John 9:20

KJV

His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind:

KJV (with Strong's)

His {G846} parents {G1118} answered {G611} them {G846} and {G2532} said {G2036}, We know {G1492} that {G3754} this {G3778} is {G2076} our {G2257} son {G5207}, and {G2532} that {G3754} he was born {G1080} blind {G5185}:

Complete Jewish Bible

His parents answered, “We know that this is our son and that he was born blind;

Berean Standard Bible

His parents answered, “We know he is our son, and we know he was born blind.

American Standard Version

His parents answered and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 9:20 presents the concise, yet crucial, testimony of the formerly blind man's parents to the interrogating Jewish leaders. Their declaration confirms two undeniable facts: the man's identity as their son and his congenital blindness. This statement serves as an objective verification of the miracle's context, directly countering the Pharisees' attempts to discredit Jesus' work by questioning the authenticity of the man's lifelong condition.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within the dramatic narrative of [John 9](/john/9 "John 9 - The Healing of the Man Born Blind"). Following Jesus' miraculous healing of the man blind from birth (John 9:1-7), the event sparks intense controversy among the Jewish authorities, particularly the Pharisees. They refuse to acknowledge a miracle performed on the Sabbath and repeatedly interrogate the healed man (John 9:13-17). Unable to shake his consistent testimony, and perhaps suspecting collusion, they summon his parents, hoping to find a discrepancy or a reason to invalidate the healing. The parents' testimony in John 9:20-21 is a pivotal moment, as it objectively confirms the man's identity and his lifelong blindness, thereby authenticating the miracle even from unwilling witnesses. This sets the stage for the parents' cautious retreat and the continued interrogation of their son.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Jerusalem, likely near the Temple, during a period of heightened tension between Jesus and the Jewish religious establishment. The Pharisees, as guardians of the Mosaic Law and oral traditions, were deeply concerned with Sabbath observance, viewing Jesus' healing as a violation. The threat of being "put out of the synagogue" (John 9:22) was a severe social and religious penalty. Excommunication meant ostracization from community life, worship, and social support, effectively making one a pariah. This fear profoundly influenced the parents' guarded response, as they prioritized their social standing and family security over a full endorsement of Jesus. The meticulous questioning reflects typical Jewish legal procedures, where multiple witnesses were often sought to establish facts.
* **Key Themes:** John 9:20 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the Gospel of John. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **verification and undeniable truth**. The parents' simple statement, despite their fear, objectively confirms the man's identity and his lifelong blindness, making the miracle's authenticity irrefutable even to its opponents. This reinforces the truth of Jesus' divine power, as seen in His ability to open eyes that had never seen, fulfilling prophecies like [Isaiah 42:7](/isaiah/42-7 "Isaiah 42:7 - Opening Blind Eyes"). Secondly, the verse highlights the theme of **witness and testimony**, both willing and unwilling. While the parents offer factual testimony, their subsequent fear (John 9:22) limits their willingness to testify about the Healer Himself, contrasting sharply with their son's growing boldness. Lastly, it introduces the theme of **fear versus faith**, illustrating the immense pressure individuals faced when confronted with Jesus' claims and works, forcing a choice between societal approval and acknowledging divine truth.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **answered (Greek, _apokrínomai_):** This verb signifies "to respond" or "to conclude for oneself." In this context, it highlights that the parents are not offering a spontaneous statement but are providing a direct reply to the Pharisees' interrogation. It suggests a measured, perhaps even reluctant, response under pressure, rather than an eager declaration.
* **know (Greek, _eídō_):** Derived from a verb meaning "to see," _eídō_ in the perfect tense implies a settled, certain knowledge gained through observation or experience. When the parents say "We know," they are asserting a direct, undeniable understanding of the facts—their son's identity and his congenital condition—that is beyond dispute or speculation.
* **blind (Greek, _typhlós_):** This adjective describes someone "opaque" or "blind," physically or mentally. Its use here, in conjunction with "born," emphasizes the congenital nature of the man's affliction. This was not a temporary or acquired condition, but a lifelong disability, which dramatically magnifies the scope and power of Jesus' miracle.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"His parents answered them and said,"**: This clause sets the scene, indicating that the parents are under interrogation by the Jewish authorities. Their "answer" is a direct response to specific questions, highlighting the formal and confrontational nature of the encounter. It also subtly introduces the element of external pressure influencing their words.
* **"We know that this is our son,"**: This is the first undeniable fact the parents assert. It verifies the identity of the healed man, confirming that he is indeed the individual born blind whom the Pharisees are investigating. This statement counters any potential claim that the healed man was an imposter or not the person they claimed to be.
* **"and that he was born blind:"**: This second declaration is equally crucial. It confirms the congenital nature of his blindness, establishing the severity and permanence of his former condition. This fact is vital for validating the magnitude of Jesus' miracle, as it demonstrates His power to reverse a lifelong, seemingly incurable disability, rather than merely a temporary ailment.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices. **Testimony** is central, as the parents' words serve as a crucial, albeit reluctant, witness to the facts surrounding the miracle. Their direct, declarative statements ("We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind") function as irrefutable evidence, even from those who are not overtly supportive of Jesus. There is also an element of **Irony** present; the religious leaders, who claim to be seekers of truth, are forced to hear the truth from the very people they are trying to intimidate, yet they remain stubbornly unwilling to accept its implications regarding Jesus' identity. Finally, the parents' cautious wording and the context of their fear (revealed in the subsequent verses) create a subtle **Foreshadowing** of the challenges and persecution that those associated with Jesus will face, highlighting the cost of discipleship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 9:20 serves as a powerful testament to the objective reality of Jesus' miracles, asserting facts that even His adversaries cannot deny. The parents' unwilling confirmation of their son's identity and congenital blindness underscores the irrefutable nature of God's work, which often speaks for itself despite human skepticism, fear, or opposition. This verse highlights the tension between observable truth and hardened hearts, revealing how prejudice can blind even those who claim to see. The parents' fear of social repercussions (being "put out of the synagogue") also connects to the broader theme of the cost of discipleship, foreshadowing the sacrifices required to acknowledge and follow Christ in a hostile world.

