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John Chapter Nine

 

John 9

In chapter 9 we come to the testimony of His works but as down here as a man in lowliness. It is not the Son of God quickening whom He will as the Father but by the operation of His grace down here the eye opened to see in the lowly man the Son of God. In chapter 8 it is that which He is towards men; in chapter 9 it is that which He does in man that man may see Him. Thus we shall find Him presented in His human character and (the word being received) acknowledged to be the Son of God; and in this way the remnant separated the sheep restored to the good Shepherd. He is the light of the world while He is in it; but where through grace received in His humiliation He communicated the power to see the light and to see all things by it.

Observe here that when it is the word (the manifestation in testimony of what Christ is) man is manifested as he is in himself a child-in his nature-of the devil who is a murderer and a liar from the beginning the inveterate enemy of Him who can say "I am." [1] But when the Lord works He produces something in man that he had not previously. He bestows sight on him attaching him thus to the One who had enabled him to see. The Lord is not here understood or manifested in apparently as exalted a manner because He comes down to the wants and circumstances of man in order that He may be more closely known; but in result He brings the soul to the knowledge of His glorious Person. Only instead of being the word and the testimony-the Word of God-to shew as light what man is He is the Son one with the Father [2] giving eternal life to His sheep and preserving them in this grace for ever. For as to the blessing that flows from thence and the full doctrine of His true position with regard to the sheep in blessing chapter 10 goes with chapter 9. Chapter 10 is the continuation of the discourse begun at the end of chapter 9.

Chapter 9 opens with the case of a man that gives rise to a question from the disciples in relation to the government of God in Israel. Was it his parents' sin that brought this visitation on their child according to the principles God had given them in Exodus? Or was it his own sin known to God though not manifested to men that had procured him this judgment? The Lord replies that the man's condition did not depend on the government of God with respect to the sin either of himself or of his parents. His case was but the misery which gave room for the mighty operation of God in grace. It is the contrast that we have continually seen; but here it is in order to set forth the works of God.

God acts. It is not only that which He is nor even simply an object of faith. The presence of Jesus on earth made it day. It was therefore the time of work to do the works of Him that sent Him. But He who works here works by means that teach us the union which exists between an object of faith and the power of God who works. He makes clay with His spittle and the earth and puts it on the eyes of the man who was born blind. As a figure it pointed to the humanity of Christ in earthly humiliation and lowliness presented to the eyes of men but with divine efficacy of life in Him. Did they see any more? If possible their eyes were the more completely closed. Still the object was there; it touched their eyes and they could not see it. The blind man then washes in the pool that was called "Sent " and is enabled to see clearly. The power of the Spirit and of the word making Christ known as the One sent by the Father gives him sight. It is the history of divine teaching in the heart of man. Christ as man touches us. We are absolutely blind we see nothing. The Spirit of God acts Christ being there before our eyes; and we see plainly.

The people are astonished and know not what to think. The Pharisees oppose. Again the Sabbath is in question. They find (it is always the story) good reasons for condemning Him who bestowed sight in their pretended zeal for God's glory. There was positive proof that the man was born blind that he now saw that Jesus had done it. The parents testify to the only thing that was important on their part. As to who it was that had given him sight others knew more than they; but their fears bring out in evidence that it was a settled thing to cast out not only Jesus but all who should confess Him. Thus the Jewish leaders brought the thing to a decisive point. They not only rejected Christ but they cast out from the privileges of Israel as to their ordinary worship those who confessed Him. Their hostility distinguished the manifested remnant and put them apart; and that by using confession of Christ as a touchstone. This was deciding their own fate and judging their own condition.

Observe that proofs here went for nothing; the Jews the parents the Pharisees had them before their eyes. Faith came through being personally the subject of this mighty operation of God who opened the eyes of men to the glory of the Lord Jesus. Not that the man understood it all. He perceives that he has to do with some one sent of God. To him Jesus is a prophet. But thus the power which He had manifested in giving sight to this man enables him to trust the Lord's word as divine. Having gone so far the rest is easy: the poor man is led much farther and finds himself on ground that sets him free from all his former prejudices and that gives a value to the Person of Jesus which overcomes all other considerations. The Lord develops this in the next chapter.

