John 9:18

KJV

But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G3767} the Jews {G2453} did {G4100} not {G3756} believe {G4100} concerning {G4012} him {G846}, that {G3754} he had been {G2258} blind {G5185}, and {G2532} received his sight {G308}, until {G2193}{G3755} they called {G5455} the parents {G1118} of him {G846} that had received his sight {G308}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The Judeans, however, were unwilling to believe that he had formerly been blind, but now could see, until they had summoned the man’s parents.

Berean Standard Bible

The Jews still did not believe that the man had been blind and had received his sight until they summoned his parents

American Standard Version

The Jews therefore did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and had received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
The entrenched disbelief of the Jewish authorities regarding the miraculous healing of the man born blind. Despite the undeniable evidence of his restored sight, their prejudice against Jesus led them to actively resist the truth, compelling them to interrogate the man's parents in a desperate attempt to discredit the miracle and invalidate Jesus' divine authority. This verse highlights the profound spiritual blindness of those who refused to acknowledge God's work through Christ.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the broader narrative of [John 9](/john/9 "John 9 - Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind"), which details one of Jesus' most significant public miracles: the healing of a man born blind. The preceding verses ([John 9:1-7](/john/9-1-7 "John 9:1-7 - Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind")) describe the actual healing, which Jesus performs by anointing the man's eyes with mud and instructing him to wash in the Pool of Siloam. Following this, the man's neighbors and others who knew him are astonished and begin questioning his identity ([John 9:8-12](/john/9-8-12 "John 9:8-12 - The Neighbors' Questions")). The controversy escalates as the man is brought before the Pharisees ([John 9:13-17](/john/9-13-17 "John 9:13-17 - The Pharisees Interrogate the Man")), who are more concerned with the Sabbath violation (Jesus healed on the Sabbath) than with the miracle itself. [John 9:18](/john/9-18 "John 9:18 - The Jews' Disbelief") marks a critical turning point where the authorities, unable to deny the man's sight, shift their focus to his parents, seeking to find any grounds for discrediting the miracle.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Jerusalem, a city under Roman occupation but governed by Jewish religious laws and traditions. The "Jews" in John's Gospel often refers specifically to the religious establishment in Jerusalem, particularly the Sanhedrin and the Pharisees, who represented the dominant religious and political authority. Their concern over Jesus' healing on the Sabbath was rooted in their strict interpretation of Mosaic Law, which prohibited work on the Sabbath. Healing was considered "work" by their rabbinic traditions. This context reveals a deep-seated antagonism between Jesus and these leaders, who perceived Him as a threat to their authority and established order. Calling the parents was a legalistic maneuver, likely to ascertain if the man was indeed born blind, as a congenital condition would make the miracle even more undeniable, thus increasing the perceived threat of Jesus. Under Jewish law, parental testimony was highly valued.

