Gospel of John chapter 9:35-41
John 9:35-41
Now we have the interaction between Jesus and the man he healed followed by some interaction with Pharisees.
35 Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”
Jesus had already given this man physical sight but now he searches him out to open the eyes of his heart. The act of healing a man born blind is an act of God so Jesus has displayed his Godhood but now, addressing the man, Jesus asserts his humanity using the title “Son of Man” The Jews would have understood this to me a messianic reference from Daniel 7:13.
In the early church a heresy called Docetism sprang up among the Gnostics that denied that Jesus is completely human. The apostle refutes this in 1John 4:2-3. Jesus wanted this man to know that Jesus as God had healed him and that Jesus the man was there to comfort and support him now that society had cast him out.
(The KJV and other older translations may say Son of God. Here is an article describing the manuscript evidence and why newer translations say Son of Man is the better choice. (https://bibledifferences.net/2016/05/04/138-son-of-man/)
36 “Who is he, sir?” the man asked. “Tell me so that I may believe in him.”
It is popular to assert that the church ought to be about helping the poor and redressing social ills and so it ought. But to give earthly aid without the gospel is to give what anyone can give and withhold what only Christ can provide. The man needed eyes to see but more, he needed a savior for his soul.
37 Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.”
Jesus is kind and gentle with this man giving no warnings or even parables. Jesus references his new eyes and reminds him that he also has two good ears. The man saw and heard what was only promised to Abraham and Moses and David and Elijah, the savior of the world, God in human flesh.
38 Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.
Only God receives worship, Acts 14:8-19, Revelation 19:9-10. Jesus rightly received this man’s worship. 1 John 5:20. 1 John 3:23 And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.
39 Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.”
It is the judgment of God against human pride to leave us foolishly thinking ourselves wise when we are really blind. Revelation 3:14-22.
2 Cor 4:6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.
40 Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, “What? Are we blind too?”
2 Cor 3:7 – 4:6
41 Jesus said, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.
brotherpayne 