In truth the Jews had made up their mind. They would have nothing to do with Jesus. They were all agreed to cast out those who believed in Him. Consequently the poor man having begun to reason with them on the proof that existed in his own person of the Saviour's mission they cast him out. Thus cast out the Lord-rejected before him-finds and reveals Himself to him by His personal name of glory. "Dost thou believe on the Son of God?" The man refers it to the word of Jesus which to him was divine truth and He proclaims Himself to him as being Himself the Son of God and the man worships Him.

Thus the effect of His power was to blind those who saw who were full of their own wisdom whose light was darkness; and to give sight to those who were born blind.

Footnotes

[1] Chapter 8 is practically chapter 1:5; only that there is besides that enmity hostility against Him who was light.

[2] This distinction of grace and responsibility (in connection with the names Father and Son and God) has been already noticed. See page 316.

── John DarbySynopsis of John

 

John 9

Chapter Contents

Christ give sight to one born blind. (1-7) The account given by the blind man. (8-12) The Pharisees question the man that had been blind. (13-17) They ask concerning him. (18-23) They cast him out. (24-34) Christ's words to the man that had been blind. (35-38) He reproves the Pharisees. (39-41)

Commentary on John 9:1-7

(Read John 9:1-7)

Christ cured many who were blind by disease or accident; here he cured one born blind. Thus he showed his power to help in the most desperate cases and the work of his grace upon the souls of sinners which gives sight to those blind by nature. This poor man could not see Christ but Christ saw him. And if we know or apprehend anything of Christ it is because we were first known of him. Christ says of uncommon calamities that they are not always to be looked on as special punishments of sin; sometimes they are for the glory of God and to manifest his works. Our life is our day in which it concerns us to do the work of the day. We must be busy and not waste day-time; it will be time to rest when our day is done for it is but a day. The approach of death should quicken us to improve all our opportunities of doing and getting good. What good we have an opportunity to do we should do quickly. And he that will never do a good work till there is nothing to be objected against will leave many a good work for ever undone Ecclesiastes 11:4. Christ magnified his power in making a blind man to see doing that which one would think more likely to make a seeing man blind. Human reason cannot judge of the Lord's methods; he uses means and instruments that men despise. Those that would be healed by Christ must be ruled by him. He came back from the pool wondering and wondered at; he came seeing. This represents the benefits in attending on ordinances of Christ's appointment; souls go weak and come away strengthened; go doubting and come away satisfied; go mourning and come away rejoicing; go blind and come away seeing.

Commentary on John 9:8-12

(Read John 9:8-12)

Those whose eyes are opened and whose hearts are cleansed by grace being known to be the same person but widely different in character live as monuments to the Redeemer's glory and recommend his grace to all who desire the same precious salvation. It is good to observe the way and method of God's works and they will appear the more wonderful. Apply this spiritually. In the work of grace wrought upon the soul we see the change but we see not the hand that makes it: the way of the Spirit is like that of the wind which thou hearest the sound of but canst not tell whence it comes nor whither it goes.

Commentary on John 9:13-17

(Read John 9:13-17)

Christ not only worked miracles on the sabbath but in such a manner as would give offence to the Jews for he would not seem to yield to the scribes and Pharisees. Their zeal for mere rites consumed the substantial matters of religion; therefore Christ would not give place to them. Also works of necessity and mercy are allowed and the sabbath rest is to be kept in order to the sabbath work. How many blind eyes have been opened by the preaching of the gospel on the Lord's day! how many impotent souls cured on that day! Much unrighteous and uncharitable judging comes from men's adding their own fancies to God's appointments. How perfect in wisdom and holiness was our Redeemer when his enemies could find nothing against him but the oft-refuted charge of breaking the sabbath! May we be enabled by well-doing to silence the ignorance of foolish men.

Commentary on John 9:18-23

(Read John 9:18-23)

The Pharisees vainly hoped to disprove this notable miracle. They expected a Messiah but could not bear to think that this Jesus should be he because his precepts were all contrary to their traditions and because they expected a Messiah in outward pomp and splendour. The fear of man brings a snare Proverbs 29:25 and often makes people deny and disown Christ and his truths and ways and act against their consciences. The unlearned and poor who are simple-hearted readily draw proper inferences from the evidences of the light of the gospel; but those whose desires are another way though ever learning never come to the knowledge of the truth.

