John 9:30

The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and [yet] he hath opened mine eyes.

The man {G444} answered {G611} and {G2532} said {G2036} unto them {G846}, Why {G1063} herein {G1722}{G5129} is {G2076} a marvellous thing {G2298}, that {G3754} ye {G5210} know {G1492} not {G3756} from whence {G4159} he is {G2076}, and {G2532} yet he hath opened {G455} mine {G3450} eyes {G3788}.

“What a strange thing,” the man answered, “that you don’t know where he’s from — considering that he opened my eyes!

“That is remarkable indeed!” the man said. “You do not know where He is from, and yet He opened my eyes.

The man answered and said unto them, Why, herein is the marvel, that ye know not whence he is, and yet he opened mine eyes.

Commentary

In John 9:30, the man who was born blind and miraculously healed by Jesus confronts the religious authorities, the Pharisees, with a sharp and logical observation. Having just been interrogated about the source of his healing, he expresses astonishment at their inability to recognize the divine power behind the miracle, despite the undeniable evidence of his newfound sight.

Context

This verse is part of a longer narrative in John Chapter 9, detailing one of Jesus' most profound miracles: the healing of a man born blind. After Jesus applied mud to his eyes and instructed him to wash in the pool of Siloam (John 9:7), the man received his sight. This astonishing event immediately drew the attention of his neighbors and, subsequently, the skeptical Pharisees. They questioned the man extensively, even calling his parents, trying to discredit the miracle and Jesus himself (John 9:18-23). The man's reply in verse 30 is his direct challenge to their willful ignorance and prejudice.

Key Themes

  • Spiritual Blindness vs. Physical Sight: The passage starkly contrasts the physical healing of the man with the profound spiritual blindness of the Pharisees. Though they could see, they refused to acknowledge the clear work of God right before their eyes, demonstrating a failure to discern the light of truth.
  • Jesus' Divine Authority and Identity: The man's rhetorical question, "ye know not from whence he is," highlights the miraculous nature of the healing as undeniable proof of Jesus' divine origin and authority. He implies that only someone sent from God could perform such a sign. This resonates with Jesus' own claims about His source (John 8:14).
  • Unbelief and Stubbornness: The Pharisees' persistent refusal to believe, despite overwhelming evidence, underscores their hardened hearts and their prioritization of religious tradition over divine revelation. Their inability to accept the miracle revealed their own spiritual darkness (John 9:41).
  • Boldness of Faith: The formerly blind man, a common individual, displays remarkable courage and clear-sightedness in challenging the powerful religious leaders. His simple, logical argument exposes their hypocrisy and stands as a testament to his newfound faith and understanding.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "marvellous thing" translates the Greek word thaumaston (θαυμαστὸν), which conveys a sense of wonder, astonishment, and something truly extraordinary. The man is not just surprised; he is amazed that such an obvious and impactful miracle could be dismissed or misunderstood by those who claimed to be spiritual guides. His statement is a direct, incredulous challenge to their intellectual and spiritual integrity.

Practical Application

  • Recognizing God's Work: This verse challenges us to look beyond our preconceived notions and biases to recognize God's work in the world and in our lives, even when it comes in unexpected ways or through unconventional means.
  • Standing for Truth: The man's example encourages believers to speak truth boldly and logically, even when facing opposition from those in authority or those who refuse to see. His simple testimony was more powerful than the Pharisees' complex legalisms.
  • Beware of Spiritual Blindness: It serves as a potent warning against the danger of spiritual blindness, where pride, prejudice, or rigid adherence to tradition can prevent us from seeing and acknowledging the clear evidence of God's presence and power. True understanding comes from a willingness to perceive and accept divine revelation, not just physical sight or religious knowledge.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • John 12:37

    ¶ But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:

  • John 3:10

    Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?

  • Isaiah 29:18

    And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness.

  • Psalms 119:18

    ¶ Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.

  • Isaiah 29:14

    Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, [even] a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise [men] shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent [men] shall be hid.

  • Luke 7:22

    Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.

  • Matthew 11:5

    The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
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