John 9:30

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
In John 9:30, the man who was born blind and miraculously healed by Jesus confronts the interrogating Pharisees with a profound and logical observation. Having been subjected to persistent questioning regarding the source of his newfound sight, he expresses astonishment at their willful ignorance and spiritual inability to recognize the divine origin and power of the one who performed such an undeniable miracle, despite the clear and transformative evidence before them.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the extended narrative of [John 9](/john/9 "John 9 - Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind"), which meticulously details Jesus' healing of a man born blind. The miracle itself, performed on the Sabbath, immediately sparks controversy and intense scrutiny from the Jewish religious authorities, particularly the Pharisees. Following Jesus' simple act of anointing the man's eyes with mud and instructing him to wash in the Pool of Siloam [John 9:6-7](/john/9-6-7 "John 9:6-7 - Jesus Heals the Blind Man"), the man gains his sight. This astonishing event leads to a series of interrogations—first by his neighbors, then by the Pharisees, who even summon his parents in an attempt to discredit the miracle and Jesus' authority [John 9:18-23](/john/9-18-23 "John 9:18-23 - The Pharisees Question the Man's Parents"). The formerly blind man, growing increasingly confident and insightful, defends Jesus against their cynical questioning, culminating in this bold and incredulous declaration in [John 9:30](/john/9-30 "John 9:30 - The Blind Man's Bold Reply"), which highlights the absurdity of their unbelief.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Jerusalem, where the religious elite, primarily the Pharisees, held significant power and influence over Jewish life and interpretation of the Mosaic Law. Their authority was deeply intertwined with their strict adherence to the Law, including Sabbath regulations. Jesus' healing on the Sabbath was a direct challenge to their rigid interpretations and, by extension, their authority. Furthermore, the belief that blindness was a result of sin [John 9:2](/john/9-2 "John 9:2 - Disciples Ask About Sin and Blindness") was prevalent, making the healing of a man born blind an unprecedented and profound sign. The Pharisees' fear of losing control and their deep-seated prejudice against Jesus, whom they viewed as a Sabbath-breaker and blasphemer, fueled their relentless questioning. The threat of excommunication from the synagogue [John 9:22](/john/9-22 "John 9:22 - Threat of Excommunication") loomed large, making the man's courageous testimony all the more remarkable.

