John 9:33

KJV

If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.

KJV (with Strong's)

If {G1508} this man {G3778} were {G2258} not {G1508} of {G3844} God {G2316}, he could {G1410}{G3756} do {G4160} nothing {G3762}.

Complete Jewish Bible

If this man were not from God, he couldn’t do a thing!”

Berean Standard Bible

If this man were not from God, He could do no such thing.”

American Standard Version

If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In the man born blind, now miraculously healed by Jesus, boldly declares to the interrogating Pharisees that if Jesus were not "of God," He would be utterly powerless to perform such a profound miracle. This statement serves as the climactic point of his courageous defense of Jesus, highlighting his spiritual insight in stark contrast to the spiritual blindness of the religious authorities, and affirming Jesus' divine origin and authority through His unprecedented work.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the culmination of a dramatic encounter between the formerly blind man and the Jewish religious authorities, particularly the Pharisees, who refuse to acknowledge Jesus' miraculous healing. The narrative begins with Jesus healing the man on the Sabbath ([John 9:1-7](/john/9-1-7 "John 9:1-7 - Jesus Heals the Man Born Blind")), which immediately raises controversy. The Pharisees repeatedly interrogate the man and even his fearful parents ([John 9:18-23](/john/9-18-23 "John 9:18-23 - Parents of the Blind Man Questioned")), attempting to discredit the miracle or Jesus Himself. The man, initially simple in his understanding, grows in conviction and courage through the interrogations. His statement in [John 9:33](/john/9-33 "John 9:33 - The Healed Man's Confession") is a powerful, logical, and spiritually insightful retort to their persistent unbelief and accusations that Jesus is a sinner ([John 9:24](/john/9-24 "John 9:24 - Pharisees Accuse Jesus")). The chapter concludes with Jesus finding the man and revealing Himself as the Son of Man, leading to the man's worship and Jesus' pronouncement on spiritual blindness ([John 9:35-41](/john/9-35-41 "John 9:35-41 - Jesus Reveals Himself and Speaks of Blindness")).

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Jerusalem, likely near the Temple, where such interrogations by religious authorities would typically occur. The Pharisees were a prominent Jewish sect known for their strict adherence to the Mosaic Law and oral traditions. Their authority was significant, and excommunication from the synagogue, a threat they wielded ([John 9:22](/john/9-22 "John 9:22 - Threat of Excommunication")), was a severe social and religious punishment, isolating individuals from their community and religious life. Healing on the Sabbath was a contentious issue, as the Pharisees interpreted the Law to prohibit such work, viewing Jesus' actions as a violation. The belief that physical ailments, especially blindness from birth, were a result of sin ([John 9:2](/john/9-2 "John 9:2 - Disciples Ask About Sin and Blindness")) was a common cultural assumption, making the healing of a man born blind an unprecedented and profoundly challenging event for their theological framework. No recorded prophet in the Old Testament had ever opened the eyes of someone born blind, making this miracle unique and, for the man, undeniable proof of divine intervention.

