John 9:11

KJV

He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight.

KJV (with Strong's)

He {G1565} answered {G611} and {G2532} said {G2036}, A man {G444} that is called {G3004} Jesus {G2424} made {G4160} clay {G4081}, and {G2532} anointed {G2025} mine {G3450} eyes {G3788}, and {G2532} said {G2036} unto me {G3427}, Go {G5217} to {G1519} the pool {G2861} of Siloam {G4611}, and {G2532} wash {G3538}: and {G1161} I went {G565} and {G2532} washed {G3538}, and I received sight {G308}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He answered, “The man called Yeshua made mud, put it on my eyes, and told me, ‘Go to Shiloach and wash!’ So I went; and as soon as I had washed, I could see.”

Berean Standard Bible

He answered, “The man they call Jesus made some mud and anointed my eyes, and He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed and received my sight.”

American Standard Version

He answered, The man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to Siloam, and wash: so I went away and washed, and I received sight.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 9:11 captures the concise and powerful testimony of the man born blind, who, when questioned about his newfound sight, attributes his healing directly to "a man that is called Jesus." This pivotal verse serves as the man's initial, unembellished account of the miraculous transformation, detailing Jesus' unique method of using clay and the subsequent instruction to wash in the Pool of Siloam, culminating in his immediate restoration of vision. It stands as a straightforward declaration of fact, setting the stage for the escalating theological and social conflict that follows in the narrative.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within the broader narrative of [John Chapter 9](/john/9 "John 9 - The Healing of the Man Born Blind"), which details one of Jesus' most significant miracles. The story begins with Jesus and His disciples encountering the man, prompting a discussion about the cause of his blindness, which Jesus refutes as being due to sin, declaring instead that it was "that the works of God should be made manifest in him" ([John 9:3](/john/9-3 "John 9:3 - The Purpose of Blindness")). Immediately following this declaration, Jesus performs the healing by spitting on the ground, making clay, anointing the man's eyes, and then instructing him to wash in the [Pool of Siloam](/john/9-7 "John 9:7 - The Pool of Siloam"). Verse 11 is the man's direct and simple response to the astonishment and skepticism of his neighbors and the Pharisees who question how he received his sight, preceding their more intense interrogation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, blindness was often perceived as a consequence of sin or divine judgment, a belief challenged by Jesus in [John 9:2-3](/john/9-2-3 "John 9:2-3 - Disciples' Question and Jesus' Answer"). Jesus' act of healing on the Sabbath (implied by the setting and later explicitly stated in [John 9:14](/john/9-14 "John 9:14 - The Sabbath Controversy")) was a significant point of contention with the Jewish religious authorities, as it was considered "work" and thus unlawful. The use of saliva and clay, while sometimes associated with folk remedies, was not a standard medical practice and likely served to highlight Jesus' unique, creative power, perhaps echoing God's creation of humanity from dust in [Genesis 2:7](/genesis/2-7 "Genesis 2:7 - Creation of Man"). The Pool of Siloam, a real historical site in Jerusalem, was fed by the Gihon Spring and held ceremonial significance, particularly during the Feast of Tabernacles, where water was drawn from it for a libation ceremony. Its name, meaning "Sent," adds symbolic depth to Jesus' instruction.
* **Key Themes:** John 9:11 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the Gospel of John and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the theme of **Jesus as the Light of the World**, explicitly stated in [John 9:5](/john/9-5 "John 9:5 - Jesus, the Light of the World"), where His healing of the blind man physically manifests this spiritual truth. The verse also underscores the theme of **divine sovereignty over suffering**, as Jesus declares the man's blindness was not a result of sin but for God's glory ([John 9:3](/john/9-3 "God's Purpose in Suffering")). The man's simple **obedience and faith** in following Jesus' unusual instructions are central, highlighting that divine healing often requires human response. Finally, the man's straightforward **testimony** becomes a powerful witness, contrasting sharply with the **spiritual blindness** of the Pharisees who, despite having physical sight, fail to recognize Jesus' divine authority and identity, a theme explored throughout [John Chapter 9](/john/9 "John 9 - Spiritual Blindness and Sight").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **made (Greek, _poiéō_):** This verb (G4160) signifies to "make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)." Here, it emphasizes Jesus' active, creative agency in forming the clay, an act that points to His divine power, reminiscent of the Creator. It is not merely a passive action but a deliberate, purposeful making.
