And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?
And {G2532} his {G846} disciples {G3101} asked {G2065} him {G846}, saying {G3004}, Master {G4461}, who {G5101} did sin {G264}, this man {G3778}, or {G2228} his {G846} parents {G1118}, that {G2443} he was born {G1080} blind {G5185}?
His talmidim asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned — this man or his parents — to cause him to be born blind?”
and His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
And his disciples asked him, saying, Rabbi, who sinned, this man, or his parents, that he should be born blind?
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Luke 13:2
And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? -
John 9:34
They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out. -
Acts 28:4
And when the barbarians saw the [venomous] beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live. -
Exodus 20:5
Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God [am] a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation] of them that hate me; -
Matthew 16:14
And they said, Some [say that thou art] John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. -
Matthew 23:7
And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.
In John 9:2, the disciples pose a common theological question of their time to Jesus, reflecting a widespread belief that physical ailments, especially severe ones like congenital blindness, were a direct consequence of specific sin. Their inquiry reveals a prevailing mindset linking suffering directly to either the individual's own sin or the sin of their parents.
Context
This verse immediately follows Jesus' powerful declaration of His divine nature in John 8:58, which led to an attempt by the Jewish leaders to stone Him. Jesus then discreetly leaves the Temple area. As He walks, He encounters a man who has been blind from birth. The disciples' question is not merely curious; it stems from a deeply ingrained cultural and religious understanding. The Mosaic Law often connected obedience with blessing and disobedience with curses, leading to a popular (though often misapplied) interpretation that all suffering indicated specific sin. This sets the stage for Jesus to correct this theological error and unveil a higher purpose for the man's condition, as seen in John 9:3.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Greek word for "Master" is didaskale (διδάσκαλε), a respectful term meaning "teacher" or "instructor." The phrase "born blind" (ἐκ γενετῆς τυφλός - ek genetēs typhlos) emphasizes the congenital nature of the man's condition, making the disciples' question about sin even more pointed—how could someone sin before birth?
Practical Application
This verse challenges us to re-examine our own assumptions about suffering. Like the disciples, we might be tempted to attribute misfortune or illness directly to sin, either in ourselves or in others. However, Jesus' response in the following verse teaches us that suffering is not always a direct consequence of individual wrongdoing. Instead, it can be an opportunity for God's power and glory to be revealed. This calls for compassion rather than judgment when encountering those who suffer, and encourages us to seek God's purpose in all circumstances, recognizing that God works all things for the good of those who love Him.