John 9:24

Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner.

Then {G3767} again {G1208}{G1537} called they {G5455} the man {G444} that {G3739} was {G2258} blind {G5185}, and {G2532} said {G2036} unto him {G846}, Give {G1325} God {G2316} the praise {G1391}: we {G2249} know {G1492} that {G3754} this {G3778} man {G444} is {G2076} a sinner {G268}.

So a second time they called the man who had been blind; and they said to him, “Swear to God that you will tell the truth! We know that this man is a sinner.”

So a second time they called for the man who had been blind and said, “Give glory to God! We know that this man is a sinner.”

So they called a second time the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give glory to God: we know that this man is a sinner.

Context of John 9:24

This verse is a pivotal moment within the larger narrative of Jesus healing a man born blind from birth (John 9:1-41). The religious authorities, specifically the Pharisees, are deeply troubled by this miracle, primarily because it occurred on the Sabbath. They had already interrogated the man's parents and found no grounds to deny the healing. Now, they call the man again, attempting to pressure him into discrediting Jesus. Their demand to "Give God the praise" is an adjuration, urging him to confess that Jesus is a sinner and therefore could not be from God, implying that if a miracle truly happened, God did it directly, not through Jesus. This highlights their deep-seated opposition to Jesus' authority and their spiritual blindness.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Spiritual Blindness vs. Physical Sight: Ironically, those who could physically see and claimed spiritual insight (the Pharisees) were spiritually blind to Jesus' true identity and divine power. The man who was physically blind gained not only sight but also spiritual understanding, eventually coming to believe in Jesus (John 9:38).
  • Misguided Piety and Hypocrisy: The Pharisees' demand to "Give God the praise" sounds pious, but it is deeply hypocritical. They are using a religious phrase to coerce a false confession and deny God's work through Jesus. Their concern was not truly for God's glory but for maintaining their own power and traditions.
  • The Accusation of "Sinner": The accusation, "we know that this man is a sinner," is a recurring charge against Jesus by His opponents throughout the Gospels. They believed that anyone who broke their interpretation of the Sabbath law, or who associated with outcasts, could not be from God. This reveals their legalistic worldview and their inability to recognize divine authority manifested outside their rigid rules.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Give God the praise" translates the Greek δοξαν δος τω θεω (doxan dos tō theō). This was a common Old Testament idiom used to implore someone to tell the whole truth, especially when they were suspected of concealing information or wrongdoing. It functions as a solemn oath, similar to saying, "Swear before God and tell the truth!" The Pharisees were essentially trying to force the man to confess that he was lying, or that Jesus was a fraud, thereby giving "glory to God" by revealing the supposed truth about Jesus as a "sinner."

Practical Application

John 9:24 serves as a powerful reminder that outward religious observance does not always equate to true spiritual understanding or genuine faith. We must be cautious of allowing our traditions or preconceived notions to blind us to God's work, especially when it challenges our comfort zones or established beliefs. True worship involves acknowledging God's power and grace, even when it manifests in unexpected ways or through those we might initially dismiss. This passage encourages us to seek genuine truth and to not let prejudice or fear prevent us from recognizing the divine.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Joshua 7:19

    And Joshua said unto Achan, My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the LORD God of Israel, and make confession unto him; and tell me now what thou hast done; hide [it] not from me.

  • John 9:16

    Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them.

  • John 19:6

    When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify [him], crucify [him]. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify [him]: for I find no fault in him.

  • 2 Corinthians 5:21

    For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

  • John 8:49

    Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me.

  • Luke 7:39

    Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw [it], he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman [this is] that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.

  • John 14:30

    Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.

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