John 9:17

KJV

They say unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, that he hath opened thine eyes? He said, He is a prophet.

KJV (with Strong's)

They say {G3004} unto the blind man {G5185} again {G3825}, What {G5101} sayest {G3004} thou {G4771} of {G4012} him {G846}, that {G3754} he hath opened {G455} thine {G4675} eyes {G3788}? He said {G2036},{G3754}{G1161} He is {G2076} a prophet {G4396}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So once more they spoke to the blind man: “Since you’re the one whose eyes he opened, what do you say about him?” He replied: “He is a prophet.”

Berean Standard Bible

So once again they asked the man who had been blind, “What do you say about Him, since it was your eyes He opened?” “He is a prophet,” the man replied.

American Standard Version

They say therefore unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, in that he opened thine eyes? And he said, He is a prophet.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 9:17 captures a pivotal moment in the escalating conflict between the Jewish religious authorities and the man born blind, whom Jesus had miraculously healed. Having already interrogated his parents and summoned the man once, the Pharisees press him "again" for his personal assessment of the healer. Under intense scrutiny, the man, whose physical sight has just been restored, boldly declares his conviction: "He is a prophet." This simple yet profound statement marks a significant step in his journey of faith and stands in stark contrast to the spiritual blindness of his interrogators.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the broader narrative of [John 9](/john/9 "John 9 - The Healing of the Man Born Blind"), which meticulously details Jesus' healing of a man born blind from birth. The miracle, performed on the Sabbath (as described in [John 9:14](/john/9-14 "The Sabbath Controversy")), immediately sparks controversy among the Jewish leaders, particularly the Pharisees, who view it as a violation of their interpretation of the Law. The narrative unfolds through a series of interrogations: first, the neighbors question the healed man ([John 9:8-12](/john/9-8-12 "The Neighbors Question the Healed Man")), then the Pharisees question him ([John 9:13-17](/john/9-13-17 "The Pharisees Question the Healed Man")), followed by his parents ([John 9:18-23](/john/9-18-23 "The Parents Are Questioned")), and finally, the man is summoned "again" for a second, more intense interrogation by the Pharisees, leading to the exchange in John 9:17. This repeated questioning highlights the authorities' desperation to discredit Jesus and the undeniable nature of the miracle.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Jerusalem, a city under Roman occupation, but where Jewish religious law held significant sway over daily life. The Pharisees were a prominent Jewish sect known for their strict adherence to the Mosaic Law and their oral traditions. Their primary concern in this narrative is the Sabbath, which they believed Jesus had violated by performing a healing work. Healing was generally permissible on the Sabbath only if a life was in immediate danger, which was not the case for a man born blind. Furthermore, the concept of a "prophet" was deeply ingrained in Jewish thought, stemming from figures like Moses and Elijah. A true prophet was understood to be a divine messenger, speaking God's words and performing signs by God's power. To declare someone a prophet was to acknowledge their divine commission, a dangerous admission for the man given the Pharisees' hostility toward Jesus and their power to excommunicate individuals from the synagogue ([John 9:22](/john/9-22 "The Threat of Excommunication")).
* **Key Themes:** The narrative in [John 9](/john/9 "John 9 - Spiritual and Physical Sight") is rich with theological themes. One prominent theme is **Progressive Revelation and Confession**, as the man's understanding of Jesus evolves from "a man called Jesus" ([John 9:11](/john/9-11 "The Man's Initial Description of Jesus")) to "a prophet" ([John 9:17](/john/9-17 "The Man Declares Jesus is a Prophet")), and ultimately to "Lord" and "Son of Man" ([John 9:35-38](/john/9-35-38 "The Man's Full Confession of Faith")). Another crucial theme is **Spiritual vs. Physical Sight**, where the physically blind man gains spiritual insight, while the physically seeing Pharisees remain spiritually blind to Jesus' true identity, despite overwhelming evidence. Jesus himself highlights this paradox later in the chapter ([John 9:39-41](/john/9-39-41 "Jesus on Spiritual Blindness and Judgment")). Finally, the **Power of Personal Testimony Amidst Hostility** is evident as the man, despite intimidation and threats, steadfastly testifies to his personal experience of healing, which serves as an irrefutable challenge to the authorities' skepticism and prejudice.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **blind man (Greek, _typhlós'_):** This term (G5185) refers to someone who is opaque, as if smoky, leading to the meaning of being physically or mentally blind. In [John 9](/john/9 "John 9 - The Man Born Blind"), the man's physical blindness is the starting point for the miracle, but the term also carries a powerful metaphorical weight, contrasting his initial physical darkness with the spiritual darkness of the Pharisees. His journey is one from literal blindness to spiritual illumination.
* **opened (Greek, _anoígō'_):** This verb (G455) means "to open up," literally or figuratively. Here, it describes the direct, miraculous action of Jesus in restoring the man's sight. The simplicity of the verb underscores the immediate and undeniable nature of the divine intervention, which the Pharisees cannot refute, only question its source and legitimacy.
* **prophet (Greek, _prophḗtēs'_):** This noun (G4396) denotes a "foreteller" or, more broadly, an "inspired speaker." In the Jewish context, a prophet was not merely someone who predicted the future, but primarily one who spoke on behalf of God, revealing His will and truth to the people. By declaring Jesus a prophet, the man acknowledges Jesus as an agent of God, endowed with divine authority and power, a significant and courageous theological assertion in the face of hostile questioning.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They say unto the blind man again,"**: This opening phrase immediately establishes the setting as a repeated interrogation, emphasizing the persistence and mounting pressure from the religious authorities. The use of "again" (G3825, _pálin_) highlights their inability to accept the miracle and their determination to find a flaw in the testimony or the healer.
* **"What sayest thou of him, that he hath opened thine eyes?"**: This is a loaded question. While it implicitly acknowledges the undeniable fact of the healing ("he hath opened thine eyes"), the phrasing "What sayest thou of him" seeks to elicit a judgment or confession from the man that could be used against Jesus. The Pharisees are not genuinely seeking truth but rather a basis for accusation.
* **"He said, He is a prophet."**: The man's response is simple, direct, and profoundly significant. Despite the pressure, he does not waver from his testimony or retract the miracle. His declaration that Jesus "is a prophet" (G4396, _prophḗtēs_) indicates a growing understanding and conviction about Jesus' divine commission and authority, a crucial step on his path to fully recognizing Jesus as the Messiah.