Commentary on John 9:24-34

(Read John 9:24-34)

As Christ's mercies are most valued by those who have felt the want of them that have been blind and now see; so the most powerful and lasting affections to Christ arise from actual knowledge of him. In the work of grace in the soul though we cannot tell when and how and by what steps the blessed change was wrought yet we may take the comfort if we can say through grace Whereas I was blind now I see. I did live a worldly sensual life but thanks be to God it is now otherwise with me Ephesians 5:8. The unbelief of those who enjoy the means of knowledge and conviction is indeed marvellous. All who have felt the power and grace of the Lord Jesus wonder at the wilfulness of others who reject him. He argues strongly against them not only that Jesus was not a sinner but that he was of God. We may each of us know by this whether we are of God or not. What do we? What do we for God? What do we for our souls? What do we more than others?

Commentary on John 9:35-38

(Read John 9:35-38)

Christ owns those who own him and his truth and ways. There is particular notice taken of such a suffer in the cause of Christ and for the testimony of a good conscience. Our Lord Jesus graciously reveals himself to the man. Now he was made sensible what an unspeakable mercy it was to be cured of his blindness that he might see the Son of God. None but God is to be worshipped; so that in worshipping Jesus he owned him to be God. All who believe in him will worship him.

Commentary on John 9:39-41

(Read John 9:39-41)

Christ came into the world to give sight to those who were spiritually blind. Also that those who see might be made blind; that those who have a high conceit of their own wisdom might be sealed up in ignorance. The preaching of the cross was thought to be folly by such as by carnal wisdom knew not God. Nothing fortifies men's corrupt hearts against the convictions of the word more than the high opinion which others have of them; as if all that gained applause with men must obtain acceptance with God. Christ silenced them. But the sin of the self-conceited and self-confident remains; they reject the gospel of grace therefore the guilt of their sin remains unpardoned and the power of their sin remains unbroken.

── Matthew HenryConcise Commentary on John

 

John 9

Verse 3

[3] Jesus answered Neither hath this man sinned nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.

Jesus answered Neither hath this man sinned nor his parents — It was not the manner of our Lord to answer any questions that were of no use but to gratify an idle curiosity. Therefore he determines nothing concerning this. The scope of his answer is It was neither for any sins of his own nor yet of his parents; but that the power of God might be displayed.

Verse 4

[4] I must work the works of him that sent me while it is day: the night cometh when no man can work.

The night is coming — Christ is the light. When the light is withdrawn night comes when no man can work - No man can do any thing toward working out his salvation after this life is ended. Yet Christ can work always. But he was not to work upon earth only during the day or season which was appointed for him.

Verse 5

[5] As long as I am in the world I am the light of the world.

I am the light of the world — I teach men inwardly by my Spirit and outwardly by my preaching what is the will of God; and I show them by my example how they must do it.

Verse 6

[6] When he had thus spoken he spat on the ground and made clay of the spittle and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay

He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay — This might almost have blinded a man that had sight. But what could it do toward curing the blind? It reminds us that God is no farther from the event when he works either with or without means and that all the creatures are only that which his almighty operation makes them.

Verse 7

[7] And said unto him Go wash in the pool of Siloam (which is by interpretation Sent.) He went his way therefore and washed and came seeing.

Go wash at the pool of Siloam — Perhaps our Lord intended to make the miracle more taken notice of. For a crowd of people would naturally gather round him to observe the event of so strange a prescription and it is exceeding probable the guide who must have led him in traversing a great part of the city would mention the errand he was going upon and so call all those who saw him to a greater attention. From the fountain of Siloam which was without the walls of Jerusalem a little stream flowed into the city and was received in a kind of basin near the temple and called the pool of Siloam.

Which is by interpretation Sent — And so was a type of the Messiah who was sent of God.

He went and washed and came seeing — He believed and obeyed and found a blessing. Had he been wise in his own eyes and reasoned like Naaman on the impropriety of the means he had justly been left in darkness. Lord may our proud hearts be subdued to the methods of thy recovering grace! May we leave thee to choose how thou wilt bestow favours which it is our highest interest to receive on any terms.

