John 9

1 Christ annointing the eys of one that was born blind with clay on the Sabbath,and commanding him to wash his eys in the water of Siloam,restores him to his sight, 8 which the blind man being asked by his Neighbours relates unto them, 13 and is brought to the Pharisees, to whom he also relate the same, 16 wherefore they reproach Christ as a breaker of the Sabbath, and doubt whether this (man) had been blinde, 18 and send again for his parents, who indeed acknowledge that he was born blinde, but further refer to their sons testimony; 24 whom they call and examine again. 27 Who answereth them, and by this work testifieth that Christ is no sinner but of God, 34 etc is therefore reproachfully thrust out by them. 35 The blind man being further instructed by Christ believeth in him and worshippeth him, 40 Christ telleth the Pharisees that they are spiritually blinde, and that therefore they remain in sin, because they do not acknowledge this.

1. And passing by, he saw a man blinde even from his birth, [namely, who sate and begged ver.8.]

2. And his Disciples asked him saying, Rabbi, who hath sinned? [That is, committed any speciall great sin] this (man) or his parents, that he should be born blinde? [It seemes that the Disciples were in this error, which then was in some of the Jews, that when a man dies, then his soule should goe again into another body, and that for this cause, the soul of him that was born blind should have sinned in another body.]

3. Jesus answered, neither hath this (man) sinned nor his parents [Namely, that he should therefore be born blinde] but (this came to pass) that the works of God should be manifested in him. [that is, of Gods mercy and power, when Christ should shew the same on him, thereby to confirm that he is the true Messias, according to the prediction, Isaiah 35:5]

4. I must work the works of him that sent me [Which are to preach the Gospel,and to confirm the same by miracles] as long as it is day,[that is,as long as this my life and the time of my ministry appointed by God shall endure] the night cometh when no man can work [that is,death after which as no man can do that which concerns his calling in this life,so neither shall I my self after my death any more do such kind of works upon Earth.]

5. As long as I am in the world [Gr. when] I am the light of the world. [that is,I must enlighten the world with my doctrine and miracles, although I am reproached and persecuted for it.]

6. Having said this,he spit on the Earth,and made clay of that spittle,and spread that clay on the eyes of the blind (man) [This sign Christ useth,not that there was any vertue therein,seeing the same serves rather to make one blinde,but to shew that the power to give sight came from him alone like as he also formed the whole man out of clay of the Earth, Gen.2.7.]

7. And said unto him go thy way,wash thee in the bath of Siloam [Of this Pool Isa.8.6. and Luke 13:4. Some think that it was the same water that is spoken of John 5:2.] (which is interpreted sent forth) he went his way therefore and washed himself and came seeing.

8. The neighbours therefore,and they that before had seen him [Gr.saw him] that he was blinde,said,is not this (he) that sate and begged. [namely,about the Temple as it seemeth by the last verse of the former chapter,compared with the first verse of this chapter. See the like Acts 3:2.]

9. Others said it is he,and others he is like him.He said,I am he?

10. Therefore said they unto him,how were thine eyes opened? [That is,how art thou become seeing.]

11. He answered and said the man called Jesus,made clay and stroaked mine eyes, [Gr. annointed] and said unto me,go thy way to the bath of Siloam and wash. And I went and washed,and I become seeing.[or I saw]

12. Then said they unto him,where is he? he said I know not.

13. They brought him to the Pharisees [they,namely the neighbours or acquaintance] him (namely) who before (had been) blinde.

14. and it was Sabbath when Jesus made the clay,and opened his eyes.

15. The Pharisees therefore asked him also again,how he was become seeing.And he said unto them,he laid clay on mine eyes,and I washed me and I see.

16. Some therefore of the Pharisees said,this man is not God, [Namely who on the Sabbath stroaked thine eyes with clay and opened them] for he holdeth [Gr. keepeth] not the Sabbath. Others said [namely of their Assembly,as Nicodemus or some such are like,John 7:50.] how can a man (that) is a sinner [that is,ungodly,or a publick despiser of Gods Law,like as they here accuse him] do such signs.And there was division amongst them?

17. They said again to the blind (man) : thou,what saist thou of him, seeing [or that] he hath opened thine eyes. And he said,he is a Prophet.

