They say unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, that he hath opened thine eyes? He said, He is a prophet.
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}.
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.”
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.
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.
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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:
John 9:17 captures a pivotal moment in the ongoing interrogation of the man born blind, following his miraculous healing by Jesus. The religious authorities, specifically the Pharisees, are pressing him for his opinion of Jesus, hoping to find grounds to discredit the miracle and Jesus himself.
Context
This verse is part of a longer narrative in John Chapter 9, which details Jesus' healing of a man born blind. The miracle occurs on the Sabbath, sparking controversy among the Jewish leaders who question its legitimacy and Jesus' authority. They had already interrogated the man's parents and then summoned the man himself for a second time, as indicated by "They say unto the blind man again." Their skepticism stemmed from their rigid interpretation of the law and their refusal to acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Greek word for "prophet" is prophētēs (προφήτης). In Jewish tradition, a prophet was not merely someone who foretold the future, but primarily one who spoke for God, revealing His will and truth. By calling Jesus a prophet, the man acknowledges that Jesus is an agent of God, endowed with divine power and authority, which is a powerful admission given the hostile environment.
Practical Application
This verse reminds us of the power of personal testimony. Like the man born blind, our own experiences with Christ can be powerful witnesses, often more compelling than theological arguments, especially to those who are skeptical. It also highlights the journey of faith; understanding and belief in Jesus often grow incrementally. Furthermore, it challenges us to consider if we, like the Pharisees, are sometimes spiritually blind to God's work because of our own prejudices or rigid interpretations, even when the evidence is clear.