Verse 11

[11] He answered and said A man that is called Jesus made clay and anointed mine eyes and said unto me Go to the pool of Siloam and wash: and I went and washed and I received sight.

A man called Jesus — He seems to have been before totally ignorant of him.

Verse 14

[14] And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes.

Anointing the eyes — With any kind of medicine on the Sabbath was particularly forbidden by the tradition of the elders.

Verse 16

[16] Therefore said some of the Pharisees This man is not of God because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them.

This man is not of God — Not sent of God.

How can a man that is a sinner — That is one living in wilful sin do such miracles?

Verse 17

[17] They say unto the blind man again What sayest thou of him that he hath opened thine eyes? He said He is a prophet.

What sayest thou of him for that he hath opened thine eyes? — What inference dost thou draw herefrom?

Verse 22

[22] These words spake his parents because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already that if any man did confess that he was Christ he should be put out of the synagogue.

He should be put out of the synagogue — That is be excommunicated.

Verse 27

[27] He answered them I have told you already and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples?

Are ye also — As well as I at length convinced and willing to be his disciples?

Verse 29

[29] We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow we know not from whence he is.

We know not whence he is — By what power and authority he does these things.

Verse 30

[30] The man answered and said unto them Why herein is a marvellous thing that ye know not from whence he is and yet he hath opened mine eyes.

The man answered — Utterly illiterate as he was. And with what strength and clearness of reason! So had God opened the eyes of his understanding as well as his bodily eyes.

Why herein is a marvellous thing that ye — The teachers and guides of the people should not know that a man who has wrought a miracle the like of which was never heard of before must be from heaven sent by God.

Verse 31

[31] Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God and doeth his will him he heareth.

We — Even we of the populace know that God heareth not sinners - Not impenitent sinners so as to answer their prayers in this manner. The honest courage of this man in adhering to the truth though he knew the consequence John 9:22 gives him claim to the title of a confessor.

Verse 33

[33] If this man were not of God he could do nothing.

He could do nothing — Of this kind; nothing miraculous.

Verse 34

[34] They answered and said unto him Thou wast altogether born in sins and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.

Born in sin — And therefore they supposed born blind.

They cast him out — Of the synagogue; excommunicated him.

Verse 35

[35] Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him he said unto him Dost thou believe on the Son of God?

Having found him — For he had sought him.

Verse 36

[36] He answered and said Who is he Lord that I might believe on him?

Who is he that I may believe? — This implies some degree of faith already. He was ready to receive whatever Jesus said.

Verse 37

[37] And Jesus said unto him Thou hast both seen him and it is he that talketh with thee.

Lord I believe — What an excellent spirit was this man of! Of so deep and strong an understanding; (as he had just shown to the confusion of the Pharisees ) and yet of so teachable a temper!

Verse 39

[39] And Jesus said For judgment I am come into this world that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.

For judgment am I come into the world — That is the consequence of my coming will be that by the just judgment of God while the blind in body and soul receive their sight they who boast they see will be given up to still greater blindness than before.

Verse 41

[41] Jesus said unto them If ye were blind ye should have no sin: but now ye say We see; therefore your sin remaineth.

If ye had been blind — Invincibly ignorant; if ye had not had so many means of knowing: ye would have had no sin - Comparatively to what ye have now.

But now ye say — Ye yourselves acknowledge Ye see therefore your sin remaineth - Without excuse without remedy.

── John WesleyExplanatory Notes on John

 

Chapter 9. Blind from Birth

Blindness of Physical Eyes: Able to See
Blindness of Mental Eyes: Unable to See

I. Healing of a man Born Blind

  1. Believe the Lord's Word
  2. Submit to the Lord's Word
  3. Mix Saliva with Clay

II. Progress of Knowing Jesus

  1. His Name Is Jesus
  2. He Is a Prophet
  3. The Son of God

III. Further Revelation

  1. See with Physical Eyes
  2. Open Mental Eyes
  3. Understand in Spiritual Eyes
── Chih-Hsin ChangAn Outline of The New Testament