John 9:18

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.

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}.

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.

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

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

Context

John 9:18 is part of the extensive narrative detailing Jesus' miraculous healing of a man born blind. This event, described in John 9:1-7, immediately sparked controversy among the Jewish religious leaders, particularly because the healing occurred on the Sabbath. Rather than rejoicing in the man's newfound sight, their primary concern was whether Jesus had violated their interpretation of the Sabbath law, leading to intense scrutiny of both the healed man and the miracle itself.

Key Themes

  • Stubborn Disbelief: The verse highlights the profound skepticism and unwillingness of the Jewish authorities to accept undeniable evidence of Jesus' divine power. Despite the man's testimony and the clear physical transformation, their opposition to Jesus led them to actively seek ways to discredit the miracle.
  • Quest for Verification (and Discreditation): Unable to deny the man's sight directly, they resorted to calling his parents. This act was not born of genuine curiosity or a desire to affirm the truth, but rather an attempt to find a loophole or a reason to invalidate the healing, thereby undermining Jesus' authority.
  • Spiritual Blindness vs. Physical Sight: This passage powerfully contrasts the physical healing of the man with the profound spiritual blindness of those who refused to believe. While the man gained physical sight, the religious leaders remained spiritually blind to the truth about Jesus, a theme Jesus addresses directly later in John 9:39.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the Jews" (Greek: hoi Ioudaioi) in John's Gospel often refers specifically to the religious leaders and authorities in Jerusalem who were hostile to Jesus, rather than the entire Jewish populace. Their disbelief (from the Greek episteusan, related to pisteuo, "to believe") was not merely a lack of information, but an active refusal to accept the truth presented before them, rooted in their existing prejudices and opposition to Jesus.

Practical Application

John 9:18 serves as a timeless reminder that truth, especially divine truth, can be met with profound resistance when it challenges established beliefs, traditions, or power structures. It prompts us to examine our own hearts: are we open to evidence and truth, even when it's uncomfortable or requires us to change our perspectives? The story encourages believers to stand firm in their witness, much like the formerly blind man, even in the face of skepticism and opposition, trusting in the undeniable work of God.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified 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.
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