John 9:10

KJV

Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened?

KJV (with Strong's)

Therefore {G3767} said they {G3004} unto him {G846}, How {G4459} were {G455} thine {G4675} eyes {G3788} opened {G455}?

Complete Jewish Bible

“How were your eyes opened?” they asked him.

Berean Standard Bible

“How then were your eyes opened?” they asked.

American Standard Version

They said therefore unto him, How then were thine eyes opened?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 9:10 captures the immediate, incredulous reaction of the crowd to the miraculous healing of a man born blind. Having recognized him, their astonishment transitions from debating his identity to a direct, probing question about the *method* of his sight's restoration, revealing a deep human need to comprehend the inexplicable, even when confronted with undeniable divine power.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal moment following the dramatic healing recounted in [John 9:1-7](/john/9-1-7 "John 9:1-7 - Jesus Heals the Man Born Blind"). Jesus, encountering a man blind from birth, performs a unique healing by anointing his eyes with mud and instructing him to wash in the Pool of Siloam. The man's obedience results in immediate sight. The narrative then shifts in [John 9:8-9](/john/9-8-9 "John 9:8-9 - Neighbors Debate the Man's Identity") to the reaction of his neighbors and acquaintances, who are utterly perplexed and divided over whether this is truly the same beggar they knew. Verse 10 marks the point where their confusion over his identity gives way to a direct interrogation about the *how* of his transformation, setting the stage for the subsequent confrontations with the religious authorities and the man's developing testimony.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Blindness in ancient Israel was often associated with sin or divine judgment, as seen in the disciples' initial question in [John 9:2](/john/9-2 "John 9:2 - Disciples Ask About Sin and Blindness"). A person born blind was considered beyond human help, making this miracle particularly profound. The healing also occurred on the Sabbath, a detail that becomes a major point of contention for the Pharisees throughout the chapter, as they strictly interpreted the Mosaic Law regarding work on the Sabbath (cf. [Exodus 20:8-11](/exodus/20-8-11 "Exodus 20:8-11 - The Fourth Commandment")). The public nature of the man's former begging would have made him a well-known figure, intensifying the community's shock and skepticism when confronted with his restored sight.
* **Key Themes:** John 9:10 significantly contributes to several key themes within the Gospel of John. Firstly, it highlights the **Nature of Miracles** as undeniable, supernatural acts that defy natural explanation, thus demanding a response. The question "How were thine eyes opened?" underscores the extraordinary nature of the event. Secondly, it exemplifies **Skepticism and Inquiry** as a common human reaction to divine intervention; rather than immediate faith, the crowd's first impulse is doubt and a demand for a rational account. This sets up the repeated interrogations the man will face. Thirdly, the man's simple reply in [John 9:11](/john/9-11 "John 9:11 - The Man's First Testimony") initiates the theme of **Witness and Testimony**, as his personal experience becomes a powerful, albeit challenged, witness to Jesus' power. Finally, the physical healing serves as a potent metaphor for **Spiritual vs. Physical Sight**, foreshadowing the deeper spiritual insight the man will gain in contrast to the spiritual blindness of the religious leaders, a theme Jesus explicitly addresses later in the chapter (cf. [John 9:39-41](/john/9-39-41 "John 9:39-41 - Jesus on Spiritual Blindness")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **said (Greek, _légō'_):** (G3004) A primary verb, properly meaning to "lay forth" or relate in words, often implying systematic or set discourse. Here, it signifies the crowd's deliberate and direct verbal inquiry, moving beyond mere observation or debate to a focused interrogation of the man himself.
* **eyes (Greek, _ophthalmós'_):** (G3788) From ὀπτάνομαι, referring to the physical organ of sight. In this context, it highlights the undeniable physical transformation—the restoration of vision—that is the immediate cause of the crowd's astonishment and their subsequent question. The focus is on the tangible reality of the miracle.
* **opened (Greek, _anoígō'_):** (G455) From ἀνά and (to open), meaning to open up, whether literally or figuratively. The KJV's "were opened" accurately reflects the Greek aorist passive indicative, emphasizing that the action was performed *upon* the man, not by his own effort or will. This grammatical construction underscores the external, divine agency of the miracle, making the "How?" question even more profound as it points to the source of such extraordinary power.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therefore said they unto him":** This phrase marks a logical progression from the preceding verses, where the neighbors and acquaintances debated the man's identity. "Therefore" indicates that their question is a direct consequence of their recognition and bewilderment. The "they" refers to the collective group of people who knew the man, whose collective astonishment compels them to shift from internal debate to direct confrontation and inquiry. Their statement is not casual but driven by profound incredulity.
* **"How were thine eyes opened?":** This is the core of the verse, an interrogative statement that reveals the crowd's utter disbelief and their demand for an explanation. It acknowledges the undeniable fact of his restored sight ("thine eyes opened") while simultaneously expressing their inability to comprehend the *method* or *means* by which such an impossible event occurred. The passive voice ("were opened") inherently points to an external agent, prompting the inquiry into the identity and power of that agent, which will drive the rest of the chapter's narrative.

