John 9:29

KJV

We know that God spake unto Moses: [as for] this [fellow], we know not from whence he is.

KJV (with Strong's)

We {G2249} know {G1492} that {G3754} God {G2316} spake {G2980} unto Moses {G3475}: as for this {G1161}{G5126} fellow, we know {G1492} not {G3756} from whence {G4159} he is {G2076}.

Complete Jewish Bible

We know that God has spoken to Moshe, but as for this fellow — we don’t know where he’s from!”

Berean Standard Bible

We know that God spoke to Moses, but we do not know where this man is from.”

American Standard Version

We know that God hath spoken unto Moses: but as for this man, we know not whence he is.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 9:29 encapsulates the profound spiritual blindness and entrenched prejudice of the Jewish religious authorities, specifically the Pharisees, as they interrogate the man miraculously healed of congenital blindness by Jesus. This verse starkly contrasts their confident assertion of God's historical communication with Moses with their contemptuous dismissal of Jesus' divine origin and authority, revealing their inability to discern God's present work despite undeniable evidence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a crucial point within the larger narrative of [John 9](/john/9 "John 9 - The Healing of the Man Born Blind"), which details Jesus' miraculous healing of a man born blind on the Sabbath. The healing immediately sparks controversy, leading to multiple interrogations of the healed man and his parents by the Pharisees. Their persistent questioning aims to discredit the miracle and, by extension, Jesus Himself, whom they perceive as a Sabbath-breaker and therefore not from God. The Pharisees' statement in [John 9:29](/john/9-29 "John 9:29 - The Pharisees' Rejection of Jesus") is a direct response to the healed man's growing conviction that Jesus is a prophet or even from God, culminating in their excommunication of the man for his unwavering testimony.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Jewish society placed immense authority on the Mosaic Law, given directly by God through Moses on [Mount Sinai](/exodus/19-20 "Exodus 19-20 - God's Revelation at Sinai"). Moses was revered as the supreme prophet and lawgiver, and adherence to his teachings was the bedrock of Jewish identity and piety. The Pharisees, as a prominent religious sect, were zealous guardians and interpreters of this Law, particularly concerning the Sabbath regulations. Their rigid adherence to tradition and their established understanding of how God would act (e.g., through recognized prophets or signs conforming to their expectations) made them resistant to any new revelation that challenged their authority or worldview. Jesus' actions, especially healing on the Sabbath, directly confronted their legalistic interpretations and threatened their established power structure.
* **Key Themes:** The chapter, and this verse in particular, powerfully illustrates several key themes prevalent in John's Gospel. One is the stark contrast between **spiritual sight and blindness**. While the man born blind gains physical sight and, more importantly, spiritual insight into Jesus' identity, the Pharisees, physically sighted, remain spiritually blind to the truth of who Jesus is, despite overwhelming evidence. Another theme is the **question of Jesus' origin and authority**. Throughout John's Gospel, Jesus' divine origin is a central point of contention, as seen in passages like [John 8:14](/john/8-14 "John 8:14 - Jesus' Divine Origin") and [John 7:27-28](/john/7-27-28 "John 7:27-28 - Debate over Jesus' Origin"). The Pharisees' claim, "we know not from whence he is," is a direct denial of His divine source, contrasting sharply with their acceptance of Moses' divinely sanctioned authority. This highlights the theme of **rejection of divine revelation**, where human prejudice and adherence to tradition prevent recognition of God's present work.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **know (Greek, _eídō'_):** This verb, often implying perception or understanding, is used twice in the verse. First, "We know that God spake unto Moses," indicating a confident, accepted knowledge based on tradition and scripture. Second, "we know not from whence he is," signifying a deliberate denial or feigned ignorance. The Pharisees claim to "know" Moses' divine commission but refuse to "know" or acknowledge Jesus' divine origin, despite the miraculous evidence. This highlights their selective and prejudiced application of "knowing."
* **spake (Greek, _laléō'_):** This word means "to talk, utter words." Here, it refers to God's direct communication with Moses, emphasizing the divine authority behind the Mosaic Law. The Pharisees affirm this past divine utterance as the ultimate standard, contrasting it with Jesus' words and actions, which they refuse to acknowledge as divinely inspired or authorized. Their statement underscores their belief that God's communication ceased or was fully contained in Moses, precluding any new, challenging revelation.
* **whence (Greek, _póthen'_):** This adverb means "from what place, state, source, or cause." While it can refer to geographical origin (which the Pharisees thought they knew, i.e., Nazareth), in this context, it carries a profound theological weight. The Pharisees are questioning Jesus' ultimate source of authority and power. They are implying He is not from God, or at least not from the "place" (source) they would expect a divine messenger to come from, thus denying His legitimacy and divine commission.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"We know that God spake unto Moses":** This opening clause establishes the Pharisees' theological bedrock. They affirm the undeniable truth of God's historical communication with Moses, which forms the foundation of their entire religious system. This statement serves as a declaration of their orthodox belief and simultaneously sets up a stark contrast with their view of Jesus. It is an appeal to established, revered authority.
* **"as for this [fellow]":** The parenthetical "as for this fellow" (implied by the Greek _dé_ and _toûton_) reveals the Pharisees' profound contempt and dismissive attitude towards Jesus. By referring to Him in such a derogatory manner, they devalue His person and His claims, refusing to grant Him any respect or legitimate standing in their religious framework. This phrase underscores their prejudice and spiritual arrogance.
* **"we know not from whence he is":** This concluding declaration is the crux of their rejection. It is not merely an admission of ignorance about Jesus' hometown, but a profound theological denial of His divine origin and authority. Despite the undeniable miracle performed before their eyes, they refuse to acknowledge that Jesus could be from God. Their "not knowing" is a deliberate act of spiritual blindness, rooted in their unwillingness to accept a Messiah who challenges their preconceived notions and threatens their established order.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as the physically blind man gains spiritual sight, while the sighted religious leaders remain spiritually blind. Their confident assertion of "knowing" God spoke to Moses stands in stark ironic contrast to their willful "not knowing" of Jesus' divine origin, despite the overwhelming evidence of His power. **Contrast** is also a key device, setting the revered figure of Moses, through whom God undeniably spoke, against the despised "this fellow" Jesus, whose origin and authority are vehemently denied. This highlights the Pharisees' selective acceptance of divine revelation. Furthermore, the phrase "from whence he is" functions as a **double entendre** or **ambiguity**. On one level, it refers to geographical origin, which they thought they knew (Nazareth). On a deeper, theological level, it questions Jesus' divine source and authority, revealing their refusal to acknowledge His heavenly provenance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 9:29 profoundly illustrates the human tendency to cling to established traditions and past revelations while resisting new manifestations of God's truth, especially when they challenge preconceived notions or personal authority. The Pharisees' unwavering commitment to Moses and the Law, while commendable in itself, became a barrier to recognizing the very God who spoke through Moses, now speaking and acting in Jesus. Their spiritual blindness serves as a timeless warning against the dangers of religious rigidity and prejudice, demonstrating that true faith requires an open heart willing to discern God's work in unexpected ways and through unexpected persons.

