John 9:1 kjv
And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.
John 9:1 nkjv
Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth.
John 9:1 niv
As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth.
John 9:1 esv
As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth.
John 9:1 nlt
As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth.
John 9 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| John 9:1 | As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. | John 9:1 (Theme: Divine Sight) |
| Isaiah 35:5 | Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened… | Isaiah 35:5 (Theme: Prophecy) |
| Isaiah 42:6-7 | …to open the eyes that are blind… | Isaiah 42:7 (Theme: Mission) |
| Luke 4:18 | The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, to give sight to the blind… | Luke 4:18 (Theme: Fulfillment) |
| Matthew 11:4-5 | …the blind receive their sight… | Matthew 11:5 (Theme: Messiah) |
| John 1:9 | The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. | John 1:9 (Theme: Light) |
| John 12:46 | I have come as light into the world… | John 12:46 (Theme: Purpose) |
| 1 John 1:5 | God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. | 1 John 1:5 (Theme: Nature) |
| Psalm 146:8 | the LORD opens the eyes of the blind. | Psalm 146:8 (Theme: Divine) |
| Mark 8:22-26 | Jesus heals a blind man by stages. | Mark 8:22-26 (Theme: Healing) |
| John 8:12 | I am the light of the world. | John 8:12 (Theme: Identity) |
| John 3:19 | people loved the darkness rather than the light… | John 3:19 (Theme: Contrast) |
| Acts 26:18 | to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light… | Acts 26:18 (Theme: Conversion) |
| Proverbs 20:12 | The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the LORD has made them both. | Prov 20:12 (Theme: Creation) |
| Revelation 21:23 | The city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates it. | Rev 21:23 (Theme: Eternal) |
| Matthew 9:27 | Jesus healed two blind men. | Matt 9:27 (Theme: Miracles) |
| Mark 10:46 | Jesus heals blind Bartimaeus. | Mark 10:46 (Theme: Healing) |
| John 11:4 | This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God… | John 11:4 (Theme: Glorify) |
| John 1:4 | In him was life, and the life was the light of men. | John 1:4 (Theme: Life/Light) |
| 2 Corinthians 4:6 | For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts. | 2 Cor 4:6 (Theme: Revelation) |
John 9 verses
John 9 1 Meaning
The verse introduces a narrative event in Jesus' ministry where He encountered a man who had been blind from birth. This encounter highlights Jesus' divine power and mission to bring light and healing.
John 9 1 Context
This event occurs during Jesus' ministry in Jerusalem, likely during the Feast of Tabernacles, a time of significant religious observance and public interaction. The chapter focuses on a single miracle—the healing of a man born blind—and the subsequent theological discussions it provokes, particularly with the Pharisees. This encounter is part of Jesus' ongoing revelation of His identity and mission.
John 9 1 Word Analysis
As (και, kai): A common conjunction indicating continuation, transition, or joining. It signifies that this event followed naturally from what had just been happening or as Jesus moved on.
he passed by (παραγων, paragōn): "Passing along" or "going by." It suggests a natural, ordinary movement rather than a specific detour for this purpose. Jesus was simply in transit.
he saw (εἶδεν, eiden): Aorist tense of ὁράω (horaō), meaning "to see," "to perceive," or "to behold." This is a direct, intentional act of seeing, not accidental.
a man (ἄνθρωπον, anthrōpon): Refers to a human being. The focus is on an individual, highlighting the personal nature of the encounter.
blind from birth (τυφλὸς ἐκ γενετῆς, typhlos ek genētaēs):
- blind (τυφλός, typhlos): Literally "blind," but also used metaphorically for spiritual blindness.
- from birth (ἐκ γενετῆς, ek genētaēs): Emphasizes that this was a congenital condition, meaning there was no known external cause like an accident or illness in adulthood. This pre-existing condition made the miracle even more extraordinary and the questions surrounding it more pointed. The permanence of his condition underscores the power required for the healing.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth": This opening phrase establishes the scene. Jesus, while in motion, makes a deliberate act of observation of an individual marked by a profound, lifelong disability. The passive state of the man (being blind) contrasts with the active seeking and seeing by Jesus.
John 9 1 Bonus Section
The phrase "blind from birth" serves to immediately establish the magnitude of the man's affliction. It removes any ambiguity about the cause, such as an injury or a recent illness, thereby precluding natural explanations for a potential cure. This detail is crucial because it elevates the subsequent healing from a mere recovery to a supernatural act of creation and restoration, aligning with Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah’s works (e.g., Isaiah 35:5). The encounter also sets up a theological debate about suffering and the direct causation of such disabilities, which the disciples and Jesus address directly in the ensuing verses. The man's condition makes him a poignant symbol of humanity's spiritual blindness from birth, which Jesus, the Light of the World, came to heal.
John 9 1 Commentary
Jesus, on His way, directly observed a man who had been sightless from his very inception. This observation was not incidental; it initiated a powerful demonstration of divine intervention and a profound teaching moment. The man’s lifelong blindness underscores the severity of his condition and foreshadows the transformative nature of Jesus’ power, pointing to His authority over natural limitations and His purpose as the light for those in spiritual darkness. This encounter immediately sets the stage for a conflict of worldviews, challenging the understanding of sin and divine action among the onlookers and religious leaders.