John 9:36 kjv
He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?
John 9:36 nkjv
He answered and said, "Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?"
John 9:36 niv
"Who is he, sir?" the man asked. "Tell me so that I may believe in him."
John 9:36 esv
He answered, "And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?"
John 9:36 nlt
The man answered, "Who is he, sir? I want to believe in him."
John 9 36 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Dan 7:13-14 | "I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man..." | Prophecy of the Son of Man's divine authority. |
| Matt 16:16 | Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” | Confession of Christ's identity. |
| Matt 16:17 | And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven." | Divine revelation for true faith. |
| John 1:12 | But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, | Receiving Jesus leads to spiritual adoption. |
| John 3:16 | "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish..." | Essential promise of belief in Jesus. |
| John 5:27 | "And He has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man." | Son of Man as judge. |
| John 6:29 | Jesus answered, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” | The work of God is to believe in Jesus. |
| John 8:12 | Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness..." | Jesus as light, overcoming spiritual darkness. |
| John 9:3 | Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him." | Purpose of healing to display God's works. |
| John 9:35 | Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him he said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?” | Jesus initiates the call to belief. |
| John 9:38 | He said, "Lord, I believe." And he worshiped him. | The man's ultimate act of faith and worship. |
| John 14:1 | “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me." | Call to personal belief in Jesus. |
| John 14:11 | "Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves." | Basis for belief in Jesus. |
| Acts 8:37 | And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he replied, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” | Ethiopian eunuch's confession of faith. |
| Rom 10:9-10 | "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." | Confession and belief for salvation. |
| 1 Cor 12:3 | Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit. | Saying Jesus is Lord requires the Spirit. |
| Eph 1:18 | having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you... | Spiritual enlightenment. |
| Col 2:2 | "that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding, in order to know the mystery of God, Christ." | Growing in the knowledge of Christ. |
| Heb 11:6 | "And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him." | Importance of faith to please God. |
| 1 Pet 1:8 | "Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory." | Believing without seeing. |
| 1 John 5:13 | I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life. | Assurance for those who believe in the Son of God. |
John 9 verses
John 9 36 Meaning
John 9:36 captures a pivotal moment of spiritual longing and readiness. After being physically healed by Jesus and then expelled from the synagogue for testifying about Him, the formerly blind man encounters Jesus again. This verse expresses his earnest desire to understand the identity of the one Jesus referred to as the "Son of Man" (Jn 9:35), so that he may place his full belief in Him. It signifies a transition from intellectual curiosity to a heartfelt seeking of saving faith, marking the man's spiritual journey from physical sight to divine revelation and personal commitment.
John 9 36 Context
John chapter 9 details Jesus' healing of a man born blind. This miracle provokes a lengthy spiritual and theological dispute. The man, a social outcast due to his blindness, receives both physical sight and progressive spiritual insight into Jesus' identity. The Jewish religious leaders, particularly the Pharisees, refuse to acknowledge the miraculous nature of the healing and, driven by their antagonism towards Jesus, eventually excommunicate the man for his unwavering testimony. This excommunication meant severe social and religious ostracization.
Knowing of the man's expulsion and vulnerable state, Jesus specifically seeks him out, demonstrating His pastoral care for those rejected by religious institutions for His sake. In the preceding verse (Jn 9:35), Jesus directly asks the man, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" John 9:36 is the formerly blind man's earnest and humble response, indicating his desire for clarity so he can truly believe. His question reflects a mind open to truth, sharply contrasting with the willful blindness of the Pharisees. The encounter culminates in the man's confession of faith and worship (Jn 9:38), showing that true spiritual vision leads to acknowledging Jesus as Lord.
John 9 36 Word analysis
He answered and said (ἀπεκρίθη ἐκεῖνος καὶ εἶπεν - apekrithē ekeinos kai eipen): This highlights the man's direct and immediate engagement with Jesus' crucial question from the previous verse. His quick reply signifies attentiveness and a genuine desire to proceed with spiritual understanding.
“Who is He (τίς ἐστιν - tis estin): A profound question of identity. It's not a dismissive or casual inquiry but a request for divine revelation, demonstrating a heart poised for belief. The man's journey of understanding Jesus—from "a man called Jesus" to "a prophet" to one "from God"—leads him to this pinnacle query about who this specific "Son of Man" truly is.
