John 9 14

John 9:14 kjv

And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes.

John 9:14 nkjv

Now it was a Sabbath when Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes.

John 9:14 niv

Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man's eyes was a Sabbath.

John 9:14 esv

Now it was a Sabbath day when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes.

John 9:14 nlt

because it was on the Sabbath that Jesus had made the mud and healed him.

John 9 verses

John 9 14 Meaning

John 9:14 states the specific timing of Jesus' healing of the man born blind: "Now it was a Sabbath day when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes." This verse succinctly presents the pivotal detail that sparks the religious conflict and theological debate throughout John chapter 9. It highlights Jesus' deliberate action of performing a physical healing miracle – an act of work as interpreted by the religious authorities – on the day designated for rest, setting the stage for the dramatic confrontation between Jesus and the Jewish leaders regarding His identity and the true meaning of the Sabbath.

John 9 14 Context

John 9:14 is embedded in the middle of a rich narrative focused on the man born blind. Immediately prior, Jesus declares Himself the "Light of the world" (John 9:5) and explains that the man's blindness was not due to sin but "that the works of God might be displayed in him" (John 9:3). Jesus then proceeds to heal the man by spitting on the ground, making mud, anointing his eyes, and instructing him to wash in the pool of Siloam (John 9:6-7). This miraculous healing immediately transforms the man's life.

The historical and cultural context is critical. For the Jewish religious leaders, particularly the Pharisees, the Sabbath was the holiest day of the week, consecrated for rest from all labor according to the Mosaic Law (Exo 20:8-11, Deut 5:12-15). Over centuries, this command had been meticulously elaborated into a complex system of rabbinic traditions, specifying thirty-nine principal categories of forbidden labor (melachot). Making mud by mixing earth and saliva, applying it, and essentially "healing" a person were actions that could be interpreted as breaking several of these Sabbath laws, such as kneading (lash) or applying a plaster (memare'ach). Therefore, Jesus' action was a direct challenge to their rigid interpretations and threatened their established religious order. This verse sets the foundation for the profound conflict that follows between Jesus, the man born blind, and the religious authorities, who prioritized their legalistic traditions over the miraculous act of God.

John 9 14 Word analysis

• Now: A transitional particle, linking the miraculous healing itself to its chronological setting, highlighting the critical timing. It subtly signals an upcoming turn in the narrative, from the miracle to the ensuing controversy.
• it was a Sabbath day: (Greek: ēn sabbaton - ἦν σάββατον) This phrase is paramount. Sabbaton (Sabbath) refers to the seventh day of the week, ordained by God as a day of rest and holiness. Jesus deliberately chose this day for the healing, a choice loaded with theological and practical implications. The Sabbath was meant to commemorate creation and liberation (Exo 20:11; Deut 5:15) and was central to Jewish identity. Its perceived violation was a grave offense to the religious authorities.
• when Jesus: Emphasizes Jesus as the agent, making His action intentional. This wasn't an accidental timing, but a conscious decision by the Son of God.
• made: (Greek: epoiesen - ἐποίησεν) Simple past tense of poieō, meaning "to make," "do," or "perform." This refers specifically to the act of forming the mud, which involves mixing saliva and earth. Within the Jewish halakha (religious law), mixing ingredients for a remedy on the Sabbath was prohibited. This verb underscores the physical activity performed by Jesus.
• the mud: (Greek: ton pēlon - τὸν πηλὸν) This refers to the specific mixture of spittle and earth (John 9:6). It's the material substance Jesus actively prepared and applied, making it central to the alleged "work" done on the Sabbath.
• and opened: (Greek: kai aneōxen - καὶ ἀνέῳξεν) Aneōxen is the aorist indicative of anoigō, "to open." This verb signifies the immediate and effective result of Jesus' action: the man's sight was restored. This is the miraculous aspect that stands in stark contrast to the legalistic "work" perception.
• his eyes: The direct object of the miracle. The man born blind received physical sight. This phrase signifies the supernatural change wrought by Jesus.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "it was a Sabbath day when Jesus made the mud": This cluster of words immediately frames the miracle within the context of legal conflict. Jesus’ making the mud on the Sabbath was perceived by the Jewish authorities as a blatant violation of their traditional interpretations of Sabbath law, which prohibited such work or preparing medicine. This phrase sets the tone for the profound religious and theological debates that ensue in the chapter. It highlights Jesus' challenge to a system where ritual observance had, for some, overshadowed acts of divine power and compassion.
• "and opened his eyes": This second part of the verse shifts focus to the result and essence of the event: the miracle itself. Despite the legalistic concern over the method and timing, the undeniable outcome was the restoration of sight to a man born blind. This demonstrates Jesus' divine power and underscores the purpose of His Sabbath healing—to glorify God and bring liberation and light.

John 9 14 Bonus section

• Creator Re-creation: The act of Jesus making mud and applying it to the blind man's eyes echoes God's original act of creation, forming man from the dust of the ground (Gen 2:7). Jesus, in this miracle, acts as the Creator, performing a new act of creation by giving sight, hinting at His divine nature.
• Polemic against Legalism: This verse immediately sets up a polemic against the Pharisees' rigid, works-based understanding of the Law. Their emphasis on detailed human traditions concerning the Sabbath had often obscured the compassionate and life-giving intent of God's original command, making human rules supersede God's desire for good.
• Holiness vs. Healing: The Sabbath was designated as a holy day. Jesus' healing on this day implies that bringing wholeness and demonstrating God's redemptive power is perfectly aligned with the sacredness of the Sabbath, redefining what truly constitutes "holy" work.
• Sign of Messiah: Old Testament prophecies speak of the Messiah opening the eyes of the blind (Isa 35:5; Isa 42:7). By performing this miracle, particularly on the contentious day of the Sabbath, Jesus presented an undeniable sign of His messianic identity, which the religious authorities found impossible to accept due to their entrenched legalism.

John 9 14 Commentary

John 9:14 is not merely a statement of fact but a deliberate narrative detail crucial for understanding Jesus' ministry and the unfolding conflict in the Gospel of John. Jesus, being fully aware of the strict Jewish interpretations of Sabbath law, intentionally chooses this day to heal the blind man using a method (making mud) that would certainly be considered a "work." This wasn't an act of disregard for God's Law, but a profound reinterpretation and demonstration of its true purpose. Jesus, as the "Lord of the Sabbath" (Matt 12:8), consistently performed acts of healing and compassion on this day (e.g., John 5:9-18, Matt 12:9-14, Luke 13:10-17). His actions challenged the legalistic tradition that prioritized rigid adherence to rules over divine love, human need, and God's glory. The healing served as a powerful sign, proving Jesus' identity as the "Light of the World" and revealing the works of God, which ultimately include breaking through the darkness of sin and spiritual blindness. The miracle itself could not be denied, forcing the religious leaders into a corner where they had to question Jesus' authority based on the timing rather than the beneficence of the act.