John 9:15

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {G3767} again {G3825} the Pharisees {G5330} also {G2532} asked {G2065} him {G846} how {G4459} he had received his sight {G308}.{G1161} He said {G2036} unto them {G846}, He put {G2007} clay {G4081} upon {G1909} mine {G3450} eyes {G3788}, and {G2532} I washed {G3538}, and {G2532} do see {G991}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So the P’rushim asked him again how he had become able to see; and he told them, “He put mud on my eyes, then I washed, and now I can see.”

Berean Standard Bible

So the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. The man answered, “He put mud on my eyes, and I washed, and now I can see.”

American Standard Version

Again therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he received his sight. And he said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and I see.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 9:15 captures a pivotal moment in the interrogation of the man born blind by the Pharisees, who, for a second time, press him on the method of his healing. The verse powerfully contrasts the man's straightforward, factual testimony—detailing Jesus's action, his own obedience, and the immediate result—with the religious leaders' persistent skepticism and their relentless attempts to undermine the undeniable miracle performed by Jesus.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the larger narrative of [John 9](/john/9 "John 9 - Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind"), which details Jesus's miraculous healing of a man blind from birth. The preceding verses ([John 9:1-7](/john/9-1-7 "Jesus Heals the Man Born Blind")) describe Jesus applying mud made with His saliva to the man's eyes and instructing him to wash in the Pool of Siloam, resulting in his sight. Following this, the man's neighbors and those who knew him previously engage in a discussion about his identity and the nature of his healing ([John 9:8-12](/john/9-8-12 "Neighbors Discuss the Healed Man")). The man is then brought before the Pharisees ([John 9:13](/john/9-13 "The Man Brought Before the Pharisees")), who initiate their first round of questioning in [John 9:14](/john/9-14 "Pharisees Question the Man"). [John 9:15](/john/9-15 "John 9:15 - The Man Born Blind Testifies") marks a renewed interrogation, signaled by the word "again," indicating the Pharisees' dissatisfaction with the initial answers and their determination to find a flaw in the man's testimony or in Jesus's actions, especially given that the healing occurred on the Sabbath.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The central conflict in [John 9](/john/9 "John 9 - Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind") revolves around the Sabbath law. Jewish tradition, particularly as interpreted by the Pharisees, had developed numerous regulations concerning what was permissible on the Sabbath. Healing, especially through actions like making mud (which could be construed as kneading or working) and applying it, was considered a violation of these strict Sabbath prohibitions. The Pharisees, as guardians of the law, were not primarily concerned with the man's newfound sight, but with the perceived transgression of the Sabbath by Jesus. Their repeated questioning reflects their legalistic mindset and their desire to uphold their interpretation of the law, even at the expense of acknowledging a divine miracle. This context highlights the clash between Jesus's compassionate, life-giving ministry and the rigid, often unmerciful, legalism of the religious establishment.
* **Key Themes:** [John 9:15](/john/9-15 "John 9:15 - The Man Born Blind Testifies") contributes significantly to several key themes in John's Gospel. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **spiritual blindness versus physical sight**. While the man born blind gains physical sight, the Pharisees, who claim to see and interpret God's law, demonstrate profound spiritual blindness by refusing to acknowledge Jesus's divine power and identity ([John 9:39-41](/john/9-39-41 "Jesus on Spiritual Blindness")). Secondly, the verse highlights the **undeniable power and authority of Jesus**. Despite the Pharisees' attempts to discredit it, the miracle is an irrefutable fact, testifying to Jesus's unique relationship with God ([John 10:38](/john/10-38 "Jesus' Works Testify of Him")). Thirdly, it showcases the **power of simple, personal testimony** in the face of skepticism and opposition. The man's direct account stands in stark contrast to the Pharisees' convoluted questioning, emphasizing that truth often needs no elaborate defense. This narrative also continues the broader Johannine theme of **conflict between Jesus and the Jewish religious authorities**, a recurring motif throughout the Gospel (e.g., [John 5:16-18](/john/5-16-18 "Pharisees Persecute Jesus for Healing on the Sabbath")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **again (Greek, _pálin'_):** This adverb highlights the repetitive nature of the Pharisees' inquiry. It signifies that this is not their first question but a renewed, persistent line of interrogation. The repetition underscores their deep-seated skepticism and their determination to find an inconsistency in the man's testimony or a legal basis to condemn Jesus for His actions on the Sabbath, rather than a genuine desire to understand the miraculous event.
* **asked (Greek, _erōtáō'_):** While this word can simply mean "to ask," in this context, especially with the preceding "again," it carries the implication of an interrogation or a pressing inquiry, rather than a simple question seeking information. The Pharisees are not seeking truth but rather a means to incriminate Jesus and dismiss the miracle.
* **put (Greek, _epitíthēmi'_):** This verb describes the action Jesus took—to "impose" or "lay upon." The man's testimony directly attributes the initial, causative action to Jesus. It is a simple, factual statement of what Jesus did, emphasizing the tangible and direct involvement of Jesus in the healing process. This word grounds the miraculous event in a concrete action, making the man's testimony powerfully direct.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight."**: This clause immediately establishes the adversarial nature of the encounter. The inclusion of "again" signals a prior interrogation, underscoring the Pharisees' relentless skepticism and their refusal to accept the man's initial testimony. Their question, "how he had received his sight," is not a genuine inquiry into the mechanics of the miracle but a veiled attempt to expose a violation of the Sabbath law or to find a reason to discredit Jesus. It reveals their spiritual blindness—they are more concerned with legalistic adherence than with the undeniable evidence of God's power.
* **"He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see."**: This is the man's concise, unembellished, and irrefutable testimony. It is a three-part statement of fact:
* **"He put clay upon mine eyes"**: This identifies Jesus as the agent of the miracle and describes His specific action. It is a direct, unambiguous attribution of the healing to Jesus.
* **"and I washed"**: This describes the man's act of obedience to Jesus's command. It highlights his participation in the process, not as the source of healing, but as one who followed instructions.
* **"and do see"**: This is the undeniable, present reality and the conclusive evidence of the miracle. The simple, declarative "do see" (present tense) powerfully conveys the immediate and ongoing reality of his sight, leaving no room for doubt about the outcome. This simple statement stands in stark contrast to the complex, legalistic inquiries of the Pharisees.