#### Literary Devices
John 9:10 employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is **Interrogation**, as the entire verse is framed as a direct question, reflecting the human impulse to seek rational explanations for the supernatural. This question serves as a narrative catalyst, propelling the story forward into a series of interrogations by various groups. There is also a subtle layer of **Irony** at play: those with physical sight are spiritually blind to the divine power before them, while the physically blind man is on the path to spiritual insight. The "opening of eyes" itself functions as powerful **Symbolism**, representing not only physical healing but also the spiritual enlightenment that comes through encountering Jesus, the Light of the World.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 9:10 underscores humanity's struggle to reconcile the supernatural with the natural, often leading to skepticism rather than immediate faith. The crowd's demand for "how" mirrors a broader human tendency to seek explanations that fit within existing frameworks, even when confronted with evidence of divine intervention. Theologically, this highlights the often-unpredictable nature of God's work, which frequently transcends human comprehension and challenges preconceived notions about divine power and its manifestation. The question itself, while born of doubt, inadvertently serves to magnify the miracle's impact by forcing an explanation that points directly to Jesus.

* [Psalm 77:14](/psalms/77-14 "Psalm 77:14 - God's Miracles and Power")
* [Acts 3:12](/acts/3-12 "Acts 3:12 - Peter Addresses the Crowd's Astonishment")
* [1 Corinthians 1:22-24](/1_corinthians/1-22-24 "1 Corinthians 1:22-24 - Christ, the Power and Wisdom of God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 9:10 serves as a powerful mirror for our own reactions when confronted with God's extraordinary work, whether in the world or in our personal lives. Do we, like the crowd, immediately default to skepticism and a demand for a rational, explainable "how," or do we approach such divine interventions with a posture of wonder and a willingness to believe beyond our current understanding? The man born blind, despite the relentless questioning, stands firm in his simple testimony, demonstrating that personal experience with Jesus is a powerful, unassailable witness. This verse challenges us to move beyond mere intellectual curiosity about God's power to a deeper engagement that fosters faith and prompts us to share our own stories of transformation, even when met with disbelief or scrutiny. Our personal encounters with Christ, however simple, are potent testimonies to His ongoing work.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **When faced with something extraordinary or seemingly inexplicable, what is your immediate reaction? Do you seek to understand, or do you quickly dismiss it?**
* **How does the crowd's skepticism in this passage challenge or affirm your own approach to faith and miracles?**
* **In what ways might your own "eyes" (physical or spiritual) need to be opened by Jesus today?**
* **What is your "how" — the simple, personal testimony of how Jesus has worked in your life — that you might be called to share, even when questioned?**

### FAQ

**Why was the crowd so focused on "how" the man's eyes were opened, rather than simply celebrating his healing?**

Answer: The question "How?" reflects a natural human tendency to seek rational explanations for extraordinary events, especially those that defy common experience and medical understanding. For a man born blind, his condition was considered incurable, making his sudden sight profoundly unsettling and unbelievable to those who knew him. Their focus on the *method* of healing, rather than immediate celebration, indicates their deep bewilderment and perhaps a subconscious desire to fit this miracle into a comprehensible framework. This inquiry also sets the stage for the deeper theological and legal interrogations that follow, particularly concerning Jesus' actions on the Sabbath, which the religious authorities will later scrutinize as a violation of their laws (cf. [John 9:16](/john/9-16 "John 9:16 - Division Among the Pharisees")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 9:10, with its focus on the "how" of the blind man's healing, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate work of Christ in opening not just physical eyes, but spiritual ones. Jesus had already declared Himself to be [the light of the world](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World"), and His healing of the blind man is a tangible demonstration of this claim. Just as the crowd struggled to comprehend the physical miracle, humanity often struggles to grasp the spiritual transformation offered by Christ. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus provides the means for humanity to be delivered from the spiritual blindness of sin and unbelief, enabling them to see God's truth and glory. As [Paul writes in 2 Corinthians](/2_corinthians/4-6 "2 Corinthians 4:6 - God's Light in Our Hearts"), "For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." The man's journey from physical blindness to sight, and then to spiritual insight and worship of Jesus (cf. [John 9:38](/john/9-38 "John 9:38 - The Man Worships Jesus")), serves as a profound parable for the saving work of Christ, who continually opens the eyes of those who were once spiritually blind, bringing them into His marvelous light (cf. [1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - Called Out of Darkness into Light")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ecclesiastes 11:5

As thou knowest not what [is] the way of the spirit, [nor] how the bones [do grow] in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.

John 9:26

Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes?

1 Corinthians 15:35

¶ But some [man] will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?

John 9:21

But by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself.

John 9:15

Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see.

John 3:9

Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?

Mark 4:27

And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how.