John 15 Healing the Blind Man

#15
John 9:1-7
Healing the Blind Man (Part 1)
“And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? 3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. 4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. 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, 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.
The Wrong Worldview
"Why do bad things happen to good people?" This is a huge question. It's been asked over and over by people all around the world. Why? Because we find ourselves in a world full of injustice and suffering.
Some have attempted to answer this perplexing question by assuming the premise is just incorrect. All bad things are deserved because all people have done bad things. If a man loses his health, job, and family, it must be because he did something awful to deserve it. If a country has a famine, or hurricane, or virus, it must be just punishment for some national sins.
This answer is usually given from good motives. It's an apologetic answer, meaning it's given to defend God. Suffering must have a just cause. It must have an explanation. God cannot be unjust, and suffering cannot be gratuitous. God must have sufficient reasons for all the pain in the world.
Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar shared this type of worldview, and they defended God against the attacks of Job. Their main point is God is just! So, Job's suffering must be deserved. They weren't great friends to Job, but at least they stood up for God.
Surely God appreciated that, right? Apparently not. In their zeal to explain God and rationalize suffering, they misspoke. They said things about God which were not so (Job 42:7-8).
There are entire religious structures predicated on God's justice being meted out through suffering in the world. If you see someone with a disability, it must be because of some sin in their life or possibly punishment for a grievous sin committed in a previous life. Even at the secular level, when God is removed, many people still assume this to be the inevitable rule of life.
When a homeless man is sitting on the ground, in dirty clothes, missing teeth, thin and hungry, many (without knowing him, his experiences, or his story) will immediately assume the worst about his character: "He's just lazy and needs to get a job!" "If you give him money, he'll just spend it on drugs and alcohol." "I heard about someone who just faked being homeless to rip people off, then drove away in a Mercedes at the end of the day."
The Wrong Question
This is the setting of our next great sign of Jesus. Jesus and his disciples are walking along, and they see a man who had been born blind. Rather than feeling compassion, seeing his humanity, or trying to find any small way to help, the disciples turn to Jesus and ask whose fault it is: "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?" (John 9:2).
That's a heartless question to ask when you see a person in need. "Is this guy awful, or is he just from an awful family?" Notice the logic, though. If someone is experiencing suffering, there must have been some grave sin committed. In order for God to be just, there must be some sort of just explanation for this suffering. Someone did something to deserve this.
Jesus rejects this idea outright. His answer is, "he neither sinned nor his parents" (John 9:3). Jesus wants to change the way His disciples think about those in need. He wants to change the way we think about those in need. Rather than seeing the pain in others as evidence of their sin or failures, try instead to see it as an opportunity to glorify God. See it as an opportunity to display and "work the works of God" (John 9:3-4).
Perhaps the disciples would have been content to walk right past this man as they debated retributive justice and the theology of individual vs. inherited sin. Jesus won't have it.
When you see someone in need, it's not the time to judge, and it's not the time to theologize, it's the time to work. It's time for the love of God to make an appearance.
The Light of the World
Jesus emphasizes the need to be busy working (John 9:4). It's because day is here and night is coming. It's hard to work when the lights go out. In John, there is a constant contrast between light and darkness, day and night, sight and blindness. While Jesus is on earth, He is bringing light to the world. He is the Sight and the Day and the Light. Jesus says, "I am the Light of the world" (John 9:5).
This is how Jesus is first introduced in the prologue: "In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it ... There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man" (John 1:4-9). So, from the beginning, we've known this about Jesus.
Now, in John 9, we're about to get some evidence as to what it really means. What does the Light do when a blind man is in need?
Darkness pretends not to see the man. Darkness walks right past him. Darkness judges and wags its head. Darkness treats this man the way the passersby treated Jesus on the cross. They look, they see suffering, and they immediately blame. Jesus will put an end to the darkness. He will shine the light right on this man, and many will see it. Jesus will enlighten this man. Jesus will change the definitions of light and darkness and blindness and sight.