* **Key Themes:** The narrative of [John 9](/john/9 "John 9 - Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind") is rich with thematic depth, to which [John 9:30](/john/9-30 "John 9:30 - The Blind Man's Bold Reply") significantly contributes. A central theme is the stark contrast between **physical sight and spiritual blindness**. The man receives physical sight, while the Pharisees, despite their physical vision, remain spiritually blind to the clear evidence of God's work in Jesus. This echoes Jesus' earlier statement about being the "light of the world" [John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World"). The verse also underscores **Jesus' divine authority and identity**; the man's rhetorical question implicitly argues that only someone sent from God could perform such a profound miracle, thereby affirming Jesus' unique relationship with the Father, a theme pervasive throughout [John's Gospel](/john "The Gospel According to John"). The **unbelief and stubbornness** of the religious leaders are powerfully exposed, revealing their hardened hearts and their prioritization of human tradition over divine revelation. Finally, the **boldness of faith** is highlighted, as a common man, once marginalized by his disability, now stands firm and articulate against powerful religious authorities, demonstrating a clear-sightedness that transcends mere physical vision and points to a burgeoning faith in Christ.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **marvellous thing (Greek, _thaumastós'_):** From _thaumázō_, meaning "to wonder at." This word conveys a sense of astonishment, wonder, and something truly extraordinary or amazing. The man is not merely surprised but deeply incredulous that such an obvious and impactful miracle could be dismissed or misunderstood by those who claimed spiritual insight. It implies a profound disconnect between the undeniable reality of his healing and the Pharisees' refusal to acknowledge its divine source.
* **know (Greek, _eídō'_):** A primary verb meaning "to see" (literally or figuratively); by implication, in the perfect tense, "to know." Here, it refers to intellectual and spiritual apprehension. The man is highlighting the Pharisees' profound lack of understanding or recognition of Jesus' origin, despite the clear evidence of His power. Their "not knowing" is not merely ignorance but a willful refusal to acknowledge what should be obvious from the miraculous sign.
* **opened (Greek, _anoígō'_):** From _aná_ (up) and _oígō_ (to open). This verb means "to open up," literally or figuratively. In this context, it refers to the physical act of restoring sight, but it also carries symbolic weight, hinting at the spiritual opening of eyes to truth. The man emphasizes the direct, undeniable, and transformative action performed by Jesus, which stands in stark contrast to the Pharisees' spiritual "blindness" or refusal to "open their eyes" to who Jesus is.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The man answered and said unto them":** This opening phrase establishes the setting as a direct confrontation. The man, having been interrogated multiple times, is no longer a passive recipient of questioning but actively engages with the authorities. His "answer" is not merely a reply but a counter-challenge, indicating a shift in dynamic where he begins to expose their folly.
* **"Why herein is a marvellous thing":** The "Why" (Greek _gár_) introduces a rhetorical question expressing profound astonishment and incredulity. The man is utterly amazed and bewildered by the Pharisees' inability to grasp the obvious. The "marvellous thing" refers to the entire situation—that a man born blind was healed, and yet the religious leaders cannot discern the healer's identity or authority. It’s a statement of wonder mixed with a hint of exasperation.
* **"that ye know not from whence he is":** This clause highlights the core of the Pharisees' spiritual problem: their willful ignorance concerning Jesus' divine origin and authority. Despite the undeniable evidence of the miracle, they refuse to acknowledge Jesus as being "from God." The man implies that the nature of the miracle should have made Jesus' divine commission self-evident to those who claimed to be spiritual guides.
* **"and yet he hath opened mine eyes":** This is the irrefutable, empirical evidence that stands in stark contrast to their spiritual blindness. The man presents his own restored sight as the undeniable proof. The conjunction "and yet" (implied by the Greek _kaí_ used adversatively) underscores the paradox: they don't know who Jesus is, AND YET He performed this undeniable miracle. The personal pronoun "mine eyes" makes the testimony profoundly personal and unassailable.

#### Literary Devices
[John 9:30](/john/9-30 "John 9:30 - The Blind Man's Bold Reply") is rich with literary devices that amplify its impact. The most prominent is **Irony**. The physically blind man, now seeing, possesses far greater spiritual insight than the sighted Pharisees, who are spiritually blind to the truth of Jesus' identity. Their supposed knowledge and authority are contrasted with his simple, direct understanding. The man's statement, "Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is," functions as a powerful **Rhetorical Question**, not seeking information but expressing his utter astonishment and highlighting the absurdity of their position. It serves to expose their intellectual and spiritual hypocrisy. There is also a strong element of **Contrast** between the undeniable physical miracle ("he hath opened mine eyes") and the Pharisees' spiritual inability to discern its divine source ("ye know not from whence he is"). This contrast underscores the central theme of spiritual versus physical sight throughout [John 9](/john/9 "John 9 - Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind"). Finally, the man's direct address and simple, yet profound, logic demonstrate a form of **Socratic Dialogue**, where his seemingly naive question exposes the deep-seated flaws in his interlocutors' reasoning and beliefs.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The man's bold declaration in [John 9:30](/john/9-30 "John 9:30 - The Blind Man's Bold Reply") serves as a powerful theological statement about the nature of divine revelation and human response. His astonishment at the Pharisees' ignorance underscores the principle that God's works are meant to reveal His character and send His messengers. For those with open hearts, a miracle like the healing of a man born blind should unequivocally point to a divine source. The Pharisees' refusal to acknowledge this truth reveals a profound spiritual blindness rooted in prejudice and a hardened heart, rather than a lack of evidence. Their inability to "know from whence He is" is a theological failure to discern God's presence and activity, demonstrating that true spiritual understanding is not merely intellectual assent but a willingness to receive and respond to divine light. This narrative powerfully illustrates that while God provides ample evidence, human pride and preconceived notions can erect impenetrable barriers to faith.