#### Literary Devices
John's Gospel masterfully employs several literary devices in this passage. **Irony** is particularly prominent, as the man who was physically blind now possesses clearer spiritual insight than the sighted religious leaders. They claim to see and understand God's law, yet they are blind to the divine work unfolding before them. **Contrast** is also central, highlighting the stark difference between the man's simple, honest testimony based on personal experience and the Pharisees' convoluted, legalistic questioning driven by prejudice and a desire to maintain their authority. The entire chapter functions as a dramatic **Dialogue**, with a series of interrogations and responses that progressively reveal character, escalate the conflict between Jesus and the authorities, and deepen the reader's understanding of Jesus' identity and the nature of faith.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The man's declaration of Jesus as a "prophet" in [John 9:17](/john/9-17 "The Man Declares Jesus is a Prophet") is a pivotal theological moment, representing a significant step in his journey of faith and understanding. In Jewish tradition, a prophet was more than a foreteller of future events; they were God's spokespersons, revealing His will and performing signs by His power. By acknowledging Jesus as a prophet, the man implicitly recognizes Jesus' divine authority and the divine origin of his healing power. This confession, made under duress, demonstrates the transformative power of encountering Jesus and the courage required to confess truth in the face of opposition. It also sets the stage for the man's deeper understanding of Jesus as the Son of God, contrasting with the willful spiritual blindness of the religious leaders who refuse to acknowledge the obvious work of God.