At the beginning of this story, the blind man can't see and is assumed to be a sinner. At the end of the story, the blind man sees, believes, and worships (John 9:38). Those who see at the beginning are revealed to be blind; the righteous spiritual leaders are revealed to be sinners.
Jesus explains, “For judgment, I came into this world so that those who do not see may see and those who see may become blind.” Those of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these things and said to Him, “We are not blind too, are we?” Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but since you say, ‘We see,’ your sin remains” (John 9:39-41).
This brief dialogue is absolutely loaded with symbolism, mixed metaphors, and layers of meaning. Jesus does not stop to differentiate between literal blindness and spiritual blindness. He leaves the riddle in the air for us to grapple with in our own minds.
As we continue, we'll look a little deeper into how this role-reversing metaphor actually works. For now just consider a possible change of mind. When you see a stranger on the street, what is your first thought? When you see someone in prison, are you quick to judge? How many were guilty of passing by this blind man assuming the worst? How many were guilty of passing by Jesus as He was executed by the Romans and assuming guilt? Would you have been one?
What if we saw these as opportunities to be lights in a dark situation to show the love and glory of God instead of the darkness and neglect of the world? We want to suggest we just hold our judgment a bit longer. We want to suggest we proceed with caution before we say, "We see clearly, but you are blind." Sometimes, the one who "sees" is the one in darkness, and the Light is coming to the one who is blind.
HEALING THE BLIND MAN (PART 2)
The Gift of Sight
There's not much we hate more than not being able to see. When a person or an object blocks our view, we might stand on our tip toes, turn our head, stretch our neck, or do whatever we can, but sometimes we just miss it. It drives us crazy when we miss it. At the same time, there's not much we enjoy more than seeing. Seeing our wife and children playing in the yard when we get home from the office.
Seeing a beautiful sunrise over the mountains. Seeing a friend. On vacation, our favorite things to do are to go somewhere we've never been, eat their local food, hike, and see incredible stuff. There is so much we still want to see.
In John 9, Jesus meets a man who has never seen anything. He's never seen a smile, the stars in the night, a tree, a stream, a friend. He has seen nothing. He was born blind. He couldn't work. He couldn't support a family. He was a beggar. Then, Jesus changed all that. Jesus gave this man a gift no one else could.
What indescribable joy and opportunity now lay in front of him. As amazing as that truly is, it's not actually the true point of the event. John doesn't just tell stories for the purpose of learning history. There are layers to his stories: layers of what the characters in the story are experiencing, layers of what the original readers are thinking many years later, and deep spiritual truths from which we are all to glean.
The signs are truly about that deeper spiritual layer. Jesus did an amazing sign by giving sight to this blind man, but to what does it point? What does it actually mean?
We think the true meaning of the sign is seen at the beginning and the end of the event. Before healing the man, Jesus is asked whose fault it was this man was born blind? Jesus responds, "It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work. While I am in the world, I Am the Light of the world" (John 9:3-5). This is how Jesus introduces the sign.
New Creation
When Jesus says, "I am the Light of the World," His point is not He is the sun or His face and appearance are astoundingly, blindingly, bright. Light is used metaphorically to describe spiritual illumination and enlightenment: "There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man" (John 1:9).
This description, this whole story, is a picture of new creation. It connects strongly with Genesis 1, where God saw darkness over the whole earth, so He said, "Let there be light." In Genesis 1:5, God equates light with day and darkness with night; Jesus does the same in John 9:4-5. Jesus then adds the concepts of sight and blindness to the new creation motif.
Think for a moment about God's original creation. Think about the blissful Garden of Eden. There was no sickness, infirmity, or death. There was no blindness. When Jesus restores this man's sight, He is not only doing a brand-new thing. He is also doing an ancient thing. He is restoring this man to what He was originally created to be. In God's original creation, no one was to be blind. Jesus is engaging in new creation He is giving this man a glimpse (literally) of what life on earth was supposed to be.
