John 9:1
From his birth [ε κ γ ε ν ε τ η ς]. The word only here in the New Testament.... [ Continue Reading ]
From his birth [ε κ γ ε ν ε τ η ς]. The word only here in the New Testament.... [ Continue Reading ]
This man, or his parents. It was a common Jewish view that the merits or demerits of the parents would appear in the children, and that the thoughts of a mother might affect the moral state of her unborn offspring. The apostasy of one of the greatest Rabbis had, in popular belief, been caused by the... [ Continue Reading ]
But that [α λ λ ι ν α]. There is an ellipsis : but (he was born blind) that.... [ Continue Reading ]
I must work [ε μ ε δ ε ι ε ρ γ α ζ ε σ θ α ι]. The best texts read hJmav, us, instead of ejme, me. Literally, it is necessary for us to work. The disciples are thus associated by Jesus with Himself. Compare John 3:11. Sent me, not us. The Son sends the disciples, as the Father sends the Son.... [ Continue Reading ]
As long as [ο τ α ν]. More correctly, whensoever. Rev., when. Whether in my incarnation, or before my incarnation, or after it. Compare John 1:4; John 1:10. The light. See on 8 12. The article is wanting. Westcott says, "Christ is 'light to the world, ' as well as 'the one Light of the world. ' The... [ Continue Reading ]
On the ground [χ α μ α ι]. Only here and John 18:6. Anointed [ε π ε χ ρ ι σ ε]. Only here and ver. 11. The spittle was regarded as having a peculiar virtue, not only as a remedy for diseases of the eye, but generally as a charm, so that it was employed in incantations. Persius, describing an old cro... [ Continue Reading ]
Wash [ν ι ψ α ι]. Wash the eyes. See on Acts 16:33. Siloam. By Rabbinical writers, Shiloach : Septuagint, Silwam : Vulgate and Latin fathers, Siloe. Josephus, generally, Siloa. In scripture always called a pool or tank, built, and not natural. The site is clearly identified in a recess at the southe... [ Continue Reading ]
Blind. The best texts substitute prosaithv, a beggar. That sat and begged [ο κ α θ η μ ε ν ο ς κ α ι π ρ ο σ α ι τ ω ν]. Literally, the one sitting and begging. Denoting something customary.... [ Continue Reading ]
He said [ε κ ε ι ν ο ς]. The strong demonstrative throws the man into strong relief as the central figure.... [ Continue Reading ]
To the pool of Siloam. The best texts read simply, Go to Siloam. Received sight [α ν ε β λ ε ψ α]. Originally, to look up, as Matthew 14:19; Mark 16:4, and so some render it here; but better, I recovered sight.... [ Continue Reading ]
It was the Sabbath day when [η ν δ ε σ α β β α τ ο ν ο τ ε]. The best texts read, instead of ote when, ejn h= hJmera on which day. Literally, it was a Sabbath on the day on which.... [ Continue Reading ]
Keepeth not the Sabbath. A Rabbinical precept declares, "It is forbidden to apply even fasting - spittle to the eyes on the Sabbath." The words in ver. 14, made the clay, also mark a specific point of offense.... [ Continue Reading ]
The Jews. Notice the change from the Pharisees. The Pharisees had already divided on this miracle (ver. 16). The Jews represent that section which was hostile to Jesus. Of him that had received his sight [α υ τ ο υ τ ο υ α ν α β λ ε ψ α ν τ ο ς]. Properly, "of the very one who had received.... [ Continue Reading ]
Had agreed - that [σ υ ν ε τ ε θ ε ι ν τ ο - ι ν α]. The sense is, had formed an agreement in order to bring about this end, viz., that the confessor of Christ should be excommunicated. Confess [ο μ ο λ ο γ η σ η]. See on Matthew 7:23; Matthew 10:32. He should be put out of the synagogue [α π ο σ υ... [ Continue Reading ]
Give God the praise [δ ο ς δ ο ξ α ν τ ω θ ε ω]. Rev., give glory to God. Compare Joshua 7:19; 1 Samuel 6:5. This phrase addressed to an offender implies that by some previous act or word he has done dishonor to God, and appeals to him to repair the dishonor by speaking the truth. In this case it is... [ Continue Reading ]
Reviled [ε λ ο ι δ ο ρ η σ α ν]. The verb means to reproach or scold in a loud and abusive manner. Calvin, on 1 Corinthians 4:12, "being reviled we bless," remarks : "Loidoria is a harsher railing, which not only rebukes a man, but also sharply bites him, and stamps him with open contumely. Hence lo... [ Continue Reading ]
Spake [λ ε λ α λ η κ ε ν]. Perfect tense, hath spoken, and the authority of Moses ' words therefore continues to the present. So Rev., Lalew is to talk, familiarly. See Exodus 33:11. Whence he is. Compare John 7:27; John 8:14.... [ Continue Reading ]
A marvelous thing [θ α υ μ α σ τ ο ν]. The correct reading adds the article, the marvel. So Rev. Ye know not. Ye is emphatic : ye who might be expected to know about a man who has wrought such a miracle. And yet [κ α ι]. See on John 8:20; John 1:10.... [ Continue Reading ]
We know. Here the pronoun is not expressed, and the we is not emphatic, like the pronouns in vv. 24, 29, but expresses the common information of all concerning a familiar fact. A worshipper of God [θ ε ο σ ε β η ς]. Only here in the New Testament. The kindred word, qeosebeia, godliness, occurs only... [ Continue Reading ]
Since the world began [ε κ τ ο υ α ι ω ν ο ς]. The exact phrase only here in the New Testament. Ap' is found in Acts 3:21; Acts 14:18; ajpo twn aijwnwn in Colossians 1:26.... [ Continue Reading ]
Altogether [ο λ ο ς]. Literally, all of thee. In sins. Standing first in the Greek order, and emphatic, as is also su thou, in both instances. "In sins wast thou born, all of thee; and dost thou teach us?" Teach. Emphatic. Dost thou, thus born in sins, assume the office of teacher ? Cast him out.... [ Continue Reading ]
Said unto him. Omit unto him. Dost thou believe [σ υ π ι σ τ ε υ ε ι ς] ? The form of the question indicates the confident expectation of an affirmative answer. It is almost an affirmation, you surely believe; you (su, emphatic) who have born such bold testimony to me that they have cast you out. N... [ Continue Reading ]
Who is He? The best texts insert kai, and; and who is he? which imparts an air of eagerness to the question.... [ Continue Reading ]
Worshipped [π ρ ο σ ε κ υ ν η σ ε ν]. See on Acts 10:25.... [ Continue Reading ]
Judgment [κ ρ ι μ α]. Not the act of judgment, but its result. His very presence in the world constitutes a separation, which is the primitive idea of judgment, between those who believe on Him and those who reject Him. See on 3 17.... [ Continue Reading ]
Are we blind also [μ η κ α ι η μ ε ι ς τ υ φ λ ο ι ε σ μ ε ν] ? The also belongs with we. The interrogative particle has the force of we are surely not, and the we is emphatic. Are we also blind ? So Rev.... [ Continue Reading ]
Ye should have no sin [ο υ κ α ν ε ι χ ε τ ε α μ α ρ τ ι α ν]. Or, ye would have had. The phrase aJmartian ecein, to have sin, occurs only in John, in the Gospel and First Epistle.... [ Continue Reading ]