John 9 13

John 9:13 kjv

They brought to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind.

John 9:13 nkjv

They brought him who formerly was blind to the Pharisees.

John 9:13 niv

They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind.

John 9:13 esv

They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind.

John 9:13 nlt

Then they took the man who had been blind to the Pharisees,

John 9 verses

John 9 13 Meaning

John 9:13 marks a critical juncture where the neighbors and those who knew the once-blind man formally bring him before the Pharisees. This act sets the stage for a direct confrontation between the irrefutable evidence of a divine miracle and the entrenched religious legalism represented by the Pharisees. The purpose is not merely to verify the healing but to determine its legitimacy, especially since it occurred on the Sabbath, and to question the authority and identity of the healer, Jesus.

John 9 13 Context

John chapter 9 centers on Jesus' miraculous healing of a man born blind (v. 1-7). This extraordinary event immediately sparks controversy, as the miracle occurred on the Sabbath. After his sight is restored, the man faces incredulity from his neighbors (v. 8-12) who are amazed but also unsure how to reconcile the miracle with traditional beliefs or their current understanding of divine law. Unresolved, and perhaps seeking an official interpretation or judgment, these acquaintances bring the man to the Pharisees. This act in verse 13 transitions the narrative from individual healing and popular reaction to an institutional, theological, and legalistic inquiry that will profoundly question Jesus' authority, identity, and the validity of Sabbath observance.

Historically, the Pharisees were the leading Jewish religious group in Judea known for their meticulous adherence to the Law of Moses and their oral traditions (halakha), which often extended beyond the written Torah. They were respected by the common people for their piety and scholarship but were also rigid in their interpretations, especially regarding the Sabbath. Any action, even healing, that they deemed a violation of their expanded Sabbath laws, was viewed as a transgression and a challenge to their religious authority. Bringing the man to them signifies subjecting Jesus' action to their scrutinizing theological and legal review.

John 9 13 Word analysis

• They (Αὐτὸν - auton, accusative of autos often referring to the man, but the verb egagon "they brought" implies a plural subject; the 'they' here likely refers to the neighbors/some of the people mentioned in prior verses): Refers to the collective group of neighbors or townspeople who witnessed the man's transformation. It emphasizes community involvement in bringing the case to authoritative religious leaders. Their motivation could be a mixture of genuine inquiry, marvel, or even concern for Sabbath laws, suggesting the common societal reaction to a highly unusual and theologically challenging event.

• brought (ἤγαγον - egagon): Aorist indicative active of agō, "to lead, to bring." This indicates a direct, past action of conveyance. The verb implies the man did not voluntarily go but was led or taken to the Pharisees, underscoring his passive role as an object of scrutiny in their impending investigation. It carries a sense of being presented before a judicial body.

• him (τὸν - ton): The definite article functioning as a pronoun, specifying "this one," directly referring to the individual whose sight was just restored. It highlights his particularity as the undeniable subject of the miracle.

• who formerly (πάλαι - palai): Adverb meaning "formerly," "long ago," "of old." This word significantly underscores the chronological fact that the man's blindness was congenital, not recent or acquired. This distinction is crucial as it elevates the miracle's magnitude, confirming that his healing was a profound, unprecedented act that eliminated any suspicion of fraud or temporary affliction. It reinforces the undisputed reality of the divine intervention.

• was blind (τυφλόν - typhlon): Adjective, "blind." Describes the man's previous, enduring state of sightlessness. This physical state later serves as a profound metaphor for spiritual ignorance and unbelief that Jesus attributes to the very religious leaders who claim to see.

• to (πρὸς - pros): Preposition indicating movement towards or bringing into the presence of. It signifies a direct, deliberate presentation for official examination and judgment. It’s a formal referral.

• the Pharisees (τοὺς Φαρισαίους - tous Pharisaious):

  • the (τοὺς - tous): The definite article, singular, plural here.
  • Pharisees (Φαρισαίους - Pharisaious): Derived from Aramaic perisha, meaning "separated ones." A highly influential and zealous Jewish sect, distinguished by their rigorous observance of the Torah and its oral traditions. They acted as legal and theological arbiters for Jewish society and held significant public sway. They represented the orthodox religious establishment, deeply committed to preserving Jewish law and tradition, which often brought them into conflict with Jesus' interpretations and actions, especially concerning the Sabbath.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "They brought him who formerly was blind": This phrase accentuates the undeniable evidence of the miracle. The man's former congenital blindness (emphasized by "formerly") is an indisputable fact that complicates the Pharisees' attempts to discredit the healing. He is not a voluntary witness but an object presented for examination, highlighting the pressure and coercion placed upon him.
  • "to the Pharisees": This highlights the pivotal confrontation being initiated. The man and his healing are directly presented to the authoritative religious group most likely to scrutinize Jesus' actions. This sets the stage for a clash between divine power manifested outside the established religious protocols and a legalistic interpretation of the divine law.

John 9 13 Bonus section

• The phrase "they brought him" also implies the man had little choice in being presented to the authorities, foreshadowing the immense social and religious pressure he would soon face for being healed by Jesus. He becomes a pawn in the larger theological debate.
• The Greek verb agō (bring) can also suggest being led to trial, adding a subtle legalistic nuance to the man's conveyance to the Pharisees, treating him as evidence in a legal case against Jesus.
• The specific mention of "the Pharisees" rather than a more general "religious leaders" or "priests" indicates John's intent to highlight the particular doctrinal and legalistic rigidity that characterized this group's opposition to Jesus throughout his ministry.
• The tension in this verse underlines the persistent theme in John's Gospel of the world, represented by the Jewish authorities, rejecting Jesus' light (Jn 1:5, 3:19-21).

John 9 13 Commentary

John 9:13 is the strategic pivot point of the narrative, moving from the profound miracle of individual healing to its institutional examination and inevitable confrontation. The neighbors, faced with an extraordinary event that challenges their categories, turn to the recognised religious experts—the Pharisees—for official adjudication. This seemingly simple act sets in motion a theological and legal inquiry designed to scrutinize Jesus' healing on the Sabbath. The Pharisees, with their meticulous interpretations of the Law and oral traditions, approach the miracle not as a cause for wonder or praise, but as a potential Sabbath violation or a trick, challenging Jesus' identity and authority. Their immediate focus will be on the perceived breach of religious custom rather than the undeniable goodness and power displayed. This investigation, rather than clarifying truth, serves to reveal the spiritual blindness of those who claim to see.