* **Key Themes:** [John 9](/john/9 "John 9 - The Healing of the Man Born Blind") is rich with thematic depth. The central theme is **Spiritual Blindness vs. Spiritual Sight**, contrasting the physical healing of the man with the spiritual inability of the Pharisees to see God's work. The man, once physically blind, gains profound spiritual insight, while the "seeing" religious leaders remain in darkness, refusing to acknowledge the clear evidence of God's power. This chapter also powerfully highlights the **Divine Authority and Identity of Jesus**, as His unique ability to perform such an unprecedented miracle points directly to His divine origin and intimate relationship with the Father. The **Role of Works as Testimony** is crucial; the man correctly understands that Jesus' miracles are not random acts but undeniable signs that bear witness to His identity, echoing Jesus' own words in [John 10:25](/john/10-25 "John 10:25 - Jesus' Works Testify of Him"). Finally, the theme of **Courage in Conviction** is evident in the man's steadfastness against powerful opposition, demonstrating that genuine faith empowers one to speak truth to power, even at great personal cost.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **man (Greek, _hoûtos'_):** This demonstrative pronoun, meaning "this one" or "this man," emphatically points to Jesus. The healed man uses it to refer to Jesus, whom the Pharisees are trying to discredit. By using "this man," he anchors his argument to the specific person who performed the undeniable miracle, directly challenging their attempts to dismiss Jesus' identity and authority.
* **of (Greek, _pará'_):** This preposition, meaning "from beside" or "from the proximity of," indicates origin or source. When the man states Jesus is "of God," he is asserting that Jesus' power and authority do not originate from human means or even from a general divine blessing, but directly and intimately "from God" Himself. It implies a unique, close relationship and divine empowerment, not merely that Jesus is a good man or a prophet.
* **could do (Greek, _dýnamai'_):** This verb signifies the ability, power, or possibility to do something. Coupled with the negative "nothing," it emphasizes that without divine origin and empowerment, Jesus would be utterly incapable of performing any significant act, let alone a miracle of this magnitude. The man's logic is that such a powerful, unprecedented act of healing proves Jesus possesses a power that originates solely from God, making any other source of His power impossible.
* **nothing (Greek, _oudeís'_):** This strong negative pronoun means "not even one," "nobody," or "absolutely nothing." Its use here underscores the man's conviction that if Jesus were not divinely sent and empowered, He would possess zero capability to perform such a miracle. It highlights the stark contrast between the extraordinary power Jesus demonstrated and the absolute impotence implied if He were merely a human acting on his own.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"If this man were not of God":** This clause sets up a conditional premise, presenting a hypothetical situation that the man speaking clearly believes to be false. The "man" refers to Jesus. The phrase "of God" (Greek: _pará Theou_) signifies divine origin, empowerment, and approval. The man is asserting that Jesus' actions demonstrate His direct connection to and authorization from God. This is a direct challenge to the Pharisees' accusation that Jesus is a sinner or not from God.
* **"he could do nothing":** This is the logical consequence of the man's premise. If Jesus were not divinely empowered, He would be utterly incapable of performing the miracle of opening the eyes of someone born blind. The "nothing" (Greek: _oudeís_) is emphatic, implying absolute powerlessness. The man's argument is simple yet profound: the unparalleled nature of the miracle serves as irrefutable proof of Jesus' divine origin and authority, because only someone "of God" could accomplish such a feat.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. **Argumentation** is central, as the man uses a logical, almost syllogistic, structure to counter the Pharisees' illogical disbelief. His argument is a form of **_reductio ad absurdum_**, implying that to deny Jesus' divine origin would lead to the absurd conclusion that a mere man could perform an unprecedented miracle, which is impossible. There is profound **Irony** present: the physically blind man, now seeing, demonstrates greater spiritual insight and theological understanding than the "seeing" religious leaders who claim to be spiritual guides. His statement is also a form of **Understatement** (or perhaps **Litotes**), as "could do nothing" is a mild way of saying "could not perform such a unique and powerful miracle," thereby emphasizing the extraordinary nature of what Jesus *did* do. The entire interaction is framed by **Contrast** between light and darkness, sight and blindness, truth and error, which is a pervasive theme throughout [John's Gospel](/john/1 "John - The Gospel of John").

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The man's declaration in [John 9:33](/john/9-33 "John 9:33 - The Healed Man's Confession") is a profound theological statement, asserting Jesus' divine origin and authority based on His works. It aligns with the broader biblical principle that God confirms His messengers through signs and wonders. The unprecedented nature of healing someone born blind signifies not just a miracle, but an act of new creation, akin to God's original creative power. This miracle, therefore, serves as undeniable evidence that Jesus is not merely a prophet or a good teacher, but one uniquely empowered by God, indeed, "of God." The man's simple faith grasps a truth that the learned religious leaders, blinded by prejudice and tradition, fail to see. His statement anticipates the deeper theological understanding of Jesus as the Son of God, whose works are intrinsically linked to the Father's will and power.