* [Deuteronomy 18:15](/deuteronomy/18-15 "Moses' Prophecy of a Coming Prophet"): Moses prophesied that God would raise up a prophet like him from among the people, a prophecy that many Jews believed Jesus fulfilled.
* [Luke 7:16](/luke/7-16 "The People's Acknowledgment of Jesus as a Great Prophet"): After Jesus raises the widow's son, the crowd declares, "A great prophet has risen among us!" showing a common perception of Jesus.
* [Matthew 13:13](/matthew/13-13 "Jesus Explains Spiritual Blindness"): Jesus explains that he speaks in parables so that "seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand," directly addressing the theme of spiritual blindness.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The narrative in [John 9](/john/9 "John 9 - The Man Born Blind") and specifically the man's courageous confession in [John 9:17](/john/9-17 "The Man Declares Jesus is a Prophet") offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. His journey from physical blindness to spiritual clarity, culminating in a bold declaration of faith despite intense pressure, serves as a powerful model. We are reminded that authentic faith often begins with a personal encounter with Jesus' transformative power, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual. Like the man born blind, our understanding of Jesus may grow incrementally, from seeing Him as a remarkable teacher or healer to recognizing Him as Lord and Savior. This passage challenges us to examine our own spiritual sight: are we genuinely open to seeing God's work in unexpected ways and through unconventional means, or do our preconceived notions, traditions, or prejudices blind us to His truth, much like the Pharisees? It also calls us to cultivate the courage to confess our faith, even when it means standing against popular opinion or facing opposition.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the man's courageous confession in the face of hostility challenge us to speak truthfully about Jesus, even when it is difficult or unpopular?**
* **In what ways might we, like the Pharisees, be spiritually blind to God's work in our lives or in the world around us, perhaps due to our own biases or rigid interpretations?**
* **How has your own understanding of Jesus evolved, much like the blind man's, from initial recognition of His power to a deeper, more comprehensive faith?**

### FAQ
**Why were the Pharisees so intent on questioning the man born blind "again"?**

Answer: The Pharisees were desperate to discredit Jesus and the miracle He performed. The healing of a man born blind was an undeniable sign of divine power, and performing it on the Sabbath challenged their authority and interpretation of the Law. By questioning the man repeatedly, they hoped to find inconsistencies in his story, prove the miracle was a hoax, or coerce him into denying Jesus' divine commission, thereby protecting their own religious and social standing. Their intent was not to ascertain the truth but to find grounds for accusation against Jesus.

**What is the significance of the man calling Jesus a "prophet" at this stage of his understanding?**

Answer: The man's declaration of Jesus as a "prophet" is highly significant. In Jewish tradition, a prophet was a divinely appointed messenger who spoke God's words and performed signs by God's power. It was a step beyond simply calling Jesus "a man" ([John 9:11](/john/9-11 "The Man's Initial Description of Jesus")) and indicated a growing recognition of Jesus' unique relationship with God and His divine authority. While not yet a full confession of Jesus as the Messiah or Son of God, it was a profound and courageous admission, acknowledging Jesus' legitimate divine commission and setting the stage for his ultimate confession of faith later in the chapter ([John 9:35-38](/john/9-35-38 "The Man's Full Confession of Faith")). It demonstrates that even a partial understanding of Jesus can lead to a powerful testimony.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The man's declaration of Jesus as a "prophet" in [John 9:17](/john/9-17 "The Man Declares Jesus is a Prophet") foreshadows Jesus' ultimate identity and role as the supreme revelation of God. While a prophet speaks *for* God, Jesus is the very Word of God made flesh ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "The Word Became Flesh")), the one through whom God has spoken His final and complete revelation ([Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1-2 "God's Final Revelation in His Son")). He is not merely a messenger but the message itself, embodying the truth that He proclaims ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). The Old Testament looked forward to a prophet like Moses ([Deuteronomy 18:15](/deuteronomy/18-15 "Moses' Prophecy of a Coming Prophet")), and the New Testament affirms that Jesus fulfills this expectation, not just as a prophet, but as the Son of God who perfectly reveals the Father ([John 1:18](/john/1-18 "No One Has Seen God, But Jesus Has Revealed Him")). The man's initial, Spirit-led recognition of Jesus as a prophet is a crucial step towards understanding Him as the Christ, the one who brings true spiritual sight and eternal life to all who believe ([John 8:12](/john/8-12 "Jesus as the Light of the World")).

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 6:14

Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.

Acts 3:22

For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.

Acts 3:26

Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.

John 4:19

The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.

Matthew 21:11

And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.

Luke 24:19

And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:

Acts 2:22

Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: