John 9:26

KJV

Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes?

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {G1161} said they {G2036} to him {G846} again {G3825}, What {G5101} did he {G4160} to thee {G4671}? how {G4459} opened he {G455} thine {G4675} eyes {G3788}?

Complete Jewish Bible

So they said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?”

Berean Standard Bible

“What did He do to you?” they asked. “How did He open your eyes?”

American Standard Version

They said therefore unto him, What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 9:26 captures a pivotal moment in the escalating conflict between Jesus and the religious authorities, specifically the Pharisees. Despite having already heard the testimony of the man born blind and his parents, the Pharisees, driven by their entrenched skepticism and an inability to deny the undeniable miracle, recall the healed man for a second, more intense interrogation. Their repeated questions—"What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes?"—reveal their frustrated persistence, their desperate search for a contradiction, and their ultimate aim to discredit Jesus and His divine work.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the dramatic narrative of [John chapter 9](/john/9 "John 9 - Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind"), which unfolds the miraculous healing of a man born blind from birth. Jesus initiates the healing by applying mud to the man's eyes and instructing him to wash in the Pool of Siloam ([John 9:6-7](/john/9-6-7 "John 9:6-7 - The Healing Method")). This astonishing act immediately provokes controversy, primarily because it occurs on the Sabbath, directly challenging the Pharisees' rigid interpretation of the law. The man has already given his simple, factual testimony multiple times ([John 9:11](/john/9-11 "John 9:11 - The Man's First Testimony"), [John 9:15](/john/9-15 "John 9:15 - His Repeated Account")), and his parents have been questioned, confirming his birth blindness but refusing to implicate themselves further ([John 9:18-23](/john/9-18-23 "John 9:18-23 - Parents Questioned")). Despite this, the Pharisees call the man back for a second, more aggressive interrogation ([John 9:24](/john/9-24 "John 9:24 - Renewed Interrogation")). The repetition of their questions in [John 9:26](/john/9-26 "John 9:26 - Pharisees' Persistent Questions") underscores their desperation, their inability to refute the miracle, and their relentless pursuit of a reason to condemn Jesus.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The central historical tension in [John 9](/john/9 "John 9 - Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind") revolves around the Sabbath. Jewish law, particularly as interpreted by the Pharisees, prohibited "work" on the Sabbath, and healing was often considered such. Jesus' deliberate act of healing on this day was a direct challenge to their authority and legalistic system. Furthermore, blindness in ancient Jewish culture was often associated with sin (as seen in the disciples' initial question in [John 9:2](/john/9-2 "John 9:2 - Question about Sin and Blindness")), adding a theological layer to the miracle. The Pharisees, as the dominant religious authority, held significant power, including the ability to excommunicate individuals from the synagogue, a severe social and religious penalty that they explicitly threatened ([John 9:22](/john/9-22 "John 9:22 - Threat of Excommunication")) and later carried out ([John 9:34](/john/9-34 "John 9:34 - The Man Cast Out")). Their interrogation methods were often public and intimidating, designed to extract confessions or contradictions that would uphold their interpretation of the law and their institutional power.
* **Key Themes:** [John 9:26](/john/9-26 "John 9:26 - Pharisees' Persistent Questions") contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the Gospel of John. Firstly, it highlights the **persistence of unbelief** in the face of clear divine revelation. The Pharisees' repeated questioning, despite overwhelming evidence, underscores their entrenched spiritual blindness and their refusal to accept Jesus' divine authority. Secondly, it exemplifies the **conflict between divine light and human darkness**. Jesus, the "Light of the World" ([John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World")), brings sight, but those who claim to see (the Pharisees) remain in self-imposed darkness ([John 9:39-41](/john/9-39-41 "John 9:39-41 - Spiritual Blindness")). Thirdly, the verse showcases the **simplicity of truth versus religious complexity**. The man's testimony remains simple and direct, contrasting sharply with the Pharisees' convoluted theological arguments and legalistic interpretations, which ultimately obscure the plain truth of God's work. Finally, it underscores the **authority of Jesus** as the Son of God, whose power transcends human limitations and religious traditions, even as it challenges the established religious order.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **again (Greek, _pálin'_):** This adverb (G3825) signifies repetition, denoting "anew, once more, or furthermore." In [John 9:26](/john/9-26 "John 9:26 - Pharisees' Persistent Questions"), its use emphasizes the Pharisees' persistent, almost badgering, interrogation. They are not asking for new information but are attempting to wear down the man, hoping he will contradict himself or provide a detail they can exploit to discredit Jesus. It highlights their frustration and their inability to accept the simple truth of the miracle.
* **opened (Greek, _anoígō'_):** This verb (G455) means "to open up," literally or figuratively. It is the central action of the miracle and the core of the Pharisees' inquiry. While they are forced to acknowledge that the man's eyes were "opened," their focus is not on the divine power behind it, but on the "how" – the method. They seek to understand the process so they can categorize it as unlawful work on the Sabbath or a magical trick, rather than a divine act.
* **eyes (Greek, _ophthalmós'_):** This noun (G3788) refers to the physical organ of sight, but in John's Gospel, it carries significant figurative weight, often symbolizing spiritual perception or blindness. In [John 9:26](/john/9-26 "John 9:26 - Pharisees' Persistent Questions"), the literal opening of the man's physical eyes by Jesus stands in stark contrast to the spiritual blindness of the Pharisees, who, despite having physical sight, refuse to "see" or acknowledge the truth of Jesus' identity and power.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then said they to him again":** This phrase immediately signals the repetitive and insistent nature of the interrogation. The religious authorities are not genuinely seeking understanding; rather, they are attempting to find a flaw in the man's testimony or a legal loophole to condemn Jesus. Their "again" indicates a lack of satisfaction with his previous, straightforward answers.
* **"What did he to thee?":** This question focuses on the *action* Jesus performed. It's a broad inquiry, perhaps hoping for a description of a ritual or a specific "work" that could be deemed unlawful on the Sabbath, beyond the simple application of mud. They are probing for any detail that could be twisted into an accusation.
* **"how opened he thine eyes?":** This question narrows the focus to the *method* of the healing. The Pharisees are particularly interested in the process, not the outcome. They want to know the "how" so they can fit it into their legalistic framework and declare it a violation of their Sabbath laws or dismiss it as sorcery, rather than acknowledging it as a divine miracle.

#### Literary Devices
[John 9:26](/john/9-26 "John 9:26 - Pharisees' Persistent Questions") powerfully employs several literary devices. **Repetition** is evident in the word "again" and the rephrasing of the questions, highlighting the Pharisees' relentless and badgering interrogation tactics. This serves to underscore their stubborn unbelief and their inability to accept the clear evidence before them. **Irony** is a pervasive device throughout [John chapter 9](/john/9 "John 9 - Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind"), and it is particularly poignant here: the physically blind man, now seeing, possesses spiritual insight and clear understanding, while the "seeing" religious leaders are spiritually blind, unable or unwilling to perceive the divine truth of Jesus' identity and work. This creates a powerful **contrast** between the man's simple, direct truthfulness and the Pharisees' convoluted, legalistic attempts to obscure the miracle. The scene also functions as a **foreboding** element, foreshadowing the increasing hostility and ultimate rejection Jesus will face from the religious establishment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 9:26 profoundly illustrates the theological truth that unbelief is often a willful choice, even in the face of undeniable evidence of God's power. The Pharisees' persistent questioning reveals not a genuine desire for truth, but a hardened heart resistant to divine revelation, prioritizing their own authority and traditions over the clear work of God. Their spiritual blindness, contrasted with the physical and spiritual sight of the healed man, underscores that true sight is a matter of the heart's receptivity to Jesus, the Light of the World. This passage serves as a stark warning against allowing religious dogma or institutional power to eclipse the simple truth of God's active presence and miraculous intervention. It emphasizes that those who reject the light do so because their deeds are evil, preferring darkness to expose their true motives.