* **Key Themes:** [John 9:18](/john/9-18 "John 9:18 - The Jews' Disbelief") powerfully contributes to several key themes woven throughout [John 9](/john/9 "John 9 - Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind") and the broader Gospel. Firstly, it highlights the stark **contrast between physical sight and spiritual blindness**. While the man born blind gains physical sight, the religious leaders, despite their intellectual and spiritual claims, remain profoundly blind to the truth about Jesus, refusing to acknowledge the divine power at work. Secondly, it underscores the theme of **truth versus prejudice and unbelief**. The authorities are not seeking truth but rather confirmation of their pre-existing biases against Jesus, actively resisting undeniable evidence. This willful ignorance is a recurring motif in John, as seen in passages like [John 1:11](/john/1-11 "John 1:11 - He Came to His Own") and [John 5:40](/john/5-40 "John 5:40 - Unwillingness to Come to Christ"). Finally, the verse foreshadows the **escalating conflict between Jesus and the Jewish leadership**, which will ultimately lead to His crucifixion. Their refusal to believe, even in the face of such a clear sign, demonstrates their hardened hearts, a theme Jesus addresses directly in [John 9:39-41](/john/9-39-41 "John 9:39-41 - Jesus' Judgment on Spiritual Blindness").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Jews (Greek, _Ioudaîos'_):** From Ἰουδά (in the sense of Ἰούδας as a country); Judæan, i.e. belonging to Jehudah:--Jew(-ess), of Judæa. In John's Gospel, "the Jews" often refers specifically to the religious authorities in Jerusalem who were hostile to Jesus, rather than the entire Jewish populace. This term here denotes the ruling elite, particularly the Pharisees and members of the Sanhedrin, who were actively opposing Jesus.
* **believe (Greek, _pisteúō'_):** From πίστις; to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to Christ):--believe(-r), commit (to trust), put in trust with. The use of the negative "did not believe" indicates not merely a lack of information, but an active, willful refusal to accept the truth, despite compelling evidence. It implies a hardened heart and a deliberate rejection of Jesus' claims and miraculous power.
* **blind (Greek, _typhlós'_):** From, τυφόω; opaque (as if smoky), i.e. (by analogy) blind (physically or mentally):--blind. This word refers to the man's congenital physical condition, emphasizing the undeniable nature of the miracle. The irony is that those who were physically sighted were spiritually blind, while the physically blind man gained both physical and spiritual sight.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But the Jews did not believe concerning him":** This phrase immediately establishes the core conflict. The "Jews" here are the religious authorities, characterized by their active disbelief. Their lack of belief is not due to insufficient evidence, but a predetermined rejection of Jesus' identity and authority. They are unwilling to accept the testimony of the healed man or the clear evidence of the miracle.
* **"that he had been blind, and received his sight":** This clause states the undeniable facts that the Jewish leaders were attempting to refute. The man's congenital blindness and subsequent miraculous healing were public knowledge, yet the authorities chose to deny these realities. Their unbelief was so profound that it led them to question the very facts of the miracle, preferring their prejudice over truth.
* **"until they called the parents of him that had received his sight":** This action reveals the extent of their desperation and their legalistic approach. Unable to directly deny the man's sight, they resort to interrogating his parents, hoping to find a loophole or a reason to invalidate the miracle. This step underscores their determination to discredit Jesus, even if it meant intimidating innocent people.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Irony** and **Contrast**. The supreme irony lies in the fact that the religious leaders, who claimed to be the custodians of truth and spiritual insight, were profoundly blind to the clear evidence of God's work, while the physically blind man gained both physical and spiritual sight. This creates a stark **Contrast** between the spiritual illumination experienced by the healed man and the spiritual darkness and prejudice of the authorities. Their "disbelief" is not a passive state but an active, almost aggressive refusal to acknowledge the truth, highlighting their hardened hearts and the tragic consequences of willful ignorance in the face of divine revelation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[John 9:18](/john/9-18 "John 9:18 - The Jews' Disbelief") serves as a poignant illustration of the human tendency to reject divine truth when it challenges preconceived notions, personal comfort, or established power structures. The Jewish leaders' refusal to believe, despite compelling evidence, underscores a central theological theme in John's Gospel: the world's rejection of Christ, the Light of the World. Their spiritual blindness is a deliberate choice, prioritizing their traditions and authority over the manifest power of God. This passage reminds us that faith is not merely intellectual assent to facts, but a willingness to receive and respond to God's revelation, even when it demands a re-evaluation of our own understanding and position. It highlights the spiritual battle between light and darkness, truth and deception, and the profound cost of unbelief.

* [John 1:11](/john/1-11 "John 1:11 - He Came to His Own"): "He came unto his own, and his own received him not."
* [John 5:40](/john/5-40 "John 5:40 - Unwillingness to Come to Christ"): "And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life."
* [John 12:37](/john/12-37 "John 12:37 - Despite Many Signs, They Did Not Believe"): "But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[John 9:18](/john/9-18 "John 9:18 - The Jews' Disbelief") challenges us to examine our own hearts and minds for areas where we might be resistant to truth, especially divine truth, because it conflicts with our comfort zones, established beliefs, or personal biases. The Jewish leaders were so invested in their own interpretations of the law and their positions of power that they could not, or would not, see the miraculous work of God right before their eyes. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that spiritual blindness is often a choice, a refusal to acknowledge what is evident. For believers, it encourages perseverance in witness, even when faced with skepticism and outright rejection. It reminds us that our faith is not based on human approval but on the undeniable work of God in our lives and in the world. We are called to be open to God's revelation, to continually seek truth, and to allow the Holy Spirit to illuminate our understanding, rather than clinging to our own limited perspectives or traditions.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be spiritually blind, choosing to disbelieve or ignore truth that challenges my comfort or preconceived notions?**
* **How do I respond when undeniable evidence of God's work is presented, especially if it comes through unexpected or unconventional means?**
* **Am I more concerned with upholding my own traditions or interpretations than with embracing the clear revelation of God's power and truth?**
* **How can I cultivate a heart that is more open and receptive to God's truth, even when it is uncomfortable or demands change?**

