John 9:38

And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.

And {G1161} he said {G5346}, Lord {G2962}, I believe {G4100}. And {G2532} he worshipped {G4352} him {G846}.

“Lord, I trust!” he said, and he kneeled down in front of him.

“Lord, I believe,” he said. And he worshiped Jesus.

And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.

Commentary

John 9:38 marks a pivotal moment in the narrative of the man born blind, healed miraculously by Jesus. After enduring intense scrutiny and expulsion from the synagogue by the spiritually blind Pharisees, this verse captures the man's profound confession of faith and immediate act of worship.

Context

This verse is the climax of the ninth chapter of John's Gospel, which details the healing of a man born blind (John 9:1-7). The man's journey from physical blindness to sight, and then from spiritual ignorance to profound understanding, is central. After his healing, he faced relentless interrogation from the Jewish leaders who questioned Jesus' authority and the legitimacy of the miracle. Despite their attempts to discredit Jesus and intimidate him, the man boldly defended his Healer, ultimately leading to his excommunication from the synagogue (John 9:34). It is immediately after this expulsion that Jesus finds him, asks if he believes in the Son of God, and reveals His own identity (John 9:35-37).

Key Themes

  • Confession of Faith: The man's declaration, "Lord, I believe," is a powerful statement of personal faith in Jesus. It signifies not just intellectual assent but a complete trust and acceptance of who Jesus is. This echoes the concept of confessing with the mouth unto salvation.
  • Authentic Worship: The immediate response of "And he worshipped him" is highly significant. In Jewish culture, worship (proskyneo in Greek) was reserved for God alone. By worshipping Jesus, the man acknowledges Jesus' divine nature and authority, a stark contrast to the Pharisees who rejected Him despite witnessing undeniable miracles. This act of worship is a profound testament to Jesus' true identity as the Son of God.
  • Spiritual Sight: While the Pharisees, who claimed spiritual insight, remained spiritually blind, the once physically blind man gained both physical and spiritual sight. His journey illustrates that true spiritual understanding comes through humble acceptance of Jesus, not through religious pride or adherence to rigid traditions. This theme is further explored in John 9:39-41.

Linguistic Insights

The term "Lord" (Greek: Kyrios) used by the healed man can mean 'sir' or 'master', but coupled with the act of worship, it clearly signifies a recognition of Jesus' divine sovereignty. The word "worshipped" (Greek: proskyneo) literally means "to prostrate oneself before," indicating deep reverence and homage, an act reserved for deity. This is a crucial moment where Jesus accepts worship, reinforcing His claim to be God.

Practical Application

This verse provides a powerful model for faith. Like the man born blind, our journey of faith may involve facing opposition or being outcast for our belief in Jesus. However, true spiritual sight and understanding are found in a personal encounter with Christ, leading to genuine confession and heartfelt worship. The story encourages believers to boldly declare their faith and to worship Jesus as Lord, even when it comes at a cost, knowing that He seeks out and reveals Himself to those who truly believe.

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

  • Matthew 28:9

    And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.

  • Matthew 14:33

    Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.

  • Psalms 2:12

    Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish [from] the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed [are] all they that put their trust in him.

  • Matthew 28:17

    And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.

  • John 20:28

    And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

  • Luke 24:52

    And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:

  • Revelation 5:9

    And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
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