John 9 38

John 9:38 kjv

And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.

John 9:38 nkjv

Then he said, "Lord, I believe!" And he worshiped Him.

John 9:38 niv

Then the man said, "Lord, I believe," and he worshiped him.

John 9:38 esv

He said, "Lord, I believe," and he worshiped him.

John 9:38 nlt

"Yes, Lord, I believe!" the man said. And he worshiped Jesus.

John 9 verses

John 9 38 Meaning

John 9:38 describes the culmination of the formerly blind man's spiritual journey: having physically received sight from Jesus, and subsequently being cast out by the religious authorities for defending Him, the man encounters Jesus again, acknowledges Him as "Lord," declares his belief, and expresses this profound conviction through an act of worship. This verse signifies his complete spiritual sight and personal commitment to Jesus as the Son of God, embracing Him as the rightful recipient of adoration, a profound testament to Jesus' divine identity.

John 9 38 Context

John chapter 9 presents a powerful narrative about spiritual insight versus spiritual blindness. Jesus heals a man born blind on the Sabbath, provoking intense scrutiny and hostility from the Pharisees, the Jewish religious leaders. The healed man is repeatedly questioned, and he steadfastly defends Jesus' actions and identity, progressively recognizing Jesus as a "man called Jesus" (v.11), a "prophet" (v.17), and "from God" (v.33). Because of his refusal to condemn Jesus, and his articulate defense, the Pharisees excommunicate him from the synagogue, which carried significant social and religious ramifications, ostracizing him from his community.

Verse 38 immediately follows Jesus seeking out the now-ostracized man. Jesus asks if he believes in the Son of God (or Son of Man, depending on the manuscript tradition, but the meaning converges). The man, not knowing who the Son of God/Man is, asks for clarification, and Jesus reveals His identity. The man's response in John 9:38 is the climactic moment, where his physical sight, newfound courage, and profound intellectual understanding transform into complete spiritual revelation and devout submission. He, an outcast, fully embraces Jesus, while the self-proclaimed seers remain in darkness.

John 9 38 Word analysis

• And he said,

  • This simple introduction highlights the man's direct and personal response, following Jesus' self-revelation. It emphasizes his immediate acceptance of truth.

• Lord, (κύριος - kyrios)

  • Greek significance: Kyrios has a range of meanings, from "sir" (a respectful address, as in earlier verses by the man, v.36) to "master" or even "God."
  • Contextual significance: In this specific moment, coupled with the declaration of belief and act of worship, it unequivocally carries the connotation of divine authority and deity. It is far more than a polite address; it signifies a recognition of Jesus' ultimate sovereignty. This reflects a progression in the man's understanding of Jesus, from merely a healer to one worthy of ultimate reverence.

• I believe. (πιστεύω - pisteuo)

  • Greek significance: Pisteuo means "to believe," "to have faith," "to trust." It denotes not just intellectual assent but a profound commitment, a reliance on the person and claims of Jesus.
  • Contextual significance: This is an explicit, personal, and public declaration of faith. It represents the man's full acceptance of Jesus' identity as the Son of God/Man (as revealed in v.35-37), and implicitly, his divine nature. This belief comes at great personal cost, having just been expelled by the religious authorities, highlighting the sincerity and depth of his conviction.

• And he worshipped him. (προσκυνέω - proskyneo)

  • Greek significance: Proskyneo literally means "to prostrate oneself before," indicating an act of profound reverence, adoration, and submission, typically reserved for deities or highly esteemed monarchs.
  • Biblical significance: In Jewish theology, true worship is due only to God (Ex 20:3-5). The fact that the man worships Jesus, and that Jesus accepts this worship, is a pivotal statement in John's Gospel regarding Jesus' deity. Jesus repeatedly affirms that God alone is to be worshipped (Mt 4:10, Lk 4:8), yet he does not rebuke this man, solidifying His divine identity and claim.
  • Significance: This is the culminating act. His belief translates into immediate and profound devotion. It shows not merely recognition of who Jesus is, but an appropriate, obedient response to that recognition.

• Words-group: "Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him."

  • This sequence is the spiritual climax of the chapter and the man's spiritual transformation. It represents a full, articulate, and action-oriented embrace of Jesus' divinity. The verbal confession ("Lord, I believe") is immediately validated and intensified by the physical act of worship. It's the moment of conversion for this individual, demonstrating a transition from physical sight to full spiritual discernment and devotion.

John 9 38 Bonus section

The active seeking out of the marginalized is a consistent theme in Jesus' ministry. After the formerly blind man is excommunicated (John 9:34-35), Jesus immediately goes and finds him. This demonstrates that while the religious establishment might cast out those who confess Jesus, Jesus himself actively seeks to draw near to those very individuals, providing comfort, further revelation, and solidifying their faith. This highlights the contrast between institutional rejection and divine acceptance, and that true belonging is found not in a synagogue, but in a relationship with Christ. The man’s progression in identifying Jesus – from a “man called Jesus” to a “prophet,” then "from God," and finally “Lord” worthy of worship – perfectly illustrates the journey of faith from initial encounter to full revelation and commitment.

John 9 38 Commentary

John 9:38 provides the powerful resolution to the story of the man born blind. After suffering both physical blindness and social ostracism from his community for speaking truth about Jesus, he receives an even greater gift: spiritual illumination. His declaration, "Lord, I believe," signifies a complete trust and acceptance of Jesus' identity, an identity confirmed by Jesus himself. This intellectual and spiritual assent is immediately followed by a profound act of worship, proskyneo, which in the context of monotheistic Judaism is an act reserved for God alone. Jesus' acceptance of this worship is a profound theological statement of His deity.

The verse encapsulates a core theme of John's Gospel: those who truly see Jesus for who He is—the light of the world, the Son of God—will naturally be drawn to acknowledge and worship Him, regardless of the cost. The man, once blind and an outcast, becomes the prime example of a true disciple, in stark contrast to the Pharisees who, despite their physical sight and religious knowledge, remain spiritually blind and refuse to see Jesus. His journey from an object of discussion to a devout worshipper is a pattern for all who come to genuine faith.