* [John 3:19](/john/3-19 "John 3:19 - Men Loved Darkness Rather Than Light")
* [Luke 16:31](/luke/16-31 "Luke 16:31 - They Will Not Be Persuaded Even If One Rises From the Dead")
* [Matthew 13:13](/matthew/13-13 "Matthew 13:13 - Seeing They See Not")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The formerly blind man's courage and clear-sightedness in [John 9:30](/john/9-30 "John 9:30 - The Blind Man's Bold Reply") offer profound lessons for contemporary believers. His simple yet irrefutable testimony challenges us to recognize and acknowledge God's work in our lives and in the world, even when it defies our expectations or challenges our established norms. We are called to cultivate a spiritual openness that allows us to see divine activity, rather than succumbing to the spiritual blindness that plagued the Pharisees. This passage also encourages us to speak truth boldly and logically, even when facing opposition from those in positions of authority or those who refuse to see. The man's unadorned testimony, rooted in personal experience and clear observation, proved more potent than the Pharisees' complex legalisms and theological prejudices. It serves as a potent warning against the danger of allowing pride, prejudice, or rigid adherence to tradition to prevent us from perceiving and embracing the clear evidence of God's presence and power. True understanding and spiritual sight come from a willingness to perceive and accept divine revelation, not merely from physical vision or accumulated religious knowledge.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be spiritually blind, perhaps refusing to see God's work because it doesn't fit my expectations or challenges my comfort zone?**
* **How can I cultivate the kind of bold and clear-sighted faith demonstrated by the formerly blind man, especially when confronting skepticism or opposition?**
* **What "marvellous things" has God done in my life or in the world around me that I might be overlooking or failing to acknowledge due to my own biases or preconceived notions?**

### FAQ
**Why were the Pharisees so unwilling to believe the man's testimony, even with clear evidence?**

Answer: The Pharisees' unwillingness to believe stemmed from several factors, primarily their deep-seated prejudice against Jesus and their rigid interpretation of the Law. Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, which they considered a violation of their traditions, making Him a "sinner" in their eyes [John 9:16](/john/9-16 "John 9:16 - Division Among the Pharisees"). They were more concerned with upholding their legalistic traditions and maintaining their authority than with discerning the truth of Jesus' divine origin. Furthermore, acknowledging Jesus as a prophet or the Messiah would have challenged their entire theological framework and power structure. Their spiritual blindness was a result of hardened hearts and a refusal to humble themselves before divine revelation, prioritizing their own understanding and control over God's clear demonstration of power.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of the man born blind and his encounter with Jesus and the Pharisees in [John 9](/john/9 "John 9 - Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind") finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus as the "Light of the World" [John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World"). The physical healing of the man's eyes foreshadows the spiritual illumination that Jesus brings to all who believe. Just as the man received physical sight from Jesus, humanity, born spiritually blind due to sin [Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned"), receives spiritual sight and understanding through faith in Christ. The Pharisees' spiritual blindness, despite their religious knowledge, highlights that true sight is not intellectual but spiritual, granted by the Holy Spirit through Christ. Jesus' work of opening eyes extends beyond physical healing to delivering people from the darkness of sin and ignorance into the marvelous light of His truth [1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - Called Out of Darkness into His Marvelous Light"). He is the one "from whence" all true light and salvation originate, and His miracles serve as irrefutable signs pointing to His unique identity as the Son of God, who came to give life and light to a world shrouded in spiritual darkness [John 1:4-5](/john/1-4-5 "John 1:4-5 - In Him Was Life, and the Life Was the Light of Men"). The man's confession, though initially limited, prefigures the full recognition of Jesus as Lord and God that comes through saving faith.

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 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.