### FAQ
**Who are "the Jews" in this context, and why is their disbelief significant?**

Answer: In [John 9:18](/john/9-18 "John 9:18 - The Jews' Disbelief") and often throughout John's Gospel, "the Jews" refers specifically to the religious authorities in Jerusalem—primarily the Pharisees and members of the Sanhedrin—who were hostile to Jesus. Their disbelief is significant because they were the spiritual leaders of the nation, expected to recognize and welcome the Messiah. Their active refusal to believe, despite witnessing or hearing about an undeniable miracle, highlights their profound spiritual blindness and hardened hearts. It underscores the theme that not all who are physically part of Israel are truly God's people in a spiritual sense, and that true faith is a matter of the heart, not just lineage or religious observance.

**Why was it important for them to call the parents of the healed man?**

Answer: The Jewish authorities called the parents as a legalistic maneuver to discredit the miracle and, by extension, Jesus. Their primary goal was not to confirm the miracle but to find a reason to deny it. They hoped the parents might contradict the man's testimony, perhaps by claiming he was not born blind, or that he was not their son, or that his sight was not truly restored. According to Jewish legal custom, parental testimony carried significant weight. If they could prove the man was not congenitally blind, the miracle's impact would be severely diminished, allowing them to dismiss Jesus' claims and actions. This interrogation reveals their desperation and their commitment to opposing Jesus at all costs.

**What does "did not believe" imply about their state of mind?**

Answer: The phrase "did not believe" (Greek: _ouk episteusan_) implies more than just a lack of information or understanding; it signifies a willful, active refusal to accept the truth. It suggests a pre-existing prejudice and a hardened heart that resisted the clear evidence presented before them. Their unbelief was not intellectual skepticism but a moral and spiritual rejection of Jesus' divine authority and the clear manifestation of God's power. They chose to remain in their spiritual darkness rather than acknowledge the light that had come into the world ([John 3:19](/john/3-19 "John 3:19 - Men Loved Darkness Rather Than Light")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[John 9:18](/john/9-18 "John 9:18 - The Jews' Disbelief") powerfully foreshadows the ultimate rejection of Jesus by those who claimed to be God's chosen people, yet refused to acknowledge Him as the promised Messiah. The spiritual blindness of the Jewish authorities, who clung to their traditions and power rather than embracing the Light of the World, stands in stark contrast to Jesus' mission. He came not only to give physical sight but, more profoundly, to open the eyes of the spiritually blind, as He declares in [John 9:5](/john/9-5 "John 9:5 - Jesus as the Light of the World"), "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." The refusal to believe in [John 9:18](/john/9-18 "John 9:18 - The Jews' Disbelief") is a microcosm of the world's rejection of Christ, a theme consistent with passages like [John 1:4-5](/john/1-4-5 "John 1:4-5 - The Light Shines in the Darkness"), where "the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not." Jesus is the one who brings true sight, not just to the physically afflicted, but to all who are willing to confess Him as Lord ([John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World")). The irony of the passage is resolved in Christ: He came to save those who acknowledge their blindness and receive His grace, while those who claim to see but reject Him remain in their sin and spiritual darkness ([John 9:39-41](/john/9-39-41 "John 9:39-41 - Jesus' Judgment on Spiritual Blindness")).

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

Hebrews 3:15

While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.

Hebrews 3:19

So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.

Luke 16:31

And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

John 5:44

How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that [cometh] from God only?

John 9:22

These [words] spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.

John 12:37

¶ But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:

John 12:40

He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with [their] eyes, nor understand with [their] heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.