* [Acts 2:22](/acts/2-22 "Acts 2:22 - Jesus, Confirmed by God")
* [Hebrews 2:4](/hebrews/2-4 "Hebrews 2:4 - God Bearing Witness")
* [John 10:37-38](/john/10-37-38 "John 10:37-38 - Jesus' Works as Proof")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[John 9:33](/john/9-33 "John 9:33 - The Healed Man's Confession") offers powerful lessons for believers today. Firstly, it calls us to cultivate spiritual discernment, to recognize God's hand at work in the world, even when His methods defy our expectations or challenge our preconceived notions. The man born blind saw the truth of Jesus through the undeniable evidence of His power, while the Pharisees, despite their religious knowledge, were spiritually blind. This challenges us to be open to God's activity and to allow His works to shape our understanding of His nature and His Son. Secondly, it inspires courage in conviction. The healed man, an outcast with no social standing, bravely stood against powerful religious authorities, articulating a clear and logical defense of Jesus. We too are called to boldly speak the truth about Jesus, based on the transformative power we have experienced in our own lives and witnessed in the world, even when facing opposition or social pressure. Our testimony, like the man's, can be a powerful witness to Jesus' divine authority and saving grace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be spiritually blind, failing to recognize God's work in my life or the world around me?**
* **What evidence of Jesus' divine power and authority have I witnessed that strengthens my conviction in Him?**
* **How can I cultivate the courage to speak truth about Jesus, even when it is unpopular or challenging?**
* **What preconceived notions or traditions might be hindering my ability to see God's truth more clearly?**

### FAQ
**Who is the "this man" referred to in John 9:33?**

Answer: "This man" refers to Jesus. The speaker, the man who was born blind and miraculously healed by Jesus, uses this phrase to identify the one whose actions are the subject of the Pharisees' intense scrutiny and his own powerful defense. He is directly challenging their attempts to dismiss Jesus' identity and the divine source of His power.

**Why is the man's statement "If this man were not of God, he could do nothing" so significant?**

Answer: This statement is profoundly significant for several reasons. Firstly, it is a bold and logical declaration of Jesus' divine origin and authority, coming from an uneducated outcast who has experienced Jesus' power directly. Secondly, it highlights the unprecedented nature of the miracle: opening the eyes of someone born blind was an act never before recorded in Scripture, implying a creative power that only God possesses. The man argues that such a unique act could not be performed by a mere human or a sinner; it unequivocally points to Jesus being "of God." This statement serves as a powerful rebuke to the Pharisees' spiritual blindness and their refusal to acknowledge the clear evidence of God's work through Jesus, as detailed throughout [John 9](/john/9 "John 9 - The Healing of the Man Born Blind").

**What does "of God" mean in this context?**

Answer: In this context, "of God" (Greek: _pará Theou_) signifies divine origin, empowerment, and approval. It means that Jesus' power and authority do not come from human effort, magic, or even a general divine blessing, but directly and intimately from God Himself. The man is asserting that Jesus is uniquely sent by God and acts with God's own power and authority. This implies a special relationship with the Father, going beyond that of a mere prophet, and foreshadows Jesus' later claims of unity with the Father, as seen in [John 10:30](/john/10-30 "John 10:30 - Jesus and the Father are One").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The man's declaration in [John 9:33](/john/9-33 "John 9:33 - The Healed Man's Confession") serves as a profound Christ-centered fulfillment, anticipating and affirming Jesus' unique divine identity and mission. The Old Testament prophets, though empowered by God, never performed a miracle of this specific nature—opening the eyes of someone born blind. This unprecedented act by Jesus points to Him as more than a prophet; it signifies His role as the Creator and the one who brings new creation, fulfilling prophecies of the Messiah bringing sight to the blind ([Isaiah 35:5](/isaiah/35-5 "Isaiah 35:5 - Eyes of the Blind Opened")). The man's simple logic, that such power must come "of God," foreshadows the New Testament's explicit declarations of Jesus' deity and His intimate unity with the Father ([John 1:1-3](/john/1-1-3 "John 1:1-3 - The Word Was God"), [John 14:9](/john/14-9 "John 14:9 - Whoever Has Seen Me Has Seen the Father")). Jesus' ability to do "nothing" apart from God ([John 5:19](/john/5-19 "John 5:19 - The Son Can Do Nothing of Himself")) yet perform such extraordinary works, underscores that His power is not His own in isolation, but the very power of God flowing through the incarnate Son. Thus, the healed man's testimony is a powerful, albeit early, confession of Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, whose works bear witness to His divine nature and His ultimate mission to bring spiritual sight to a spiritually blind world ([John 12:46](/john/12-46 "John 12:46 - 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 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 3:2

The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

Acts 5:38

And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:

Acts 5:39

But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.