* **anointed (Greek, _epichríō_):** The word (G2025) means "to smear over." It precisely describes the physical action of Jesus applying the clay to the man's eyes. This specific term highlights the direct, tangible nature of Jesus' intervention, distinguishing it from a mere touch or spoken word, and emphasizing the physical contact involved in the healing process.
* **received sight (Greek, _anablépō_):** This verb (G308) means "to look up; by implication, to recover sight." In this context, it unequivocally denotes the miraculous restoration of the man's vision. The term captures both the physical act of seeing again and the profound, immediate change that occurred, underscoring the supernatural nature of the healing.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He answered and said":** This phrase immediately establishes the setting as an interrogation, likely by the man's neighbors or the Pharisees, who are questioning the unprecedented nature of his healing. The man's response is direct and unhesitating, indicating his clear recollection of the events.
* **"A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes":** The man identifies Jesus as the agent of his healing, using His common name. He then describes the specific, unusual method employed: Jesus making clay (from saliva and dust, as described in [John 9:6](/john/9-6 "John 9:6 - Jesus Makes Clay")) and applying it to his eyes. This detail is crucial, as it sets the stage for the later controversy regarding Jesus' actions on the Sabbath.
* **"and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash":** The man recounts Jesus' specific instruction, which involved an act of obedience on his part. The command to go to the Pool of Siloam and wash was an integral part of the healing process, not merely a follow-up, and it tested the man's willingness to follow an unconventional directive.
* **"and I went and washed, and I received sight":** This final clause powerfully conveys the man's simple, immediate obedience and the miraculous, undeniable outcome. The sequence of "went," "washed," and "received sight" highlights the direct cause-and-effect relationship between his obedience to Jesus' command and the restoration of his vision. It is a factual, irrefutable statement of his personal experience.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Testimony** is paramount, as the entire verse functions as the man's direct, factual, and unembellished account of his healing. This simple declaration stands in stark contrast to the complex theological debates and legalistic arguments that follow. There is also a subtle **Irony** present: the man who was physically blind now "sees" clearly—both literally and spiritually, recognizing Jesus' power—while the sighted religious leaders remain spiritually blind to Jesus' true identity and authority. The act of Jesus making **clay** can be seen as **Symbolism**, echoing God's creative act in forming humanity from dust in [Genesis 2:7](/genesis/2-7 "Genesis 2:7 - God Forms Man from Dust"), suggesting Jesus' divine power to recreate and restore. The **Pool of Siloam** also carries **Symbolic** weight, as its name means "Sent," linking the physical act of washing to Jesus, the "Sent One" from God. The narrative structure itself demonstrates **Cause and Effect**, clearly linking the man's obedience to Jesus' instructions with the immediate and profound restoration of his sight.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 9:11 powerfully illustrates the intersection of divine power, human obedience, and the nature of testimony. The man's simple statement underscores Jesus' absolute authority over physical infirmity, revealing Him as the one through whom "the works of God should be made manifest" ([John 9:3](/john/9-3 "John 9:3 - God's Works Manifested")). His willingness to follow Jesus' unconventional instructions, even when they seemed illogical, highlights the transformative power of simple faith and obedience. This verse also establishes the man's personal experience as an irrefutable witness to Jesus' identity and power, setting the stage for his courageous defense of Jesus against the skeptical religious authorities. It serves as a foundational declaration of what Jesus has done, providing concrete evidence for His divine claims.