#### Literary Devices
The passage makes effective use of several literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as the physically blind man gains sight and offers a clear testimony, while the "seeing" religious leaders remain spiritually blind, unable or unwilling to perceive the divine truth before them. This creates a powerful **contrast** between the man's simple, direct truth and the Pharisees' convoluted, legalistic questioning and stubborn unbelief. The **repetition** of the interrogation, indicated by "again" (Greek: _pálin_), serves to emphasize the Pharisees' persistent disbelief and their determined efforts to find fault, highlighting their spiritual obstinacy. The man's concise, three-part statement ("He put clay... I washed... I see") also functions as a form of **climax** in his testimony, building from the action of Jesus to his own obedience, culminating in the undeniable reality of his sight.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 9:15 serves as a powerful illustration of the clash between divine truth and human resistance. The man's simple, factual testimony stands as an irrefutable witness to Jesus's miraculous power and authority, which transcends the rigid boundaries of human law and religious tradition. Theologically, this verse underscores that God's work, particularly through Jesus, often operates outside of human expectations and religious frameworks, challenging those who prioritize legalism over compassion and divine revelation. The Pharisees' repeated questioning reveals their spiritual blindness, emphasizing that true sight is not merely physical, but a spiritual discernment of God's presence and power in Christ. This conflict foreshadows the broader rejection of Jesus by the religious establishment, even in the face of undeniable evidence, a theme central to John's Gospel.

