John 9:37

KJV

And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} Jesus {G2424} said {G2036} unto him {G846}, Thou hast {G3708} both {G2532} seen {G3708} him {G846}, and {G2532} it is {G2076} he {G1565} that talketh {G2980} with {G3326} thee {G4675}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yeshua said to him, “You have seen him. In fact, he’s the one speaking with you now.”

Berean Standard Bible

“You have already seen Him,” Jesus answered. “He is the One speaking with you.”

American Standard Version

Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and he it is that speaketh with thee.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 9:37 marks the climactic moment of divine self-revelation, where Jesus explicitly discloses His true identity to the man born blind whom He had just healed. After the man's courageous confession of faith led to his excommunication from the synagogue by the spiritually blind religious authorities, Jesus sought him out to confirm his belief and reveal that the very one speaking with him was indeed the Son of God, culminating the man's journey from physical darkness to profound spiritual illumination.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the powerful culmination of one of John's most extended and dramatic narratives, beginning in [John 9:1](/john/9-1 "John 9:1 - Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind"). The preceding verses detail Jesus' miraculous healing of the man born blind, an act that immediately sparks controversy among the Pharisees. The man is subjected to intense interrogation by the religious authorities, who repeatedly question the miracle's authenticity and Jesus' authority, ultimately expelling the man from the synagogue for his unwavering testimony ([John 9:34](/john/9-34 "John 9:34 - The Man Excommunicated")). Immediately before this verse, Jesus seeks out the now-ostracized man and asks him, "Dost thou believe on the Son of God?" ([John 9:35](/john/9-35 "John 9:35 - Jesus Asks About Belief in the Son of God")), to which the man eagerly responds, "Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?" ([John 9:36](/john/9-36 "John 9:36 - The Man Asks for Identification")). Verse 37 is Jesus' direct and unambiguous answer, confirming His identity as the Son of God to the one who has shown genuine faith and suffered for it.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Jerusalem, likely near the Temple, during a time of heightened tension between Jesus and the Jewish religious establishment, particularly the Pharisees. The synagogue was not merely a place of worship but the center of Jewish community life, education, and social identity. Excommunication from the synagogue ([John 9:34](/john/9-34 "John 9:34 - Expulsion from the Synagogue")) was a severe punishment, rendering an individual an outcast, cut off from social and religious interaction, and often leading to economic hardship. This act by the Pharisees underscores their rigid adherence to tradition and their fear of Jesus' growing influence, which they perceived as a threat to their authority and interpretation of the Law. Against this backdrop of rejection and marginalization, Jesus' personal pursuit and revelation to the man highlights His compassion and divine care for those cast out for their faith in Him.

