Who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind? — That is, was it for his own sins, or the sins of his parents? They suppose (as many of the Jews did, though without any ground from Scripture) that he might have sinned in a pre — existent state, before he came into the world.... [ Continue Reading ]
Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents — It was not the manner of our Lord to answer any questions that were of no use, but to gratify an idle curiosity. Therefore he determines nothing concerning this. The scope of his answer is, It was neither for any sins of his own, nor ye... [ Continue Reading ]
The night is coming — Christ is the light. When the light is withdrawn night comes, when no man can work — No man can do any thing toward working out his salvation after this life is ended. Yet Christ can work always. But he was not to work upon earth, only during the day, or season which was appoin... [ Continue Reading ]
I am the light of the world — I teach men inwardly by my Spirit, and outwardly by my preaching, what is the will of God; and I show them, by my example, how they must do it.... [ Continue Reading ]
He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay — This might almost have blinded a man that had sight. But what could it do toward curing the blind? It reminds us that God is no farther from the event, when he works either with, or without means, and that all the creatures are only that which hi... [ Continue Reading ]
Go, wash at the pool of Siloam — Perhaps our Lord intended to make the miracle more taken notice of. For a crowd of people would naturally gather round him to observe the event of so strange a prescription, and it is exceeding probable, the guide who must have led him in traversing a great part of t... [ Continue Reading ]
A man called Jesus — He seems to have been before totally ignorant of him.... [ Continue Reading ]
Anointing the eyes — With any kind of medicine on the Sabbath, was particularly forbidden by the tradition of the elders.... [ Continue Reading ]
This man is not of God — Not sent of God. How can a man that is a sinner — That is, one living in wilful sin, do such miracles?... [ Continue Reading ]
What sayest thou of him, for that he hath opened thine eyes? — What inference dost thou draw herefrom?... [ Continue Reading ]
He should be put out of the synagogue — That is be excommunicated.... [ Continue Reading ]
Are ye also — As well as I, at length convinced and willing to be his disciples?... [ Continue Reading ]
We know not whence he is — By what power and authority he does these things.... [ Continue Reading ]
The man answered — Utterly illiterate as he was. And with what strength and clearness of reason! So had God opened the eyes of his understanding, as well as his bodily eyes. Why, herein is a marvellous thing, that ye — The teachers and guides of the people, should not know, that a man who has wrough... [ Continue Reading ]
We — Even we of the populace, know that God heareth not sinners — Not impenitent sinners, so as to answer their prayers in this manner. The honest courage of this man in adhering to the truth, though he knew the consequence, John 9:22, gives him claim to the title of a confessor.... [ Continue Reading ]
He could do nothing — Of this kind; nothing miraculous.... [ Continue Reading ]
Born in sin — And therefore, they supposed, born blind. They cast him out — Of the synagogue; excommunicated him.... [ Continue Reading ]
Having found him — For he had sought him.... [ Continue Reading ]
Who is he, that I may believe? — This implies some degree of faith already. He was ready to receive whatever Jesus said.... [ Continue Reading ]
Lord, I believe — What an excellent spirit was this man of! Of so deep and strong an understanding; (as he had just shown to the confusion of the Pharisees,) and yet of so teachable a temper!... [ Continue Reading ]
For judgment am I come into the world — That is, the consequence of my coming will be, that by the just judgment of God, while the blind in body and soul receive their sight, they who boast they see, will be given up to still greater blindness than before.... [ Continue Reading ]
If ye had been blind — Invincibly ignorant; if ye had not had so many means of knowing: ye would have had no sin — Comparatively to what ye have now. But now ye say — Ye yourselves acknowledge, Ye see, therefore your sin remaineth — Without excuse, without remedy.... [ Continue Reading ]