John 9 3

John 9:3 kjv

Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.

John 9:3 nkjv

Jesus answered, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.

John 9:3 niv

"Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.

John 9:3 esv

Jesus answered, "It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.

John 9:3 nlt

"It was not because of his sins or his parents' sins," Jesus answered. "This happened so the power of God could be seen in him.

John 9 3 Cross References

VerseTextReference
John 9:1As Jesus passed on, he saw a man blind from birth.John 9:1 (The incident begins)
John 9:2His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"John 9:2 (Disciples' question)
John 3:16For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.John 3:16 (God's overarching plan)
Romans 8:28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.Romans 8:28 (God's purposeful work)
Isaiah 43:7…everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.Isaiah 43:7 (God's glory and creation)
Luke 18:31-34Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, “This is going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled.Luke 18:31-34 (Jesus' foreknowledge of suffering)
John 11:4When Jesus heard this, he said, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it."John 11:4 (Similar divine purpose in suffering)
1 Corinthians 1:27But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.1 Cor. 1:27 (God's choice of the weak/unusual)
2 Corinthians 12:9But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”2 Cor. 12:9 (God's power in weakness)
Philippians 1:6being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.Phil. 1:6 (God's completing work)
Ephesians 2:10For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.Eph. 2:10 (Created for good works)
Acts 3:12-16When Peter saw this, he said to them: "Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?"Acts 3:12-16 (Miracle for God's glory)
Psalm 119:71It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.Ps. 119:71 (Affliction for learning)
Job 1:12And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand; only against him you may not stretch out your hand.”Job 1:12 (Satan's limited power by God)
Proverbs 3:5-6Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.Prov. 3:5-6 (Submission to God's will)
Galatians 3:20You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus,Gal. 3:20 (Sonship through faith)
1 Peter 4:10Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.1 Pet. 4:10 (Using gifts for God's grace)
Matthew 5:16In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.Matt. 5:16 (Shining light for God's glory)
1 Corinthians 2:14The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them, because they are discerned only through the Spirit.1 Cor. 2:14 (Spiritual understanding)
Psalm 78:2-4I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old, things that we have heard and known, and that our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the praises of the LORD, and his might, and the wonderful works that he has done.Ps. 78:2-4 (Sharing God's works)

John 9 verses

John 9 3 Meaning

Jesus explains that the blindness of the man born blind is not a result of his sin or his parents' sin, but rather that the works of God might be displayed through him. This signifies God's sovereign plan, His ability to bring glory to Himself through any circumstance, and His power to heal and restore.

John 9 3 Context

This verse occurs within Jesus' conversation with his disciples and a man blind from birth. The disciples question the cause of the man's blindness, linking it to sin. Jesus refutes this simplistic assumption and states His purpose for the situation. The immediate context is Jesus encountering a man unable to see. The broader context of John's Gospel emphasizes Jesus' identity, His divine authority, and His mission to bring salvation and revelation. Historically, healing from blindness was a significant sign of messianic power in Judaism.

John 9 3 Word analysis

  • οὐ (ou) - "not". Absolute negation.
  • ἣν (hēn) - "that" (relative pronoun, feminine singular nominative/accusative) referring to the blindness.
  • αὐτοῦ (autou) - "his" (possessive pronoun, masculine genitive singular). Refers to the man.
  • ἁμαρτία (hamartia) - "sin" (noun, feminine singular nominative). Refers to an act against God's law.
  • ἀλλ’ (all') - "but" (conjunction). Introduces a contrast.
  • ἵνα (hina) - "that" (conjunction, introduces a purpose clause). Indicates the reason for the situation.
  • φContinued: (phos) - "works" (noun, neuter plural nominative/accusative). The deeds or actions of God.
  • φανερωθῇ (phanerōthē) - "may be displayed" or "may be revealed" (verb, passive subjunctive aorist, 3rd person singular from φανερόω - phaneroō). Implies bringing into the open or making evident.

Words-group by words-group analysis

  • "neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents": This direct refutation of the disciples' causal reasoning is significant. Jesus challenges the prevalent belief that all suffering was a direct result of sin, a simplification that often lacked nuance in interpretation.
  • "but that the works of God should be manifested in him": This phrase is crucial. It attributes the man's condition, at least in part, to God's foreknowledge and sovereign purpose, not as a punitive measure, but as a canvas for divine revelation. The manifestation of "works of God" implies showcasing His power, glory, and miraculous capabilities.

John 9 3 Bonus section

The concept of "works of God" includes not only miracles of healing but also God's creative and redemptive acts. This understanding contrasts with Greek philosophical ideas of a detached deity. The passive subjunctive "phanerōthē" emphasizes that God is the active agent in the manifestation. Jesus’ statement suggests a cooperative effort between God's eternal plan and human free will within that framework, a theological complexity that has been debated through centuries. The man's healing demonstrates God's power over physical limitations and His compassionate intervention in human suffering.

John 9 3 Commentary

Jesus redirects the focus from assigning blame to understanding divine purpose. The man's blindness, while a profound personal affliction, serves as a divine stage. God is able to use circumstances, even tragic ones, to reveal His power and character. This verse highlights divine sovereignty and the reality that not all suffering is a direct consequence of personal sin, nor always intended as punishment. Instead, it can be a means for God to display His glory and working. The manifestation is not just about the physical healing but about making God's attributes visible.