were blind to the Lord
Jesus
so their sins were more serious.
III. Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons
I. The Need of the Blind Men
A. The Condition of the Blindness:
A man who was blind from
birth (v.1) ---- the god of this
world has blinded the thoughts of the unbelieving (2Cor 4:4).
B. The Necessary Attitude towards the Blind Men of us.
1. Do not always condemn the sins of
others (v.2
2. We shall regard it as a chance that
God will manifest His works upon the blind man (v.3b).
C. How to Open the
Blind Men’s eyes?
1. By those who are of Him to seize the opportunity and
to cooperate with the Lord ( while it is day) (v.4).
2. By the light of the world (v.5) ----
only through Christ
one’s eyes shall be opened.
3. By the words of the Lord (v.6) ----
the Holy Spirit anointed the Lord’s words into our spirit.
4. By the faith and obedience towards
the Lord’s words (v
5. By the baptism to wash off the old
nature (v.7b) ---- he went
and washed
and came back seeing.
D. The Result after
the Blind Men’s eyes is open:
1. Those who knew him felt amazed at him
(v.8-12).
2. It invoked the opposition and
persecution of the blind religion (v.13-23).
3. He was excommunicated from the Judaism
for he could not agree with them
any longer (v.24-34).
4. He was taken by the Lord
and knew
Christ further (v.35-41).
II. The Progressive
Knowledge about the Lord of the Blind Men
A. The
blind man knew only the
Man called Jesus (v.11)
B. He
is a prophet (v.17).
C. He
has disciples (v.27).
D. He came from God (v.33).
E. The
blind man believed in the Son of God (v.35-38).
III. The Faults of the
Pharisees
A. They
obstinately clung to the letters of the laws. ---- This Man is not from God
because He
does not keep the Sabbath. (v.16).
B. They
did not believe the objective facts. ---- The
Jews did not believe concerning him
that he had been blind and received his
sight (v.18)
C. They took advantage of their power to
bully others. ---- The
Jews had agreed already that if anyone confessed that He was Christ
he would be put out of the synagogue
(v.22).
D. They adhered stubbornly to their own
ideas ---- We know that this Man is a sinner (v.24).
E. They thought they were cuts above others
---- they reviled him and said
"You are His disciple
but we are Moses'
disciples (v.28).
F. They were eclipsed by what they had known
---- God spoke
to Moses; as for this fellow
we do not know where He is from (v.29).
G. They despised others ---- You were completely born in
sins
and are you teaching us? (v
H. They abuse their power ---- and they cast him out (v.34b).
I. They were too much self-confident ---- are we blind also? (v.40).
──
Caleb Huang《Christian Digest Bible
Commentary Series》
Translated by Mary Zhou