John 9 1

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 verses

John 9 1 Meaning

John 9:1 introduces an encounter where Jesus, in passing, deliberately observes a man who has been blind since birth. This act of divine perception initiates a powerful narrative that reveals Jesus' compassionate nature, His authority over human infirmity, and sets the stage for a profound teaching on the purpose of suffering and His identity as the "Light of the World." The verse highlights that Jesus is proactive in seeking out and addressing human need, not merely reacting to requests.

John 9 1 Context

John chapter 9 opens directly following the intense confrontation between Jesus and the Jewish leaders in John 8. At the end of chapter 8, the leaders were so incensed by Jesus' claims of pre-existence ("Before Abraham was, I Am") that they picked up stones to stone Him. Jesus, however, "hid Himself and left the temple." The transition from verbal theological battle to a practical act of mercy and demonstration of divine power is stark. This encounter with the blind man provides a tangible "sign" that powerfully affirms Jesus' claims about His divine identity, particularly His statement in John 8:12: "I am the Light of the World."

Historically and culturally, congenital blindness was considered an incurable condition and was often tragically attributed to specific sin by the afflicted individual or their parents (Jn 9:2). People with such disabilities were frequently marginalized and dependent on begging. Healing such a person, especially one blind from birth, would be considered an extraordinary, divinely sanctioned act, far beyond the capability of ordinary physicians or healers, thus validating Messianic claims. The stage is also set for a Sabbath controversy, as this healing will occur on that sacred day, highlighting the conflict between strict adherence to religious law and the divine imperative of compassion.

John 9 1 Word analysis

• As Jesus passed by (Καὶ παράγων Ἰησοῦς - Kai parágōn Iēsoús):

  • Καὶ (Kai): "And" or "Now." Acts as a narrative transition, connecting this event to the preceding confrontation, but also shifting the focus.
  • παράγων (parágōn): (Participle of παράγω - paragō) "passing by," "going along." This suggests Jesus was moving, not actively seeking someone to heal at that moment, yet He was observant. It signifies a divine appointment in an ordinary flow of events.
  • Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoús): "Jesus." Identifies the central figure, emphasizing His earthly presence and engagement.

• He saw (εἶδεν - eiden):

  • (Aorist active indicative of ὁράω - horaō) "He saw," "He perceived." This is not a casual glance. It denotes a deliberate, perceptive act of vision. Jesus did not just happen to see; He perceived and intentionally focused on the man. This act highlights Jesus' divine initiative and compassion, contrasted with human tendency to overlook the marginalized.

• a man (ἄνθρωπον - anthrōpon):

  • (Accusative masculine singular of ἄνθρωπος - anthrōpos) "a human being," "man." Emphasizes the individual's humanity and vulnerability, identifying him as a person rather than just a condition.

• blind (τυφλὸν - tuphlon):

  • (Accusative masculine singular of τυφλός - tuphlos) "blind." A direct description of his physical state. In John's Gospel, tuphlos also carries a dual meaning, often used metaphorically for spiritual blindness (e.g., those who refuse to believe in Jesus).

• from birth (ἐκ γενετῆς - ek genetēs):

  • ἐκ (ek): "out of," "from." Indicates origin or source.
  • γενετῆς (genetēs): (Genitive singular of γενετή - genetē) "birth," "origin." This crucial detail emphasizes the absolute incurability of his condition by natural means. It preempts any suggestion that his blindness was a recent affliction or might be treated by conventional medicine. This specific detail intensifies the miraculous nature of the coming healing and highlights the man's profound need, which only divine power could address. It also immediately invokes the common belief of suffering as a consequence of sin.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "As Jesus passed by, He saw": This phrase portrays Jesus' active observation and divine intentionality. Even in His routine movement, Jesus is deeply aware and takes the initiative. He "sees" with a spiritual depth that goes beyond mere physical recognition, leading to compassionate intervention rather than judgment.
  • "a man blind from birth": This describes a condition that was considered irreversible and deeply challenging, both medically and theologically. The congenital nature of his blindness sets a formidable stage, intensifying the scope of the miracle and laying the groundwork for the theological discussion regarding the origin of suffering that immediately follows in the next verses. This man’s existence presented a complex puzzle for the contemporary worldview, preparing for a divine answer.

John 9 1 Bonus section

• The passive nature of the blind man in this verse—he is seen, not actively seeking—highlights Jesus' divine initiative and mercy. The narrative doesn't suggest he asked for healing; Jesus' compassionate observation was enough.
• This immediate encounter following Jesus' escape from being stoned (Jn 8:59) suggests a pattern of Jesus redirecting from conflict to compassionate action, moving from verbal claims of divinity to tangible proofs of His authority.
• The placement of this miracle in Jerusalem during the Feast of Tabernacles (Jn 7:2) would have attracted a large audience, magnifying its impact and the ensuing controversy.
• The Greek text's word order for "blind from birth" emphasizes "blindness" first, then its source, highlighting the condition before the cause.

John 9 1 Commentary

John 9:1 serves as a concise yet powerful opening to one of Jesus' most significant signs. Amidst the shadow of the temple, after intense doctrinal debates, Jesus turns His gaze from theological sparring partners to a man representing the epitome of human vulnerability and desperation. The detail that the man was "blind from birth" is critically important; it underscores that his condition was beyond any human remedy and could not be attributed to recent personal sin, thereby challenging the conventional understanding of suffering prevalent at the time. Jesus' deliberate "seeing" of this man, without the man soliciting help, highlights God's sovereign and proactive compassion. This single verse effectively sets the scene for a demonstration of divine power and glory, revealing Jesus not just as a prophet or teacher, but as the anticipated "Light of the World" capable of addressing the deepest forms of human blindness, both physical and spiritual.