What A Blind Man Saw
John 9:1–41
Introduction
He sits in complete darkness. He has never seen a sunrise. Has never seen his mother’s face. He has never seen the world around him. He was born blind. Every day he sits along the road, begging. People pass by, and some may toss coins his way. Most ignore him. To them, he is invisible. One day, Jesus walks by, and this man, whom no one notices, suddenly becomes the central figure in the ministry of Jesus.
Remember that there are seven signs in John’s Gospel that are all meant to produce faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior.
-In John 2 he turned water into wine.
-In John 4 he healed the nobleman’s son who was about to die.
-In John 5 he healed a lame man at Bethesda.
-In John 6 he fed 5,000 with just a few loaves and fishes.
-Today we are in John 9, the account of the sixth sign meant to produce faith in Jesus.
The healing of the man born blind energizes our faith because he not only receives physical sight but spiritual insight. In the story there are those who think they can see clearly but prove to be blind. As we read through this chapter, keep your eyes open to the central truth: Jesus is Lord!
1. “Who is This Man?” (9:1–12)
The disciples see a case study. Jesus sees a person.
John 9:1-2 As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth. “Rabbi,” his disciples asked him, “why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents’ sins?”
The disciples want to pursue a theological discussion about why this man is suffering. Like Job’s friends, they assume suffering must be punishment for a specific sin. Jesus rejects their logic entirely. This isn’t about sin. It’s about God showing up.
John 9:3-5 “It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered. “This happened so the power of God could be seen in him. We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work. But while I am here in the world, I am the light of the world.”
Jesus does something strange. He spits on the ground, makes mud, and smears it on the man’s eyes.
John 9:6-7 Then he spit on the ground, made mud with the saliva, and spread the mud over the blind man’s eyes.
He told him, “Go wash yourself in the pool of Siloam” (Siloam means “sent”). So the man went and washed and came back seeing!
Can you imagine being this man? He can’t see what’s happening - he just feels someone rubbing mud on his face! Jesus told him “Go wash in the pool of Siloam”. I’m sure he didn’t hesitate to wash that off of his eyes! When he has washed the mud away, he can see!
Then the controversy begins!
John 9:8-12 His neighbors and others who knew him as a blind beggar asked each other, “Isn’t this the man who used to sit and beg?” Some said he was, and others said, “No, he just looks like him!” But the beggar kept saying, “Yes, I am the same one!” They asked, “Who healed you? What happened?” He told them, “The man they call Jesus made mud and spread it over my eyes and told me, ‘Go to the pool of Siloam and wash yourself.’ So I went and washed, and now I can see!” “Where is he now?” they asked. “I don’t know,” he replied.
He has not seen Jesus - “The man called Jesus”. The neighbors are confused and they argue about whether this is even the same guy! “I am the man!”
2. He is a Prophet! (9:13-23)
You would think the religious leaders would celebrate with him - but there is an issue. Jesus healed on the Sabbath. For the Pharisees, that is a problem.
John 9:13-17 Then they took the man who had been blind to the Pharisees, because it was on the Sabbath that Jesus had made the mud and healed him. The Pharisees asked the man all about it. So he told them, “He put the mud over my eyes, and when I washed it away, I could see!” Some of the Pharisees said, “This man Jesus is not from God, for he is working on the Sabbath.” Others said, “But how could an ordinary sinner do such miraculous signs?” So there was a deep division of opinion among them. Then the Pharisees again questioned the man who had been blind and demanded, “What’s your opinion about this man who healed you?” The man replied, “I think he must be a prophet.”
The Pharisees interrogate him, but he can only tell them the same story: mud, washing, sight. The Pharisees are divided. Some say, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” Others say, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” The formerly blind man testifies: “He is a prophet”. He has moved from “the man called Jesus” to “He is a prophet”. He begins to see more and they begin to see less!
The Pharisees call his parents and they confirm to facts.
9:18-23 The Jewish leaders still refused to believe the man had been blind and could now see, so they called in his parents. They asked them, “Is this your son? Was he born blind? If so, how can he now see?” His parents replied, “We know this is our son and that he was born blind, but we don’t know how he can see or who healed him. Ask him. He is old enough to speak for himself.” His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who had announced that anyone saying Jesus was the Messiah would be expelled from the synagogue. That’s why they said, “He is old enough. Ask him.”
Yes, this is our son. Yes, he was born blind. When asked how he can now see, they deflect. “Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself.” John tells us they were afraid of being put out of the synagogue - that meant social death. Economic ruin. Isolation.
3. He Must be from God (9:24-34)
Pharisees declare: We know that this man is a sinner!
John 9:24-27 So for the second time they called in the man who had been blind and told him, “God should get the glory for this, because we know this man Jesus is a sinner.” “I don’t know whether he is a sinner,” the man replied. “But I know this: I was blind, and now I can see!” “But what did he do?” they asked. “How did he heal you?” “Look!” the man exclaimed. “I told you once. Didn’t you listen? Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples, too?”
The formerly blind man becomes the boldest theologian in the room. “Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” His testimony rises above their theories. The Pharisees are relentless in their inquisition. The man finally asks them, “Do you also want to become his disciples?” (28) They are infuriated by this suggestion, but he continues to take them to school! He reasons from their own teaching. They attack him, cast him out of the synagogue.
