I was blind, now can see - Pt. III

15 Then the Pharisees also were asking him again how he received his sight. And he said to them, “He applied clay to my eyes, and I washed, and I see.”

John 9:16 NASB95

16 Therefore 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.

OK, now we have the context let’s look at the first couple of verses

John 9:17 NASB95

17 So they said to the blind man again, “What do you say about Him, since He opened your eyes?” And he said, “He is a prophet.”

John 9:18 NASB95

18 The Jews then did not believe it of him, that he had been blind and had received sight, until they called the parents of the very one who had received his sight,

(Blind man questioned Picture here)

Who is the “they” (v.17)? Who is the “Him”?

Who did not believe who (v.18)? Because of unbelief what did they do?

Most of the leaders did not believe, did not believe that Jesus was from God. Notice (v.16) it was only some.

The blind man believed Jesus to be a prophet. Now Jesus did not say the man would be healed (but implied) but told him what to do. It called for faith of the man.

The leaders then did not believe the man was born blind, called for the parents. It was easier to believe he was not really born blind, then to believe this phenomenon.

Commentator Tasker said:

“Unable to explain this unprecedented phenomenon of a man born blind being enabled to see, they will not admit that it has really happened.”

Parents questioned (9:19-23)

John 9:19–20 NASB95

19 and questioned them, saying, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? Then how does he now see?” 20 His parents answered them and said, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind;

John 9:21 NASB95

21 but how he now sees, we do not know; or who opened his eyes, we do not know. Ask him; he is of age, he will speak for himself.”

John 9:22 NASB95

22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone confessed Him to be Christ, he was to be put out of the synagogue.

John 9:23 NASB95

23 For this reason his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.”

What were the questions asked of the parents (v.19)?

What did the parents know, and not know (vv.20-21)?

Why were the parents afraid (v.22-23)?

The religious leaders come with guile towards the parents

Parents verify, and this should have led them to believe that a man of God was among them, but yet there were not moved and did not believe.

Have you ever presented all the evidence of the bible, of Jesus, the gospel and yet people did not believe?

The parents answer beyond that, to their second question turned everything back to the son for they were afraid of being put out (excommunicated).

Side note: The leadership, the Jews, had already agreed to put out anyone who professed Jesus as from God, of God. That He was the Messiah. Put out, well let me give an example of excommunication in the O.T.

Ezra 10:8 NASB95

8 and that whoever would not come within three days, according to the counsel of the leaders and the elders, all his possessions should be forfeited and he himself excluded from the assembly of the exiles.

More info on excommunication from Dodds:

“The practice in the ancient Jewish world: Of excommunication there were three degrees: the first lasted for thirty days; then followed by a second admonition, and if impenitent the culprit was punished for thirty days more; and if still impenitent he was laid under the CHerem or ban, which wa sindinite duration, and which entirely cut him off from intercourse with others. He ws treaded as if he were a leper.”

Another thing to remember back in (9:16) there were some who believed, but would not say anything for they did not want to be put out.

Does not matter the age of a child, a parent wants to protect the child. In this case the parents looked out for themselves and told the Jews to deal directly with the “of age” child.

Previously blind man questioned (9:24-25)

John 9:24 NASB95

24 So a second time they called the man who had been blind, and said to him, “Give glory to God; we know that this man is a sinner.”

John 9:25 NASB95

25 He then answered, “Whether He is a sinner, I do not know; one thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.”

What did the leaders call the man to do, and why (v.24)?

What was the response (v.25)?

In how the question was asked, seemed harsh like dealing with the parents. They are demanding answer from him, about a man he still has never seen.

He tells them he knows not if the man called Jesus is a sinner or not. Just that he was blind but now can see.

Think about that spiritually speaking, was there a time when you were blind, but now can see?

F.F. Bruce said this:

“From time to time Christians are confronted with questions meant to embarrass or mock, questions about some science or social issue or another. One doesn’t have to be an expert in all those things, though the more one knows the better. more than anything, we may simply say: ‘I don’t know about all that; but this I know: Once I was blind, now I see.”

One more thought before moving on: We do not base our faith on a personal experience but by the truth of God’s word, what His word reveals. Now our experience can be an addition to help others to asks about about the hope that is in us, that is shown through God’s word, since Jesus is our hope.

Man’s response (9:26-27)

John 9:26 NASB95

26 So they said to him, “What did He do to you? How did He open your eyes?”

John 9:27 NASB95

27 He answered them, “I told you already and you did not listen; why do you want to hear it again? You do not want to become His disciples too, do you?”

In (v.26) there were two questions asked, could the man answer both, and why?

