John 9 22

John 9:22 kjv

These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.

John 9:22 nkjv

His parents said these things because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had agreed already that if anyone confessed that He was Christ, he would be put out of the synagogue.

John 9:22 niv

His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who already had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue.

John 9:22 esv

(His parents said these things because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone should confess Jesus to be Christ, he was to be put out of the synagogue.)

John 9:22 nlt

His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who had announced that anyone saying Jesus was the Messiah would be expelled from the synagogue.

John 9 verses

John 9 22 Meaning

John 9:22 reveals why the parents of the man born blind were hesitant to affirm Jesus as the one who healed their son. It states their caution stemmed from their fear of the Jewish authorities, who had already decided to excommunicate anyone confessing Jesus as the Christ, the Messiah. This verse highlights the intense social and religious pressure on those contemplating belief in Jesus during this period.

John 9 22 Context

John 9 details Jesus' healing of a man born blind. This miraculous act occurred on the Sabbath, sparking controversy and leading to intense interrogation of the healed man and his parents by the Jewish authorities, referred to as "the Jews" (οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι). The "Jews" in John's Gospel often signifies the unbelieving Jewish leadership—Pharisees, Sadducees, and Temple officials—who opposed Jesus. Chapter 9 vividly illustrates their escalating animosity towards Jesus and His claims. Verse 22 specifically explains why the man's parents responded cautiously, revealing a prior agreement among these authorities to ostracize anyone who dared to acknowledge Jesus as the Christ, effectively forming a spiritual "blackball" to maintain control and suppress a growing movement they perceived as a threat. This established a critical turning point for the individual and communal cost of confessing Jesus.

John 9 22 Word analysis

• These (ταῦτα, tauta): Refers to the preceding words spoken by the parents in response to the Pharisees' questions, specifically their deferral to their son, stating, "He is of age; ask him. He will speak for himself." It indicates that their evasion was intentional and based on the established agreement.
• said (εἶπον, eipon): Simple, direct past tense verb, indicating a straightforward declaration by the parents.
• his parents (οἱ γονεῖς αὐτοῦ, hoi goneis autou): Identifies the man's father and mother. Their shared fear highlights a united front of caution against powerful religious authorities.
• because (ὅτι, hoti): A causal conjunction, clearly introducing the reason for their evasive answer. It explains their motivation.
• they feared (ἐφοβοῦντο, ephobounto): Imperfect tense, indicating a continuous or habitual state of fear, a prevailing atmosphere among many. This wasn't a momentary fright but an ongoing apprehension. This fear was not a reverence for God, but an anxiety born of man's judgment.
• the Jews (τοὺς Ἰουδαίους, tous Ioudaious): In the Gospel of John, this term often refers specifically to the Jewish religious leaders (Pharisees, Sadducees, scribes) and their adherents who opposed Jesus, rather than the entire Jewish people. They represent the established religious and social power structure.
• for (γάρ, gar): A explanatory conjunction, further elaborating on the reason for their fear by introducing the specific edict.
• the Jews (οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι, hoi Ioudaioi): Repetition of the term emphasizes that the same hostile group who interrogated them was also the source of this threatening decree.
• had agreed already (ἤδη συνετέθειντο, ēdē synetetheinto): Perfect passive indicative verb from syntithēmi (to put together, to agree, to conspire). The "ἤδη" (already) is crucial, meaning this decision was not recent or a reaction to the blind man's case, but a pre-existing, firmly established policy with continuing effect. It implies a well-known, public agreement or decree among the authorities.
• that if (ἵνα ἐάν, hina ean): A clause expressing purpose or result, introducing the specific condition for excommunication.
• anyone (τις, tis): An indefinite pronoun, emphasizing that the decree applied universally to any person.
• should confess (ὁμολογήσῃ, homologēsē): Aorist subjunctive of homologeo, meaning to "confess," "acknowledge," "profess," or "declare openly." It signifies an active, public declaration of allegiance or belief.
• that He (ὅτι οὗτος, hoti houtos): Refers specifically to Jesus.
• was (ἐστίν, estin): Present tense of "to be," asserting Jesus' ongoing, eternal identity and nature as "the Christ."
• the Christ (ὁ Χριστός, ho Christos): The Greek equivalent of the Hebrew "Messiah," meaning "Anointed One." This title signifies the promised deliverer of Israel, a figure of profound religious and national expectation. To confess Jesus as "the Christ" was to declare His divine mandate and kingship.
• he would be put out (ἀποσυνάγωγος γένηται, aposynagōgos genētai): Literally "become separated from the synagogue" or "excommunicated from the synagogue." This was a severe punishment in Jewish society, resulting in social, economic, and religious ostracism. It meant exclusion from community life, prayer, teaching, and even business within the Jewish communal framework. This phrase implies losing one's entire social identity and religious heritage.

Words-group analysis

• They feared the Jews: This phrase powerfully highlights the overwhelming influence and intimidating power held by the religious authorities over common people. The fear dictated their actions more than the truth of Jesus' miracle.
• The Jews had agreed already: This reveals the conspiratorial and premeditated nature of the opposition to Jesus. It was not spontaneous anger but an organized, authoritative decision, setting a severe consequence for belief in Jesus as the Christ.
• Confess that He was the Christ: This identifies the core issue at stake – the acknowledgment of Jesus' true identity and messianic claims. This confession was seen as the dividing line, separating those who aligned with the traditional authorities from those who followed Jesus.
• Put out of the synagogue: This was more than just expulsion from a building. It signified religious excommunication, social ostracization, and economic hardship. It meant isolation from family and community, branding the individual as a heretic or apostate, stripping away their social standing and religious belonging.

John 9 22 Bonus section

This verse offers a stark portrayal of the "fear of man" (Prov 29:25) that can lead to spiritual compromise. The parents, despite benefiting from Jesus' miracle and likely believing in their hearts, chose social acceptance and religious security over public declaration. This sets up a profound contrast with the courageous confession made by their son (John 9:35-38), highlighting a crucial theme throughout the Gospel of John: the separation between those who follow light and those who prefer darkness (John 3:19). This incident marks an early formalization of opposition, serving as a precedent for later Christian persecution and a test for true faith against the pull of social conformity. It foreshadows the "separating of the sheep from the goats" and the radical choice required to follow Christ.

John 9 22 Commentary

John 9:22 succinctly unpacks the immediate human cost of discipleship in early Christianity, especially within the Jewish community. It reveals that the parents' fear was deeply rational, driven by a direct and established threat from the Jewish leadership: excommunication from the synagogue. This "putting out" was a profound societal penalty, encompassing religious isolation, social alienation, and even economic hardship, essentially severing an individual from their community and heritage. The authorities' proactive "agreement" (having already decided) to inflict this penalty on anyone acknowledging Jesus as the Christ demonstrates the organized and aggressive nature of their opposition. This verse underscores the dilemma faced by many—choosing between adherence to deeply ingrained communal identity and loyalty to the truth revealed in Jesus, emphasizing the courage required for genuine confession.

Examples:

• A student standing firm in Christian beliefs amidst academic pressure.
• An individual openly declaring faith despite potential social ridicule or exclusion from certain groups.