John 9:28-34 Then they cursed him and said, “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses! We know God spoke to Moses, but we don’t even know where this man comes from.” “Why, that’s very strange!” the man replied. “He healed my eyes, and yet you don’t know where he comes from? We know that God doesn’t listen to sinners, but he is ready to hear those who worship him and do his will. Ever since the world began, no one has been able to open the eyes of someone born blind. If this man were not from God, he couldn’t have done it.” “You were born a total sinner!” they answered. “Are you trying to teach us?” And they threw him out of the synagogue.
The man who can finally see is thrown out of the religious community. He has been interrogated, insulted, and expelled. All for telling the truth about what Jesus did.
4. “Lord, I Believe” (9:35–41)
Jesus goes looking for him. He is rejected but not forgotten.
The conversation: vs. “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” The man says, “And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?” Remember: This man still hasn’t seen Jesus. He was blind when Jesus healed him. He’s defended Jesus. He’s been thrown out for Jesus. He’s never actually seen Jesus’ face. And Jesus says, “You have seen him, and it is he who is speaking to you.” And the man says, “Lord, I believe.” And he worships him.
John 9:35-38 When Jesus heard what had happened, he found the man and asked, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” The man answered, “Who is he, sir? I want to believe in him.” “You have seen him,” Jesus said, “and he is speaking to you!” “Yes, Lord, I believe!” the man said. And he worshiped Jesus.
Look at his journey:
-“The man called Jesus” (v. 11)
-"He is a prophet” (v. 17)
-“He must be from God” (vv. 31–33)
-“Lord” (v. 38)
From blind beggar to worshiper. From physical darkness to spiritual sight. From not knowing Jesus to falling at His feet.
Conclusion: What Do You See?
This story shows us two kinds of blindness: The blindness that knows it can’t see. This is the blind beggar. He knows he’s in darkness. And when Jesus comes, he’s ready to receive sight. He obeys. He testifies. He grows in
understanding. And ultimately, he worships. The blindness that’s convinced it sees perfectly.
John 9:39-41Then Jesus told him, “I entered this world to render judgment—to give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind.” Some Pharisees who were standing nearby heard him and asked, “Are you saying we’re blind?” “If you were blind, you wouldn’t be guilty,” Jesus replied. “But you remain guilty because you claim you can see."
The Pharisees have the Scriptures. They have the traditions. They have the religious authority. And they’re so sure they’re right that they can’t recognize God standing in front of them. They see a Sabbath violation. Jesus sees a person. They see a threat to their power. Jesus sees an opportunity for glory. They see a sinner. Jesus sees a son.
The blind man was willing to admit he didn’t have all the answers. Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know—I was blind, now I see.”
John is methodically marching us to the cross. He’s laying the groundwork for the accusations against Jesus.
-He’s revealing Jesus’ enemies.
-He’s also helping readers find a grip on their faith when life tries to rip it from their hands.
John 8:12 “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”
Next Steps
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Bible Class Discussion Questions
1. In verses 1–2, how do the disciples look at the blind man? What does their question (“Who sinned…?”) reveal about their assumptions?
2. How is Jesus’ answer in verses 3–5 different from the disciples’ assumption? What does “that the works of God might be displayed in him” tell you about how Jesus sees suffering?
3. The blind man’s faith seems to grow throughout this chapter. He first refers to him as “the man called Jesus” (vs 11) to calling him “Lord" (vs 38). How does your own understanding of Jesus grow deeper over time? What experiences or interactions help you see Him more clearly?
4. The Pharisees are divided: some say Jesus can’t be from God because He broke the Sabbath; others wonder how a sinner could do such signs. Why can’t they come to a clear conclusion?
5. In verses 30-33 the healed blind man offers up some defenses of Jesus against his accusers. How does he make his case? How does this align with John’s purpose in his Gospel (and the purpose of this sign)?
6. Where do religious people today face the same danger as the Pharisees—thinking “we see” when we are actually blind (vv. 40–41)?
7. After the man is expelled, Jesus goes looking for him. What does this tell us about Jesus’ heart for those who are rejected?
8. Verses 39-41 has Jesus engaging the Pharisees one more time as the chapter ends. What would you say is his
message to them?
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Bulletin Article
Light of the World
In many parts of the United States, Daylight Saving Time ends on November 2 at 2:00 a.m. It doesn’t matter if you are a fan of the change or not; you do have to adjust to it. That is, unless you are in one of those states with enough common sense to keep the clock steady. The importance of daylight is crucial. Even a few gray, cloudy days can make us feel a bit out of sorts.
Scripture teaches that the world is dark and broken because of sin. John’s Gospel presents Jesus as the light of the world. This is a beautiful and encouraging picture.
“I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” —John 8:12
Darkness never wins because Jesus breaks through it with His light.?People who wander and are lost can find their way to the Savior.?Those who wander in confusion can find their way to the Savior, discovering that His light leads to true life—more than religion or ritual.?Who could be unhappy about that? According to John, the Pharisees argued with Jesus every step of the way. And this was no exception. They jabbed him with questions about his claims, about his father, and about his future. When Jesus talked about walking in darkness, he certainly was looking at them.
So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.” —John 8:28-29 (NIV)
Since we already know the story, we understand that Jesus spoke of the cross. Jesus was not afraid to enter into the darkest places of humanity so that he could lead anyone who would come to the light.
In verse 30, John shares, “Even as he spoke, many believed in him.”
This is our calling as well—to allow Jesus to lead us out of the dark places of life and into the brightness of eternal life. John keeps sharing these stories of Jesus to help guide us into light and life to help us believe in Jesus. So let’s follow the Light, not just through the turning of time but into the life that never ends.
From Seven Signs, Seven Days
John E. Dobbs