* [Mark 8:22-25](/mark/8-22-25 "Mark 8:22-25 - Jesus Heals a Blind Man at Bethsaida")
* [Isaiah 35:5-6](/isaiah/35-5-6 "Isaiah 35:5-6 - Prophecy of Eyes Opened")
* [Acts 4:19-20](/acts/4-19-20 "Acts 4:19-20 - Peter and John's Testimony")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The man born blind's testimony in John 9:11 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. His response is characterized by its simplicity, directness, and focus on what Jesus did. He doesn't offer theological explanations or engage in philosophical debate; he merely states the undeniable facts of his experience. This challenges us to consider the power of our own personal testimonies. What has Jesus done in our lives? Can we articulate it with such clarity and conviction? Furthermore, the man's immediate obedience to Jesus' unusual instruction to wash in the Pool of Siloam, despite his blindness and the unconventional nature of the command, underscores the importance of trusting God's methods, even when they seem counterintuitive. Our faith is often tested not in understanding everything, but in simply obeying. This verse encourages us to be bold and clear in sharing our encounters with Christ, recognizing that our personal stories are powerful tools for evangelism and a testament to God's ongoing work in the world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the man's simple, factual testimony challenge our own tendency to overcomplicate or intellectualize our faith experiences?**
* **In what areas of your life might God be asking for simple obedience, even if the instructions seem unusual or the outcome is not immediately clear?**
* **What is your personal "John 9:11" moment—a clear, undeniable experience of Jesus' work in your life—and how can you share it more effectively?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus use clay and saliva to heal the man?**

Answer: Jesus' method of making clay with saliva and anointing the man's eyes was not a standard medical practice of the time, nor was it His only method of healing. In [Mark 7:33](/mark/7-33 "Mark 7:33 - Jesus Heals a Deaf Man") and [Mark 8:23](/mark/8-23 "Mark 8:23 - Jesus Heals a Blind Man at Bethsaida"), Jesus also used saliva in healing. One interpretation is that the clay, formed from the earth, symbolically harks back to God's original act of creation, where He formed humanity from the dust of the ground ([Genesis 2:7](/genesis/2-7 "Genesis 2:7 - Creation of Man")). This would signify Jesus' divine power not merely to heal, but to "re-create" or bring about a new creation. It also served as a test of the man's faith and obedience, requiring him to participate actively in the healing process by going to the Pool of Siloam. The unusual method ensured that the miracle was clearly attributed to Jesus and not to any conventional means.

**What is the significance of the Pool of Siloam in this narrative?**

Answer: The Pool of Siloam was a real, historically significant pool in Jerusalem, fed by the Gihon Spring. Its name, "Siloam," means "Sent" (from the Hebrew _shalach_, to send). This meaning is highly symbolic in the context of John's Gospel, where Jesus frequently refers to Himself as the one "sent" by the Father ([John 5:23](/john/5-23 "John 5:23 - Jesus Sent by the Father"), [John 6:29](/john/6-29 "John 6:29 - Belief in the Sent One")). By instructing the man to wash in the Pool of Siloam, Jesus not only required an act of obedience but also subtly linked the physical healing to His own identity as the "Sent One" who brings light and salvation. Furthermore, the pool was used for ritual purification, especially during the Feast of Tabernacles, adding a layer of spiritual cleansing to the physical restoration.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The physical healing recounted in John 9:11 serves as a profound pointer to the spiritual sight and new creation that Jesus Christ brings. Just as Jesus made clay to restore physical vision, He performs a deeper work of new creation in the human heart, transforming those who are spiritually blind into those who can truly "see" God and His truth. Jesus Himself declares, "I am the light of the world" ([John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World"), [John 9:5](/john/9-5 "John 9:5 - Jesus, the Light of the World")), and His healing of the blind man is a tangible demonstration of this claim. Through His atoning work, Christ opens the eyes of those blinded by the god of this world ([2 Corinthians 4:4](/2_corinthians/4-4 "2 Corinthians 4:4 - The God of This World Blinds")) and grants spiritual understanding, enabling them to perceive the glory of God in His face ([2 Corinthians 4:6](/2_corinthians/4-6 "2 Corinthians 4:6 - God's Light in Our Hearts")). The man's simple obedience and subsequent testimony foreshadow the call to all believers to respond to Christ's saving work with faith and to bear witness to the transformative power of the Gospel, which brings light and life to those who were once in darkness ([Ephesians 5:8](/ephesians/5-8 "Ephesians 5:8 - Walk as Children of Light")). In Christ, we receive not just restored physical sight, but eternal spiritual vision, enabling us to walk in the light of God's truth.

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

John 9:6

When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay,

John 9:7

And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.

John 9:27

He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear [it] again? will ye also be his disciples?

Jeremiah 36:17

And they asked Baruch, saying, Tell us now, How didst thou write all these words at his mouth?