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.
Read it in contextThe healing investigated
Start reading at John 9:13 (John 9:13 to John 9:34).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
Repeated questioning exposes the leaders' resistance while the healed man maintains his testimony despite the threat of exclusion.
9:13They brought to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind.
9:14And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes.
9:15Then 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.
9:16Therefore 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.
9:17They say unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, that he hath opened thine eyes? He said, He is a prophet.
9:18But 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.
9:19And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? how then doth he now see?
9:20His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind:
9:21But 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.
9:22These 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.
9:23Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him.
9:24Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner.
9:25He 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.
9:26Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes?
9:27He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples?
9:28Then they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are Moses' disciples.
9:29We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is.
9:30The 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.
9:31Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.
9:32Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind.
9:33If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.
9:34They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? John the apostle is the traditional author. The Gospel identifies its witness as the beloved disciple; identifying that disciple personally as John rests on early church testimony. Biblical references: John 21:20; John 21:24. Historical source: Irenaeus, Against Heresies 3.1.1; Anchor Bible Dictionary, John, Gospel of. traditionally held
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (John 9:1–9:41): Jesus heals a man blind from birth; neighbors, the man's parents, Pharisees, and Jesus' disciples participate in the subsequent questions and responses. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Readers called to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and to have life through His name. No individual or congregation is named as the sole original recipient. Biblical references: John 20:30; John 20:31. stated in the text
What
What is the topic of this reading unit? The healing investigated. Read John 9:13 through John 9:34 as a connected unit. interpretation
How does it contribute to the book? Repeated questioning exposes the leaders' resistance while the healed man maintains his testimony despite the threat of exclusion. interpretation
When
When are the events or message set? The Gospel moves through Jesus' ministry, including named feasts, to His death, resurrection, and appearances. It does not state a composition date. book background
Where
What is the book’s geographic setting? The narrative includes Galilee, Judea, Samaria, Jerusalem, and places beyond Jordan. Conversations and reported journeys establish each local setting. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in The healing investigated (John 9:13 to John 9:34).
Start reading at John 9:13. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? John identifies the Word made flesh and states the Gospel's purpose concerning belief in Jesus and life through His name. Belief should be read with the Gospel's own calls to continue in His word and keep His commandments. See John 1:14, John 8:31, John 14:15, John 20:31. interpretation
How should this book guide our response? Respond to Jesus with active trust and continued obedience. Do not isolate a promise about belief from the audience, dialogue, and surrounding teaching that define its meaning. interpretation
Cited: John 9:13, John 9:34, John 1:14, John 8:31, John 14:15, John 20:31
Who wrote it, and how we know
John the apostleNamed in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book identifies its author as the disciple who testifies of these things and wrote them. John 21:24John 21:20
Early traditionEarly testimony, notably Irenaeus, names John the apostle.
What is debated
There is substantial early Christian tradition supporting John the son of Zebedee—James’s brother—as the authority behind the Gospel, but it is not the same kind of evidence as having a signed first-century manuscript saying “I, John son of Zebedee, wrote this.” The case is cumulative, built from internal evidence in the Gospel plus external testimony from early Christians. There are also real reasons scholars debate it.
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
John 9
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
The Gospel states that its signs are written so readers may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and have life through His name. Read its claims about belief alongside its calls to receive His word, continue in it, and follow Him.
Connection to the wholeJesus rejects the disciples' proposed explanation of the man's blindness and heals him, beginning a controversy about what has occurred.
Connection to the wholeRepeated questioning exposes the leaders' resistance while the healed man maintains his testimony despite the threat of exclusion.
Connection to the wholeJesus finds the man and reveals Himself; the closing exchange identifies spiritual blindness in those who claim that they see.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
John
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
The Gospel states that its signs are written so readers may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and have life through His name. Read its claims about belief alongside its calls to receive His word, continue in it, and follow Him.
Connection to the wholeThe farewell teaching prepares the disciples for His departure, the Comforter, opposition, and continuing life and witness in Him.