Eden seems to be the goal of so much of His ministry. His teaching on divorce goes back to Eden (Mark 10:6-8). His reversal of Adam's sin (Romans 5:18) is a return to Eden. His miraculous healings show people what their lives were supposed to be, what they would have been in Eden. Even resurrection goes back to the ideal in the garden with the Tree of Life, when there was no death.
Sin is responsible for our expulsion from the garden and all the darkness, pain, suffering, and death that are present in the world. That's why the resurrected Jesus is called the "Last Adam" (1 Corinthians 15:45). It was not because "this man or his parents" sinned that he was born blind, but because we left Eden, and the entire world is in darkness. "Men loved darkness rather than the Light" (John 3:19).
This blind man is a picture, an illustration, of what Jesus is doing in the world. He is, in a real way, recreating Eden. He is recreating what God did in Genesis 1. Perhaps this is how Jesus will "work the works of Him who sent Me" (John 9:4). God's work is creation, light, and goodness. By being the Light of the World and giving sight to the blind, Jesus is doing God's work. This blind man represents the world without Jesus. Giving him sight is a picture of Jesus' ministry, an illustration of His Light, which shines in the darkness and enlightens the world.
Role Reversal
However, not all will come to see. The flip side of Jesus' ministry is many who think they see will find out they are blind. There is no sight without Jesus. Anyone who thinks he can see on his own, trusting in his own wisdom or righteousness, is blinding himself to God's truth. Jesus says, "For judgment I came into this world, so that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may become blind" (John 9:39). The Light is blinding. When the Light entered the world, so did judgment. Darkness cannot remain as it did. Darkness is condemned by the presence of the Light.
This healing really shows the blindness of the Pharisees. An incredible, unprecedented miracle has taken place right in front of them. The blind man is the only one who sees it! "Since the beginning of time it has never been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind. If this man were not from God, He could do nothing" (John 9:32-33).
The Pharisees had eyes to see this man. They had eyes to see Jesus. They had eyes to see an incredible sign had taken place. Sadly, rather than seeing the Light of the World, they were blinded by it. Some will begin to see everything because of Him. Some will be blinded because of Him. What we must answer is, what will the Light of the World do with us?
Thanks be to God He gives sight to the blind!
Now, please answer the questions in this lesson.
HEALING THE BLIND MAN PART 3
8 The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged? 9 Some said, This is he: others said, He is like him: but he said, I am he. 10 Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened? 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. 12 Then said they unto him, Where is he? He said, I know not.
13 They brought to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind. 14 And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes.
Signs Point to Something.
You're probably getting tired of hearing it, but signs are meant to point to something. They are not merely miracles but, they are lessons with spiritual application. This sign of healing this blind man is no different. I think the primary lesson is how Jesus, Light of the world, brings vision, color, and clarity to a world of darkness. Those who are blind will now be able to see because of Jesus. Those who "see" will only realize how blind they truly are.
Much can be learned by looking at the actual way Jesus performed signs. Take a moment and read Ezekiel 4. Ezekiel grabs bricks, inscribes cities, lays siege to them, builds an iron wall, lies on his left side for 390 days, then his right side for 40 days, and then he makes bread and cooks it over cow dung. Why is he doing all of this? It's a sign. It illustrates something. It is supposed to be out of the ordinary. People are supposed to notice and be shocked. That's exactly the type of thing Jesus is doing when He heals the blind man.
Making the Clay
The way Jesus performed the sign is interesting on a number of levels. For one thing, He made clay. He didn't just use His hands to touch the man's eyes; He spat, kneaded dirt, made clay, and rubbed it on the man's eyes. He could have healed the man by blinking, or shouting "See!" or waving His hands around. He could have done it any number of ways. He didn't have to spit and rub mud on the man, so why do it this way? I believe it was an intentional act to separate the honest from the hard-hearted. It was meant to cause division. Watering the ground and making clay was forbidden on Sabbath. Certainly, the intention of the Law of Moses was not to forbid spitting or healing on the Sabbath, but things had become so rigidly defined that even making a small amount of clay was forbidden by Sabbath tradition.