* [John 5:39-40](/john/5-39-40 "Searching Scriptures, Rejecting Christ")
* [Luke 16:31](/luke/16-31 "They will not be convinced")
* [Matthew 13:13-15](/matthew/13-13-15 "Why Jesus Speaks in Parables")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The Pharisees' declaration in John 9:29 serves as a powerful mirror for self-examination. It challenges us to consider whether our own understanding of God, based on past experiences or established traditions, might inadvertently blind us to His present and future work. Are we open to God moving in ways that challenge our comfort zones, our expectations, or even our theological frameworks? The story of the man born blind reminds us that true spiritual sight is not merely intellectual assent to doctrine, but a humble willingness to acknowledge God's power and presence wherever it manifests, even if it comes from an unexpected "whence." It calls us to prioritize genuine encounter with God over rigid adherence to human interpretations, fostering a spirit of humility and discernment that allows us to see and embrace the new things God is doing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life or faith am I prone to spiritual blindness, perhaps clinging to past understandings rather than seeking fresh revelation from God?**
* **How do I react when God's work or truth challenges my preconceived notions or established traditions? Am I open to being corrected or surprised by Him?**
* **What "evidence" of God's activity might I be overlooking because it doesn't fit my expectations of "whence" it should come?**

### FAQ
**Why were the Pharisees so insistent on "knowing" Jesus' origin, and what did "whence" truly mean to them?**

Answer: The Pharisees' insistence on "knowing" Jesus' origin went far beyond mere curiosity about His hometown. While they likely knew He was from Nazareth, their deeper concern was His divine source and authority. The Greek word _póthen_ (whence) implies "from what source or cause." For the Pharisees, if Jesus was truly from God, His actions and teachings (especially healing on the Sabbath) should align perfectly with their understanding of the Mosaic Law and prophetic tradition. Since Jesus challenged their interpretations and traditions, they concluded He could not be from God. Their "not knowing" was a deliberate denial of His divine legitimacy, a refusal to acknowledge any source of authority for Him other than human, and therefore, in their eyes, illegitimate. This question of "whence" was central to their rejection of His messianic claims, as seen throughout [John's Gospel](/john/1 "The Gospel According to John").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 9:29, though spoken in rejection, paradoxically points to Christ's unique fulfillment. The Pharisees' confident assertion, "We know that God spake unto Moses," underscores the foundational truth of God's revelation through the Law. However, their subsequent declaration, "we know not from whence he is," highlights their tragic failure to recognize that the very God who spoke to Moses was now speaking and acting in the person of Jesus. Jesus is not merely another prophet, but the Word of God made flesh, the ultimate revelation of God's character and will ([John 1:1-3](/john/1-1-3 "John 1:1-3 - The Word Became Flesh"), [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Incarnation")). The Law, given through Moses, was a shadow pointing to Christ ([Colossians 2:16-17](/colossians/2-16-17 "Colossians 2:16-17 - Shadow and Reality")). Jesus fulfills the Law not by abolishing it, but by perfectly embodying its spirit and purpose, bringing grace and truth ([John 1:17](/john/1-17 "John 1:17 - Grace and Truth Through Jesus Christ")). The Pharisees, by rejecting Jesus' divine "whence," rejected the very culmination of God's redemptive plan, failing to see that the One greater than Moses had arrived, bringing not just a new law, but new life and true light to the world ([John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World")).

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.

Cross-References

John 8:14

Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, [yet] my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go.

Hebrews 3:2

Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses [was faithful] in all his house.

Hebrews 3:5

And Moses verily [was] faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;

1 Kings 22:27

And say, Thus saith the king, Put this [fellow] in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I come in peace.

Numbers 12:2

And they said, Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the LORD heard [it].

Numbers 12:7

My servant Moses [is] not so, who [is] faithful in all mine house.

John 7:27

Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is.