Lord (Κύριε - Kyrie):
- Meaning: This term can function as a respectful address like "sir" or "master." However, in a New Testament context, particularly in interaction with Jesus, it often transcends mere politeness to signify acknowledging authority, veneration, or even divine sovereignty.
- Significance: For the formerly blind man, who has witnessed and experienced Jesus' unique power, addressing Jesus as Kyrie here reflects a growing recognition of Jesus' pre-eminence. It suggests he perceives Jesus as more than an ordinary man and anticipates the revelation of His divine identity, setting the stage for faith and worship. It shows his deference and receptiveness.
that I may believe (ἵνα πιστεύσω - hina pisteusō):
- Meaning: The Greek word hina introduces a purpose clause: "in order that I may believe." The verb pisteusō is in the subjunctive mood, expressing a desire or a potential action dependent on gaining knowledge.
- Significance: This phrase is crucial. It reveals the man's profound intention and spiritual yearning. His request for information about Jesus' identity is not academic; it is driven by a deep longing to place his trust, confidence, and allegiance in this Person. It signifies his spiritual readiness and the active nature of genuine faith, which seeks truth in order to embrace it.
in Him (εἰς αὐτόν - eis auton): The preposition eis with auton (Him) indicates directional faith, meaning belief into Him. It signifies a complete reliance upon, and surrender to, Jesus as the object of his faith. It emphasizes the personal and immersive nature of his intended belief.
Words-group Analysis:
- "Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?": This unified statement powerfully conveys the man's transition from physical to spiritual sight. It's a prayerful cry for further revelation, blending reverential inquiry ("Who is He, Lord?") with a resolute commitment to personal faith ("that I may believe in Him"). This sequence illustrates the journey from recognition of Jesus' power to seeking His divine identity for the purpose of personal trust and salvation. It encapsulates the essence of humble, responsive faith awaiting divine disclosure.
John 9 36 Bonus section
- The man's journey from calling Jesus "the man" (Jn 9:11), to "a prophet" (Jn 9:17), to "a man from God" (Jn 9:33), and finally addressing Him as "Lord" and believing in Him as the "Son of Man" (Jn 9:36-38) illustrates a remarkable progressive revelation and development of faith.
- This specific dialogue between Jesus and the man born blind stands in stark contrast to Jesus' frustrating exchanges with the Pharisees in the same chapter. The man's spiritual openness and humble pursuit of truth allow him to receive revelation, whereas the Pharisees' spiritual pride and preconceptions blind them to the obvious works of God.
- Jesus initiating this follow-up encounter underscores His personal compassion and commitment to those who confess Him, even when such confession leads to persecution (Jn 9:34). He does not abandon those who suffer for His name but actively pursues them to deepen their faith and provide ultimate comfort.
- The title "Son of Man," which Jesus uses to identify Himself in response (Jn 9:37), is one of Jesus' most significant self-designations, deeply rooted in Daniel 7:13-14. It connects His humble humanity with His ultimate divine authority, especially concerning judgment and eternal reign. The man's question ultimately leads to this profound Messianic revelation.
John 9 36 Commentary
John 9:36 is a powerful testament to the earnest seeking heart that God reveals Himself to. The man, ostracized by religious authority for his testimony of Jesus' work, is found and directly ministered to by Jesus, who had asked him if he believed in the Son of Man. The formerly blind man's response is not a declaration but an inquiry, "Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?" This reflects an astounding spiritual progression. He calls Jesus "Lord," indicating a burgeoning recognition of His unique authority, moving beyond just a "man" or "prophet." His ultimate purpose is clearly stated: "that I may believe." He desires to fully comprehend Jesus' identity so he can wholeheartedly commit his faith to Him. This is not casual curiosity but an urgent desire for salvation. It highlights that saving faith is not a blind leap, but an informed trust that responds to divine revelation, confirming the biblical principle that genuine faith often comes after the Holy Spirit opens one's understanding to Christ's identity and truth (Eph 1:18). This verse serves as a beacon of hope for all who seek to know and believe in the Lord.