Does this sound familiar? It should. Recall the events depicted in John 5. Healing the man at the pool of Bethesda did not violate the Sabbath, but when Jesus told him to "take up your bed and walk" (John 5:8), He was just inciting people. Carrying your bed was forbidden on the Sabbath just like making clay was forbidden on the Sabbath. Jesus is purposefully stirring up controversy. Notice the way the story is told, "Now it was Sabbath on the day when Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes" (John 9:14).
This is where you see what people's hearts are really like. Will you care more about spitting on the Sabbath or a blind man miraculously gaining sight? Some people think it doesn't matter the man was healed; we know Jesus can't be from God because He just broke the Sabbath. He's a sinner! Others think it doesn't matter. He just broke the Sabbath; he just did something that's never been done before; he healed a man born blind! He's clearly not a sinner! Jesus gives people something to determine who will really, honestly care about the sign.
Healing from a Distance
It is also interesting that this is another example of Jesus healing from a distance. Just like He saw Nathaniel from a distance (John 1:47-49) and healed the royal official's son from a distance (John 4:51-54), Jesus also heals this man from a distance. Time, space, and distance have no power over Jesus. He was nowhere around when the blind man was healed. In fact, the blind man didn't even know where Jesus was (John 9:12). How could he? He was still blind when he was last with Jesus. By the time he got to the pool, washed, and could see, Jesus was already gone. He had no idea what Jesus looked like until John 9:37, when Jesus says, "You have both seen Him, and He is the one who is talking with you." This is an illustration of Jesus' power over time, distance, and creation.
Washing with Water
Also of note is it took "washing" for the man to see. Washing and water both seem to have symbolic meanings in the Gospel of John. One must be born of "water and Spirit" to enter the kingdom of Heaven (John 3:5). Jesus offers "living water" that leads to eternal life (John 4:10-14). Jesus cries out, "'If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, "From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water."' But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive" (John 7:37-39).
Jesus tells Peter, "If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me" (John 13:8). John 13:11 makes it clear He is talking about more than just cleaning dirty feet (even after his feet were washed, Judas was still "unclean"). At His death when His side is pierced, "blood and water" poured out (John 19:34). When this man washed his eyes with water, He regained His sight. When the Light of the world gives you sight through washing with water, there is symbolism taking place. Perhaps this "washing" has a deeper meaning also. Perhaps, like His references to the Lord's Supper (John 6:53-58), He gives glimpses of baptism in symbolic language also.
Pool of Siloam, Sent
The symbolism is even more apparent when you realize he washed in "the pool of Siloam (which is translated, Sent)" (John 9:7). What an interesting name. The idea of being sent is a major theme in the Gospel of John (John 1:6; 3:17; 5:36; 6:29; 7:29; 17:8, 18; 20:21) and many more passages. This whole story is introduced by Jesus saying, "We must work the works of Him who sent Me" (John 9:3). Jesus is the One sent by God. The blind man, without seeing Jesus, goes to wash at the place sent, and comes back seeing. Perhaps the pool called "Sent" represents the One who was sent. Perhaps we must follow the example of this blind man if we are to receive sight from the Light of the World. We go to the One sent, we wash in water, and we receive sight. Jesus came so those "who do not see may see." Perhaps this is a similar picture to being "born again with water and Spirit" to "see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3-5). He physically washed so he could physically see. Perhaps we're called to spiritually wash so we can spiritually see.
Now, please answer the questions in this lesson.
HEALING THE BLIND MAN (PART 4)
John 9:14-41
14It was a Sabbath when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes.