What more do we learn about the man (v.27)?

Over and over again, same questions asked. and the same answer would be given.

The man is biting back on them now, what, do you want to be His disciple too?

Man excommunicated (9:28-34)

John 9:28 NASB95

28 They reviled him and said, “You are His disciple, but we are disciples of Moses.

John 9:29 NASB95

29 “We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where He is from.”

John 9:30 NASB95

30 The man answered and said to them, “Well, here is an amazing thing, that you do not know where He is from, and yet He opened my eyes.

John 9:31 NASB95

31 “We know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is God-fearing and does His will, He hears him.

John 9:32 NASB95

32 “Since the beginning of time it has never been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind.

John 9:33–34 NASB95

33 “If this man were not from God, He could do nothing.” 34 They answered him, “You were born entirely in sins, and are you teaching us?” So they put him out.

They reviled the man, what did they acknowledge about the man, and themselves (v.28)?

What did they say about Jesus (v.29)?

In summary how did the man respond to the men from (v.29) in (vv.30-33)?

What was the results of what the man said (v.34)?

(Excommunicated picture Here)

The claim that they did not know where “this man” was from was about Jesus.

Jesus had previously told them where He was from and where He was going (Jn8:23-24)

They claim they are disciples of Moses, but have traded the law for traditions of man, so truly not a disciple of Moses.

The man responds -Here is the proof, and yet you do not believe.

They respond God does not hear sinners, but if they are God-fearing and does His will, He hears them. Wait, hold on, is that saying they are saved by works? And God only hears the one who is already God-fearing and doing God’s works?

They are still claiming could not be from God for God has never done this before.

The man finishes with if He were not from God, he could do nothing.

They had treated the man horribly

They abused him (reviled him)

They insulted him (You were born entirely in sins)

They rejected him (they cast him out.

Man believes in Jesus (9:35-38)

John 9:35 NASB95

35 Jesus heard that they had put him out, and finding him, He said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”

John 9:36–37 NASB95

36 He answered, “Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?” 37 Jesus said to him, “You have both seen Him, and He is the one who is talking with you.”

John 9:38 NASB95

38 And he said, “Lord, I believe.” And he worshiped Him.

What did Jesus do (v.35)?

What is the question by the man in (v.36), and the answer (v.37)?

what were the results (v.38)?

As the leaders cast him out, Jesus sought him out. they reviled him, Jesus loved him.

Spurgeon once said “He that enjoys the favor of the Son of God will not tremble at the from of the Sanhedrin.”

Jesus asked if he believed, was he committed to the Son of Man who he does not believe he has even seen?

The man is a believer, is a true disciple and is committed.

Jesus responds You have seen Him, I’m Him!

Remember until this time he had not seen Jesus, did not know what he looked like. He had the name of Jesus, he had the touch of Jesus, now he has the sight of Jesus and the results. He worshipped him.

For us today

We may know the name of Jesus

We may hear the call of Jesus by the gospel

We then need to receive the touch of Jesus through His precious blood for the forgiveness of sins

Then the gift from Jesus, forgiveness and the gift of the Holy Spirit.

The man had a progressing, increasing awareness, knowledge of Jesus

Jesus was a man (9:11)

Jesus was a prophet (9:17

Jesus is my master, I am His disciple (9:27)

Jesus is from God (9:33)Jesus is Son of God (9:35-38)

Jesus is who I worship (9:38)

Jesus final words on subject (9:39-41)

John 9:39 NASB95

39 And Jesus said, “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 9:40 NASB95

40 Those of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these things and said to Him, “We are not blind too, are we?”

John 9:41 NASB95

41 Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but since you say, ‘We see,’ your sin remains.

Why did Jesus come into the world (v.39)?

The Pharisees seem to be insulted by them saying what (v.40)?

Jesus draws a comparison (v.41) what is it?

The judgment that Jesus is speaking of in this world, why He came was to bring division, some would believe while others would not. (Mt10:34-36)

Those who admit their spiritual blindness can find sight in Jesus.

Those who think they have sight and no need for Jesus because of their works, well they are blind. They are truly blind ones.

Some thoughts before we close out tonight.

We are all spiritually blind at birth

Jesus takes the initiative in healing us, by drawing us, offering to us

Jesus does a work of creation in us, not reformation

In this work, we must be obedient to what Jesus says.

Jesus commands baptism, we must

We display our change, our loyalty in what we do when we are reviled, hated, persecuted because of the name of Jesus .

We go from a babe, knowing little, to a man knowing and seeking more, greater knowledge, wisdom and understanding.

These things bring us to have greater expectations, experiences and engagements with God!