18. The Jews therefore [That is the Rulers of the Jews as appears from v.22.] believed not concerning him,that he had been blinde ,and had recovered his sight,[Gr.and saw,or was seeing] untill they had called the parents of him that had recovered his sight.

19. And they asked them saying,is this your son,whom ye say that he was born blinde? How then doth ye now see?

20. His parents answered them and said,we know that this is our son,and he was born blinde.

21. But how he now seeth we know not ; or who hath opened his eyes we know not :he hath (his) age,ask himself : he shall speak concerning himself.

22. This said his Parents because they feared the Jews. For the Jews had already made a decree together [That is,the Rulers of the Jews had agreed together] if any man should confess him to be Christ, that he should be cast out of the synagogue. [that is,excluded from the communion of the worship of God,as they are now accounted who are excommunicated out of the Church.]

23. Therefore said his Parents,he hath (his) age,ask himself :

24. Then they called the second time the man that had been blinde,and said unto him,give God the glory ; [Confess sincerely the truth before God,whereby his honour is given him as a knower of the hearts. See Josh.7.19 1 Sam.6.5.] we know that this man is a sinner ;[that is a notorious transgressour of Gods Law.]

25. Then he answered and said,whether he be a sinner I know not : one thing I know ,I was blinde and now see.

26. And they said again unto him,[Namely the third time,to see whether they could entrap him in any thing] what did he to thee? how opened he thine eys?

27. He answered them I have told you aleady, and ye have no heard it,[That is,would not understand or receive it] why will ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples :

28. Then they gave him reviling words and said,thou art his Disciple : but we are Moses disciples.

29. We know that God spake to Moses ; but this (fellow) we know not whence he is. [That is,from whom he is sent,and hath received power to teach,which is not repugnant to what they said before, John 7:27. for there they speak of his Countrey.]

30. The man answered and said unto them,herein truly is (somewhat) wonderfull,that ye know not whence he is,and (yet) he hath opened mine eyes.[That is,hath shewed by such an excellent miracle that he is sent from God,as he concludes v.33. see also John 3:2.]

31. And we know that god heareth not sinners [See v.16.24.] but if any man be godly and doth his will,him he heareth?

32. From (any ) age [That is,as long as the world hath stood] hath it not been heard,that any one hath opened the eyes, [that is,hath given sight,see v.10.] of one that was born blinde.

33. If this (man) were not from God, [Namely,come or sent] he would be able to do nothing.[Gr.not anything,namely,such like.]

34. They answered and said unto him,thou art wholly born in sin, [See before v.1.2.] and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.[Gr. without,that is, out of their congregation or synagogue, as v.22.]

35. Jesus heard that they had cast him out,and finding him he said unto him, dost thou believe in the Son of God.

36. He answered and said,who is he,Lord,that I may believe in him.

37. And Jesus said unto him,thou hast both seen him,and he that speaketh with thee,the same is he.

38. And he said, I believe Lord: and he worshipped him.[Namely,as now acknowleding him to be the son of God.]

39. And Jesus said,I am come into this world for judgement [That is,with power to execute judgements of God, as well as punishing the contemners of his word ,to whom the same is a savour of death,as in the receiving of penitent sinners,to whom it is a savour of life,2 Cor.2.16.] that they that see you [that is,who know their spiritual blindness,and desire to be delivered from it] may see ; [that is,may be brought to the true and saving knowledge of God] and they that see [that is,they that presume they have this knowledge,which notwithstanding they have not aright,Rom.1.22. and 2.18.] may become blinde. [that is,that they despising the light of the gospel,by Gods just judgement may be left in their blindness, and be more and more hardned. See Psa.69.24. Isa.6.9. Mat.13.14.]

40. And (some) of the Pharisees which were with him heard this,and said unto him, are we (then) blinde also.

41. Jesus said unto them,if ye were blinde [That is, if out of simple ignorance ye did not embrace my doctrine,or if ye were sensible of your ignorance and blindness] ye should have no sin, [that is,not so great and incurable a sin, John 15:22.] but now ye say, we see : therefore your sin abideth. [namely,lying upon you as an incurable sickness.]