John: Eyes Wide Open

John 9:1-41 

“Prove it!” That’s what the high school runners said to our junior high track coach when he shared our team’s performance for the 400-meter relay. So, he made us rerun the race. That afternoon, we didn’t disappoint, much to our coach’s relief.

It’s validating when our actions align with our words. That’s what we observe in today's passage. Jesus declared that he was the “light of the world” (John 8:12). Now he demonstrates it by opening the eyes of a man born blind. 

John begins chapter 9 with these words: “As [Jesus] passed by, he saw a man blind from birth” (John 9:1). Jesus is likely still in Jerusalem. The time frame is probably between the Feast of Booths (John 7:2) and the Feast of Dedication (John 10:22). The disciples were with Jesus and asked an interesting theological question:

John 9:2-5
And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

Who Sinned? (John 9:1-7)
The disciples assumed that sin was the reason for the man’s condition.[1] This was a common view in Judaism, supported by references to Ezekiel 18:20 (“The soul who sins shall die.”) and Psalm 89:32, indicating that there is no punishment without guilt. The rabbis even taught that if a pregnant woman worshiped in a pagan temple, her unborn child also committed idolatry. Jesus corrects this faulty theology. The man’s blindness would display God's power.

Throughout his earthly ministry, Jesus healed people in various ways. Sometimes he healed from a distance or issued a command, and at other times, by his touch, a person was healed. In this instance, he made mud with his saliva, “anointed the man’s eyes with the mud,” and told him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam.” By faith, the man went, washed his face in the pool, and “came back seeing” (John 9:6-7). 

Jesus explained to his disciples:

John 9:4-5
We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.^.

This statement connects this miracle to Jesus’ claim in John 8:12 that he is the “light of the world.” The physical healing affirms Jesus’ identity, prompting people to decide whether they believe in him. The NET Bible notes explain this by stating, “‘Light’ is not a metaphysical definition of the person of Jesus but a description of his effect on the world, forcing everyone in the world to ‘choose up sides’ for or against him” (cf. 3:19-21).^[2]

Who Healed? (John 9:8-34)
The man’s friends and neighbors were amazed by the miracle, even wondering if he was the same beggar. When they asked what had happened, he explained what Jesus had done, but he didn’t know where Jesus had gone after the healing (John 9:8-12).

This event occurred on the Sabbath. When the people brought the former blind man to the Pharisees, they insisted that the miracle worker could not be from God, “for he does not keep the Sabbath” (John 9:16). However, there was disagreement among them. Some asked, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” (John 13-17). 

The religious leaders questioned the parents of the man to verify that he was born blind. By this time, the parents knew who had healed their son, but they were afraid of the Pharisees, who had declared that anyone who confessed Jesus as the Messiah was no longer welcome at the synagogue. The parents replied, “He is of age; ask him” (John 9:23). 

This part of the story about the parents always baffles me. Their son, who was born blind, was now able to see! But instead of praising the Healer, they focused on their fear of the Jews. 

The religious leaders brought the healed man back for more questioning. I love this exchange between him and the leaders. The man whose sight had been miraculously restored doesn’t back down and even uses sarcasm to make his point.

John 9:26-34
They said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” He answered them, “I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?” And they reviled him, saying, “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from.” The man answered, “Why, this is an amazing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him. Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind.  If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” They answered him, “You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?” And they cast him out. 

Remember, religious leaders were considered experts in the Old Testament. However, they were ignoring the prophecies in Isaiah that state the Messiah would open the eyes of the blind (Isa. 35:3-6; 42:6-7; 61:1). Tragically, spiritual blindness prevents us from seeing what is right in front of us. 

“Lord, I believe” (John 9:35-41)
This passage teaches us an important lesson. Healing the body is not the same as healing the soul. When Jesus learned that the man had been banished from the synagogue, he found him and introduced himself—this time not as a healer but as the Son of Man, the Messiah (John 9:35-37). The man responds to Jesus by saying, “‘Lord, I believe,’ and he worshiped him” (John 9:38).  

Jesus explains that he came into the world to bring light to the spiritually blind and to show the religious leaders, who thought they were enlightened, just how spiritually blind they were (John 9:39).

In today’s passage, Jesus said that, while he was in the world, he was the light of the world. Now that he is no longer here in bodily form, the responsibility to be the light falls on each believer. Jesus tells each one who trusts in him, “You are the light of the world” (Matt. 5:14; see Eph. 5:8-14). Every day, our responsibility is to point people to the “Light” and to demonstrate through the Spirit’s work within us that Jesus has transformed our lives. 

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
Time in the Word: Read and reflect on John 9:1-41. How are you demonstrating that Jesus has changed your life?

Talking to God: Ask God to help you shine bright and reveal the Person and Work of Jesus.

Have Questions?
Be sure to send your questions to our team. We are happy to assist you as we study God's Word together. Please submit your question below, and we'll respond shortly. Let us know if you’d like to learn more about a relationship with Jesus or if you desire spiritual counsel.

Know Jesus more intimately.
Love Jesus more passionately.
Follow Jesus wholeheartedly.