* **Key Themes:** This pivotal moment in [John 9](/john/9 "John 9 - Jesus Heals the Blind Man") powerfully illustrates several overarching themes. First, it emphasizes **Divine Self-Revelation**, as Jesus directly and personally discloses His identity to an individual who has demonstrated genuine faith and suffered for it, contrasting with His often veiled or parabolic teachings to the crowds. Second, it highlights the theme of **Spiritual Sight vs. Physical Blindness**. While the man receives physical sight, the narrative's true climax is his reception of spiritual sight—moving from seeing Jesus as a "man" ([John 9:11](/john/9-11 "John 9:11 - The Man's Initial View of Jesus")) to a "prophet" ([John 9:17](/john/9-17 "John 9:17 - The Man Calls Jesus a Prophet")) to the "Son of God" ([John 9:37](/john/9-37 "John 9:37 - Jesus Reveals His Identity")). This stands in stark contrast to the [Pharisees' profound spiritual blindness](/john/9-40-41 "John 9:40-41 - The Pharisees' Spiritual Blindness"), who, despite their physical sight and religious knowledge, remain unable to perceive Jesus' true nature. Finally, the narrative underscores the **Transformative Power of Personal Encounter and Faith**, demonstrating how a tested and unwavering faith is rewarded with intimate knowledge of Christ.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **seen (Greek, _horáō'_):** This verb primarily means "to stare at," implying a clear, discerning perception, both physically and mentally. In this context, it refers to the man's newly restored physical sight, enabling him to literally see Jesus, but also implicitly points to the dawning of his spiritual understanding. The act of "seeing" Jesus physically becomes the precursor to "seeing" Him spiritually as the Son of God.
* **he (Greek, _ekeînos'_):** This demonstrative pronoun, meaning "that one" or "he," is used emphatically here. It points directly to Jesus Himself, the very person standing before the man. The emphasis is on the specific, unique identity of the speaker. It is not just *someone* who is talking, but *that very one* whom the man has seen and who has performed the miracle, is the "Son of God" he sought.
* **talketh (Greek, _laléō'_):** This verb means "to talk" or "utter words." While seemingly simple, its use here emphasizes the direct, personal, and immediate nature of the revelation. It is through this very act of speaking, this intimate conversation, that Jesus reveals His divine identity. The man is not receiving a revelation through a third party or a vision, but through the direct, audible words of the Son of God Himself.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Jesus said unto him,"**: This opening clause establishes the speaker and the recipient of this profound revelation. It highlights Jesus' intentionality in seeking out the man and engaging him in a personal dialogue, demonstrating His pastoral care for those who are marginalized for their faith.
* **"Thou hast both seen him,"**: This part confirms the man's physical sight, which Jesus had just restored. "Him" refers back to the "Son of God" from Jesus' previous question. It implies that the man has not only physically seen Jesus but is now poised to recognize Him as the divine Son, connecting the physical miracle to the spiritual truth.
* **"and it is he that talketh with thee."**: This is the climactic declaration. Jesus explicitly identifies Himself as the "Son of God" whom the man sought to know. The phrase "it is he" (Greek: _ego eimi_ is implied or strongly echoed, though not explicitly used here, the context of divine self-identification is clear) is a powerful statement of divine presence and identity. The immediacy of "talketh with thee" underscores the personal and direct nature of this ultimate revelation, emphasizing that the divine is intimately present and speaking to the individual.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. **Direct Revelation** is paramount, as Jesus unequivocally states His identity, contrasting with His often more indirect self-disclosures. This directness creates a moment of profound intimacy and clarity. There is also a strong element of **Irony** present throughout the broader narrative, culminating here: the physically blind man gains spiritual sight and recognizes Jesus, while the physically sighted religious leaders remain spiritually blind, unable or unwilling to perceive the truth. The **Personal Encounter** between Jesus and the man, emphasized by "talketh with thee," serves as a literary device to highlight the transformative power of a direct relationship with the divine. This personal address makes the revelation deeply impactful and relatable.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 9:37 is a profound theological statement on the nature of divine revelation and the response of human faith. It underscores that Jesus is not merely a miracle worker or a prophet, but the very Son of God, who actively seeks out and reveals Himself to those who genuinely believe and suffer for His name. This direct self-disclosure signifies the culmination of the man's journey from physical blindness to spiritual illumination, demonstrating that true sight is not merely physical but the recognition of Jesus' divine identity. Theologically, it resonates with the Johannine theme of Jesus as the Light of the World, illuminating those in spiritual darkness, and highlights the intimate, personal nature of God's relationship with His chosen ones, especially those rejected by the world.

* [John 14:9](/john/14-9 "John 14:9 - Seeing Jesus is Seeing the Father")
* [Matthew 16:16-17](/matthew/16-16-17 "Matthew 16:16-17 - Peter's Confession and Divine Revelation")
* [John 1:18](/john/1-18 "John 1:18 - The Son Reveals the Father")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 9:37 offers a powerful blueprint for our own spiritual journeys. It reminds us that Jesus actively pursues those who are marginalized, misunderstood, or cast out for their faith. When our convictions about Christ lead to rejection or isolation, this verse assures us that Jesus Himself will draw near to affirm and deepen our understanding of His identity. It challenges us to cultivate a genuine, seeking faith, like the man born blind, who, despite adversity, desired to know the Son of God. This passage encourages us to move beyond merely acknowledging Jesus' miracles or teachings to a profound, personal recognition of His divine personhood. It also prompts us to examine our own "spiritual sight": are we truly open to seeing Jesus for who He is, or do we, like the Pharisees, allow pride, preconceptions, or worldly affiliations to blind us to His truth and active presence in our lives? The reward for genuine seeking and believing is always a deeper, more intimate revelation of Christ Himself.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the man's journey from physical healing to spiritual understanding mirror or challenge your own faith journey?**
* **In what ways might you be "spiritually blind" to aspects of Jesus' identity or work in your life, similar to the Pharisees?**
* **When have you felt marginalized or rejected for your faith, and how does Jesus' seeking out of the blind man encourage you in those moments?**
* **What does it mean for you personally that Jesus "talketh with thee" – that He desires a direct, intimate revelation to you?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus wait until this moment to reveal His identity as the Son of God?**

Answer: Jesus' timing in revealing His identity was often strategic, dependent on the individual's readiness and the context. In this case, the man born blind had demonstrated remarkable faith, courage, and perseverance. He had publicly confessed Jesus as a prophet and defended Him against the hostile religious authorities, even suffering excommunication for his testimony ([John 9:34](/john/9-34 "John 9:34 - The Man Excommunicated")). This suffering and unwavering commitment prepared his heart to receive such a profound truth. Jesus often revealed Himself more fully to those who had already taken steps of faith and were willing to pay a cost for following Him, as seen in His interactions with the Samaritan woman ([John 4:26](/john/4-26 "John 4:26 - Jesus Reveals Himself to the Samaritan Woman")) or His disciples ([Matthew 16:16-17](/matthew/16-16-17 "Matthew 16:16-17 - Peter's Confession")). The revelation in [John 9:37](/john/9-37 "John 9:37 - Jesus Reveals His Identity") is a reward for his steadfastness and a confirmation of his true spiritual sight.

**What is the significance of the title "Son of God" in this context?**

Answer: The title "Son of God" is a crucial Christological designation in the Gospel of John, signifying Jesus' unique divine nature, His intimate relationship with the Father, and His messianic identity. For the man born blind, recognizing Jesus as the "Son of God" meant acknowledging His divine origin, authority, and power, far beyond that of a mere prophet or healer. It implies that Jesus is of the same essence as God, possessing divine attributes and capable of performing works only God could do, such as giving sight to one born blind ([John 9:32](/john/9-32 "John 9:32 - Unprecedented Healing")). This confession is the apex of true faith in John's Gospel, leading to eternal life ([John 20:31](/john/20-31 "John 20:31 - Purpose of John's Gospel")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 9:37 powerfully encapsulates the Christ-centered nature of salvation and revelation. Jesus, the Light of the World ([John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World")), not only restores physical sight but, more profoundly, grants spiritual illumination. This act foreshadows His ultimate mission to open the eyes of those spiritually blind due to sin and unbelief, fulfilling prophecies of the Messiah bringing light and healing ([Isaiah 35:5](/isaiah/35-5 "Isaiah 35:5 - Eyes of the Blind Opened")). The personal encounter and direct revelation of His identity as the Son of God in this verse are central to the Gospel's purpose: that by believing in Him, we may have life in His name ([John 20:31](/john/20-31 "John 20:31 - Purpose of John's Gospel")). Jesus' active pursuit of the man, who was cast out by the religious establishment, perfectly illustrates His role as the Good Shepherd who seeks out the lost sheep ([Luke 15:4-7](/luke/15-4-7 "Luke 15:4-7 - The Parable of the Lost Sheep")) and the one who came to save, not condemn ([John 3:17](/john/3-17 "John 3:17 - God Sent His Son to Save")). Ultimately, this moment points to Jesus as the full and final revelation of God, for "no one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known" ([John 1:18](/john/1-18 "John 1:18 - The Son Reveals the Father")). The one who "talketh with thee" is the very Word made flesh, through whom all things were made and in whom is life and light ([John 1:1-4](/john/1-1-4 "John 1:1-4 - The Word Became Flesh")).

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 4:26

Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am [he].

Psalms 25:8

¶ Good and upright [is] the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way.

Psalms 25:9

The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.

John 7:17

If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or [whether] I speak of myself.

Psalms 25:14

The secret of the LORD [is] with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.

Matthew 11:25

¶ At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.

John 14:21

He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.