* [John 3:19-20](/john/3-19-20 "John 3:19-20 - Men Love Darkness")
* [John 12:37](/john/12-37 "John 12:37 - Despite Signs, They Did Not Believe")
* [Matthew 13:13-15](/matthew/13-13-15 "Matthew 13:13-15 - Spiritual Blindness and Deafness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[John 9:26](/john/9-26 "John 9:26 - Pharisees' Persistent Questions") offers profound insights for our own lives of faith. It reminds us that our testimony of what Christ has done for us, though simple and direct, may face skepticism, repeated questioning, or even hostility from those unwilling to believe. Like the man born blind, we are called to stand firm in the truth of our experience with Jesus, even when challenged by those who prioritize their own systems or prejudices over evident grace. This passage also encourages us to critically examine our own hearts: are there areas where we, like the Pharisees, might be spiritually blind, clinging to traditions, assumptions, or pride that prevent us from fully seeing or accepting God's miraculous work in the world or in our own lives? Ultimately, the focus should always be on the Healer, Jesus Christ, who continues to open eyes—both physical and spiritual—for those who humble themselves and believe.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do you typically respond when your faith or personal testimony of God's work is questioned or challenged repeatedly?**
* **What "blind spots" or ingrained traditions in your own life or community might prevent you from fully acknowledging or celebrating God's unexpected work?**
* **In what ways can you maintain the simplicity and truth of your witness, even when faced with complex arguments or opposition?**

### FAQ
**Why did the Pharisees keep asking the same questions to the healed man?**

Answer: The Pharisees' repeated questioning in [John 9:26](/john/9-26 "John 9:26 - Pharisees' Persistent Questions") stems from several intertwined motives. Firstly, they were desperate to find a contradiction in the man's testimony or a legal loophole to discredit Jesus. The miracle itself was undeniable, yet it challenged their authority and their rigid interpretation of the Sabbath law. They hoped that by badgering the man, he would slip up, allowing them to dismiss the healing as a fraud or attribute it to an unlawful act. Secondly, their questions were rooted in a deep-seated unbelief and hostility towards Jesus. They were more concerned with upholding their own power and traditions than with acknowledging a divine work. Their spiritual blindness prevented them from accepting the clear evidence, leading them to repeatedly probe for any detail that could be twisted into an accusation against Jesus, whom they already considered a lawbreaker.

**What does this passage tell us about spiritual blindness?**

Answer: This passage powerfully illustrates that spiritual blindness is often a willful condition, not merely a lack of information. The Pharisees, despite having all the evidence—the man's testimony, his parents' confirmation, and the undeniable fact of the miracle—refused to "see" the truth about Jesus. Their blindness was rooted in their pride, their adherence to rigid traditions, and their fear of losing their authority. They preferred the darkness of their own interpretations and prejudices to the light of Jesus, the "Light of the World" ([John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World")). The man born blind, in contrast, gains not only physical sight but also spiritual insight, recognizing Jesus as from God. This highlights that true spiritual sight comes from a humble heart open to Jesus, while willful rejection of Him leads to profound spiritual darkness, even for those who claim to be enlightened ([John 9:39-41](/john/9-39-41 "John 9:39-41 - Jesus' Words on Spiritual Blindness")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The persistent questioning of the Pharisees in [John 9:26](/john/9-26 "John 9:26 - Pharisees' Persistent Questions") serves as a poignant backdrop to the ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment found in the narrative of the man born blind. Jesus' act of opening the man's physical eyes is a powerful sign pointing to His greater mission: to open the spiritual eyes of humanity. He is the true "Light of the World" ([John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World")), come to dispel the darkness of sin and ignorance. The Pharisees' inability to see the divine truth, despite the undeniable miracle, underscores their spiritual blindness, a condition that Jesus frequently challenged. This physical healing foreshadows the spiritual transformation offered through the Gospel, where those who were once blind to God's truth are given sight through faith in Christ ([2 Corinthians 4:6](/2_corinthians/4-6 "2 Corinthians 4:6 - God's Light in Our Hearts")). Just as the man's eyes were opened, believers are granted the "eyes of your understanding being enlightened" ([Ephesians 1:18](/ephesians/1-18 "Ephesians 1:18 - Enlightened Eyes of the Heart")) to comprehend the hope of His calling. Thus, [John 9:26](/john/9-26 "John 9:26 - Pharisees' Persistent Questions") is not merely a record of an interrogation, but a testament to Jesus' sovereign power to bring light and life, exposing the darkness of unbelief and inviting all to see Him as Lord.

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.