15Again therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he received his sight. He said to them, “He put mud on my eyes, I washed, and I see.”
16Some therefore of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, because he doesn’t keep the Sabbath.” Others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” There was division among them.
17Therefore they asked the blind man again, “What do you say about him, because he opened your eyes?” He said, “He is a prophet.”
18The Jews therefore did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and had received his sight, until they called the parents of him who had received his sight,
19and asked them, “Is this your son, whom you say was born blind? How then does he now see?”
20His parents answered them, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind;
21but how he now sees, we don’t know; or who opened his eyes, we don’t know. He is of age. Ask him. He will speak for himself.”
22His parents said these things because they feared the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed that if any man would confess him as Christ, he would be put out of the synagogue.
23Therefore his parents said, “He is of age. Ask him.”
24So they called the man who was blind a second time, and said to him, “Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner.”
25He therefore answered, “I don’t know if he is a sinner. One thing I do know: that though I was blind, now I see.”
26They said to him again, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?”
27He answered them, “I told you already, and you didn’t listen. Why do you want to hear it again? You don’t also want to become his disciples, do you?”
28They insulted him and said, “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses.
29We know that God has spoken to Moses. But as for this man, we don’t know where he comes from.”
30The man answered them, “How amazing! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes.
31We know that God doesn’t listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God, and does his will, he listens to him.
32Since the world began it has never been heard of that anyone opened the eyes of someone born blind.
33If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.”
34They answered him, “You were altogether born in sins, and do you teach us?” They threw him out.
35Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and finding him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of God?”
36He answered, “Who is he, Lord, that I may believe in him?”
37Jesus said to him, “You have both seen him, and it is he who speaks with you.”
38He said, “Lord, I believe!” and he worshiped him.
39Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment, that those who don’t 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, “Are we also blind?”
41Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, ‘We see.’ Therefore your sin remains.
Divisive Jesus
Jesus has always been a divisive figure. People respond to Him with worship and praise, hatred and murder, and everything in-between. John writes, "a division occurred in the crowd because of Him" (John 7:43) and "a division occurred again among the Jews because of these words [of Jesus]" (John 10:19). This happened regularly. When Jesus comes around, expect things to get uncomfortable. That's exactly what happens when He meets the man born blind.
This man was a well-known beggar. He had parents and neighbors and a life. People saw him every day. He only survived on the scraps he could get from others. It's amazing he reached adulthood. Then Jesus changed everything. Jesus spat on the ground, made some mud, sent him to a pool, and he was healed. He came back seeing. When this happened, people talked: his parents, his neighbors, the whole community. This miracle did not go unnoticed.
Division among his Neighbors
You must note, however, that not everybody was convinced. The neighbors couldn't agree if this was actually the same man they all once knew. Some were saying, "'Is not this the one who used to sit and beg?' Others were saying, 'This is he,' still others were saying, 'No, but he is like him.' He kept saying, 'I am the one'" (John 9:8-9).
It was such an amazing transformation they couldn't even tell if he was the same person. Perhaps reading this should cause us to ask ourselves a few questions. When we go from blindness to sight after contacting the Light of the World, can people see this change in us? Does it amaze people you are really the same person you used to be? Jesus made this man almost unrecognizable. Jesus changed not only his eyesight but his whole life and reputation. What change transpired in you when you came to Jesus?
Division among the Pharisees
Now, the Pharisees enter the story. They need to make a judgment on the issue. Remember from the last lesson, the primary Sabbath issue is not healing the man, but mixing saliva and dirt to make clay: "It was a Sabbath when Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes" (John 9:14). So when he tells them what happened, the Pharisees respond in different ways, "some of the Pharisees were saying, 'This man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath.' But others were saying, 'How can a man who is a sinner perform such signs?' And there was a division among them" (John 9:16; cf. John 7:43; 10:19). Notice the two types of people. Some thought He sinned by making the clay; he cannot be from God. Others thought He healed a blind man; he could not be a sinner. Some missed the forest for the trees.
