The Gospel of John
9:24-34 - CHAPTER STUDY

Controversy Over the Man

Part III

J. Deering, AncientPath.net


 

Controversy over the Man – Part III

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.” 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.”

 

The man born blind is recalled by the Pharisees. Their command to him tells us more about them than it does him. “Give glory to God; we know that this man is a sinner.” How arrogant! But, the man responds again with only the truth. “All I know…I was blind, now I see.”

 

26 So they said to him, “What did He do to you? How did He open your eyes?” 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?” 28 They reviled him and said, “You are His disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. 29 We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where He is from.”

 

The man born blind is tiring of their questions and words. “I told you and you did not listen.” He’s convinced that Jesus is from God – perhaps even the Messiah for he says to them, “You do not want to become His disciples too, do you?”  What a grand statement to make in light of the situation he was in. The Pharisees call upon Moses for authority.

 

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. 31 We know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is God-fearing and does His will, He hears him. 32 Since the beginning of time it has never been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind. 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.

 

What follows is one of my favorite testimonies concerning Jesus. This man born blind – who now can see, calls their bluff and speaks directly to the Pharisees with the very truth they wish not to hear.

 

1.    This is an amazing thing

2.    You don’t know where He’s from

3.    He opened my eyes

4.    God does not hear sinners

5.    God hears those who fear Him and do His will

6.    No one has ever opened the eyes of a man born blind

7.    If this man [Jesus] were not FROM GOD, He could DO NOTHING.

 

For speaking the truth, boldly and directly, this one whom Jesus healed, was thrown out of his synagogue [excommunicated].


 


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