* [John 3:19](/john/3-19 "John 3:19 - Light Has Come into the World")
* [Acts 4:19-20](/acts/4-19-20 "Acts 4:19-20 - Peter and John's Bold Testimony")
* [1 Peter 3:15](/1_peter/3-15 "1 Peter 3:15 - Always Be Prepared to Give an Answer")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The man born blind, in [John 9:15](/john/9-15 "John 9:15 - The Man Born Blind Testifies"), offers a profound lesson for believers today. His testimony is not a theological dissertation or a complex defense, but a simple, direct account of what Jesus did for him. This reminds us of the power of personal testimony: sharing what Christ has done in our lives is often the most compelling and irrefutable witness we can offer, even to the most skeptical audiences. Like the man, we may face scrutiny, doubt, or even opposition when we speak of God's work in our lives. This passage encourages steadfastness and courage in the face of such challenges, urging us to hold fast to the simple truth of the Gospel. It also prompts us to examine our own hearts: are we, like the Pharisees, sometimes so entrenched in our own interpretations or expectations that we miss the clear evidence of God's work, or are we open to the simple, transformative power of Christ?

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the man's simple testimony challenge my own tendency to overcomplicate faith or spiritual experiences?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be experiencing spiritual blindness, similar to the Pharisees, preventing me from seeing God's clear work?**
* **How can I better prepare to give a clear and simple account of what Christ has done for me, even when facing skepticism or opposition?**

### FAQ
**Why did the Pharisees ask "again" how the man received his sight?**

Answer: The Pharisees asked "again" primarily because they were unwilling to accept the miracle as a genuine act of God, especially since it occurred on the Sabbath. Their repeated questioning, indicated by the Greek word _pálin_ (again), was not driven by a desire for truth but by a determination to find inconsistencies in the man's story or to expose a violation of their strict Sabbath laws by Jesus. They sought to discredit Jesus and the miracle, viewing it as a challenge to their authority and interpretation of the law, rather than a divine act of compassion. This is a recurring theme in John's Gospel, where the religious leaders often seek to trap Jesus (e.g., [John 8:6](/john/8-6 "Pharisees Try to Trap Jesus")).

**What is the significance of the man's simple answer, "He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see"?**

Answer: The man's simple, direct answer is profoundly significant for several reasons. Firstly, it highlights the undeniable reality of the miracle; his sight is a present, irrefutable fact that no amount of interrogation can change. Secondly, it contrasts sharply with the Pharisees' complex, legalistic questioning and their spiritual blindness. His unembellished testimony emphasizes that truth, especially divine truth, is often straightforward and needs no elaborate defense. Thirdly, it underscores the power of personal testimony. The man simply states what Jesus did for him and the result, providing a powerful witness that points directly to the Healer. This directness is a testament to the transformative power of encountering Jesus, which speaks more loudly than any argument, as seen in the man's later confession of faith in [John 9:38](/john/9-38 "The Man Worships Jesus").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The physical healing of the man born blind in [John 9:15](/john/9-15 "John 9:15 - The Man Born Blind Testifies") serves as a powerful foreshadowing of Christ's greater work of spiritual healing and enlightenment. Jesus, who declared Himself to be the "[light of the world](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World")" just prior to this miracle, demonstrates His divine authority not only over physical ailments but also over the spiritual darkness that afflicts humanity. The man's journey from physical blindness to sight, and ultimately to spiritual insight and worship of Jesus ([John 9:38](/john/9-38 "The Man Worships Jesus")), mirrors the journey of all who come to faith in Christ. He is the one who opens the eyes of the spiritually blind, bringing them out of darkness into His marvelous light ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - Called Out of Darkness into His Light")). The Pharisees' spiritual blindness, despite their physical sight and religious knowledge, illustrates that true vision comes only through recognizing and receiving Christ. Jesus's actions here, and the opposition He faces, underscore His mission to bring judgment—spiritual sight to those who acknowledge their need, and greater darkness to those who claim to see but reject Him ([John 9:39-41](/john/9-39-41 "Jesus on Spiritual Blindness")). Ultimately, the man's simple confession points to Jesus as the one who alone can grant true, eternal sight, a gift made possible through His ultimate sacrifice and resurrection, which opened the eyes of humanity to God's saving grace ([Ephesians 1:18](/ephesians/1-18 "Ephesians 1:18 - Eyes of Your Understanding Enlightened")).

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 9:10

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

John 9:11

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.

John 9:26

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

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?