Some were focused more on the mud than the man. Some saw the Sabbath and not the sign.
Division in His Family
Just like the neighbors, the Pharisees wanted to verify this actually was the same man who had been born blind, so they found his parents. It turns out his parents were well aware of three facts:
1. He was their son.
2. He was healed by Jesus.
3. Confessing Jesus will have dire consequences.
It will get them kicked out of the synagogue. So, while they admit he was their son who was born blind, they refused to admit he was healed by Jesus. They tried to remove themselves from the situation by saying, "Ask our son, he is old enough to answer for himself." They put their own son in a difficult spot but not themselves. "His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews" (John 9:22). Fear kept them from confession.
A Man Comes to Faith
Jealousy, hatred, and fear are all determining factors when people react to Jesus. A noteworthy fact about this whole conflict, though, is Jesus wasn't even around for it. He rubbed clay on the man's eyes, and that's the last we see of Him. After that, the man washes and is healed, doubted by his neighbors, accused by the Pharisees, and betrayed by His parents. He doesn't even know what Jesus looks like. He still hasn't seen Jesus. He doesn't have all the answers to the controversy, but he says, "One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see" (John 9:25). He knows a sign took place, and it changed his life. He knows whoever healed him must be a powerful prophet (John 9:17).
The Pharisees claim to be disciples of Moses rather than Jesus (John 9:28). If they were truly disciples of Moses, they would know Jesus because Moses wrote about Him (John 5:46). They trust Moses because God spoke through Moses. It's difficult to trust someone new whom you don't know. In response, the previously blind man offers a profound point: God wouldn't hear Jesus if He were a sinner, but God did hear and do an amazing work through Him. This singular event in human history has never happened before (John 9:32). That's what this blind man knew. That is a powerful proclamation of Jesus. In disgust, the Pharisees expel him from the synagogue and arrogantly hurl the accusation: "You were born entirely in sins, and you are teaching us?" Remember the question that the disciples asked Jesus when they first saw this man: "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?" (John 9:2). Well, the Pharisees just gave their answer but notice how different it is from what Jesus said. They see his blindness as an indication that he is a sinner from birth; Jesus sees it as an opportunity to show the works of God. The Pharisees couldn't answer the man and did not help him, but they could disgrace, blame, and silence him. Neither his neighbors nor his parents came to his aid, but Jesus did. Jesus found him (remember, he still doesn't know who Jesus is or what He looks like) and asked: "'Do you believe in the Son of Man?' He answered, 'Who is He Lord, that I may believe in Him?' Jesus said to him, 'You have both seen Him, and He is the one who is talking with you.' And he said, 'Lord, I believe.' And he worshipped Him" (John 9:35-39).
This is the perfect example of what John has been trying to get his readers to do. To "come and see" who Jesus truly is. There are many opinions about Him. Some think He has a demon. Some think He is a blasphemer. Some think He is a sinner who breaks the Sabbath. Some think He is a prophet (John 4:19; 6:14; 9:17), the Lamb of God (John 1:29, 36), and the Savior of the world (John 4:42). Some even come to believe He is God (John 20:28). How do we know which view is correct? Watch the signs, hear the testimonies, be honest, and believe. This blind man may not have known much, but he knew, "though I was blind, now I see" (John 9:25).
15 Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see. 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. 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.
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 that had received his sight. 19 And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? how then doth he now see? 20 His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind: 21 but by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself. 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. 23 Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him.
24 Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner. 25 He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see. 26 Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes? 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? 28 Then they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are Moses’ disciples. 29 We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is. 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. 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. 32 Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind. 33 If this man were not of God, he could do nothing. 34 They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.
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? 36 He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? 37 And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. 38 And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.
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. 40 And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also? 41 Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.

Samuel Matthews

John 15 Healing the Blind Man

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