John 9:24–41
Read the passage.
Because they don’t get any helpful answers from the formerly blind man’s parents, the Pharisees turn back to the man himself. Though we never get his name, we can learn some interesting things about him from the exchange. While his parents were intimidated by the authority of the Pharisees, this man was not, and he was willing to push back against their assumptions. They said to him, “Give glory to God. We know that this man [i.e., Jesus] is a sinner.” (v. 24) But he says, “Whether he is a sinner I do not know.” (v. 25) The reason he is not willing to accede to their assumption is because Jesus actually performed a miracle to give him sight. He knows that God is not in the habit of granting signs and wonders to people who aren’t following His will.
This man also has a sarcastic streak, and he reaches his limit with dealing with the hard-headed Pharisees. They ask him to say again what Jesus did to give him sight, but he’s done and won’t do it. “I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?” (v. 27) I remember when I was first taught from this passage how it was made to sound like the man was just clueless about the Pharisees’ opinions of Jesus. He was characterized as fervent, but kind of dim to not see what was obvious in this conversation. I don’t think that case can be made at all any more. He’s definitely poking fun at the Pharisees’ blind spot when it comes to Jesus.
It also seems to be the case that this man had some learning. At the very least, he was paying attention when he was in synagogue. The Pharisees assert that they follow Moses, who heard God’s voice, but they don’t know where Jesus is from. The man rebuts that there’s no way Jesus isn’t doing God’s will because He had done a miracle that hadn’t been seen before. This implies that he knows all the miracles that the prophets had performed throughout history. The Pharisees also feel like they are being lectured, and they do not take it well. They excommunicate him, accusing him of being “born in utter sin”. (v. 34)
Of course, Jesus knew ahead of time this would happen to him, but He waits until He hears about it before finding the man. When He does, He asks the most important question, and the whole reason why the man received sight in the first place. “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” (v. 35) Interestingly, the man doesn’t ask for clarification on what Jesus is talking about, but whom He is talking about. Jesus answers that it’s Him, and the man immediately does the appropriate thing and worships Him. (v. 38) They must have been alone at this point, because no one reacts to what looks like blasphemy, and I don’t think even Jesus’s disciples were this aware of exactly who Jesus is at this point. However, right after this when Jesus is talking about judgment and blindness, Pharisees hear him and comment on it. This context will be important to remember for the next passage to study.
Open our eyes to the truth, and have mercy on us.