* [John 9:22](/john/9-22 "John 9:22 - Fear of Expulsion from the Synagogue")
* [Isaiah 42:7](/isaiah/42-7 "Isaiah 42:7 - Opening Blind Eyes")
* [Matthew 10:32-33](/matthew/10-32-33 "Matthew 10:32-33 - Confessing Christ Before Men")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 9:20 challenges us to consider our own willingness to stand for truth, especially when it comes at a personal cost. The parents, while confirming undeniable facts, stopped short of openly affirming Jesus as the healer, driven by the understandable fear of social and religious ostracization. This prompts us to examine whether we allow fear of disapproval, professional repercussions, or social isolation to silence our testimony about what God has done in our lives or in the world. The verifiable nature of Jesus' miracles, even by those who sought to deny them, should strengthen our faith in His power and authority. Ultimately, this verse reminds us that while human testimony can be swayed by fear, God's work is self-authenticating, calling us to courageously align ourselves with His revealed truth.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life might fear of social or professional repercussions prevent you from speaking the truth about Christ?**
* **How does the parents' cautious testimony encourage you to be bolder in your own witness, even when it is uncomfortable?**
* **What "undeniable facts" about God's work in the world or in your life are you called to affirm, even if others resist them?**

### FAQ

**Why were the man's parents called to testify by the Pharisees?**

Answer: The Pharisees called the parents to verify two crucial facts: first, that the healed man was indeed their son, confirming his identity; and second, that he was genuinely born blind, confirming the congenital nature of his condition. They were seeking to find a contradiction or a reason to discredit the miracle and, by extension, Jesus Himself, as they refused to believe a miracle could be performed by someone who violated their Sabbath laws.

**What is the significance of the phrase "born blind" in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "born blind" (Greek: _ek genetes typhlos_) is highly significant because it emphasizes the congenital and lifelong nature of the man's disability. This was not a temporary affliction or a recent injury, but a condition present from his very birth. This detail underscores the immense power of Jesus' miracle, demonstrating His divine ability to reverse a seemingly incurable, lifelong physical limitation, thereby distinguishing it from lesser healings and affirming His unique authority.

**Why did the parents give such a cautious and limited answer?**

Answer: The parents' cautious answer, confirming only their son's identity and congenital blindness, was driven by profound fear. As stated in [John 9:22](/john/9-22 "John 9:22 - Fear of Expulsion from the Synagogue"), the Jewish leaders had already agreed to "put out of the synagogue" anyone who confessed Jesus as the Christ. This threat of excommunication was a severe penalty, meaning social, religious, and economic ostracization. Their limited response reflects a desperate attempt to protect themselves and their family from this devastating consequence, prioritizing their community standing over a full endorsement of Jesus' messianic claims.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 9:20, while seemingly a simple factual declaration, profoundly points to Christ as the ultimate revealer of truth and the bringer of spiritual sight. The parents' unwilling verification of their son's physical blindness from birth serves to magnify the unique power of Jesus, who is the [Light of the World](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, Light of the World"). Just as He opened the eyes of the physically blind man, He comes to open the eyes of those spiritually blind, who are "born blind" to the truth of God due to sin (cf. [2 Corinthians 4:4](/2_corinthians/4-4 "2 Corinthians 4:4 - The God of This World Has Blinded the Minds")). The Pharisees, despite physically seeing the healed man and hearing the undeniable testimony, remained spiritually blind, refusing to acknowledge Jesus' divine authority. Christ's work, therefore, is not merely about physical healing but about illuminating the darkness of human hearts (cf. [John 1:5](/john/1-5 "John 1:5 - Light Shines in Darkness")). He is the one who gives true knowledge and understanding, enabling those who were once blind to truly "know" Him and see the glory of God in His face (cf. [2 Corinthians 4:6](/2_corinthians/4-6 "2 Corinthians 4:6 - God's Light in Our Hearts")). The parents' testimony, though limited by fear, unwittingly contributes to the overwhelming evidence that Jesus is indeed the promised Messiah, fulfilling prophecies that the blind would see (cf. [Matthew 11:5](/matthew/11-5 "Matthew 11:5 - The Blind See")).

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.