John 9:38

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 9:38 marks the profound culmination of the spiritual journey of the man born blind, who, after receiving physical sight from Jesus, endures intense interrogation and excommunication from the Jewish religious authorities. Despite being cast out for his unwavering testimony, he is sought out by Jesus, confesses his belief in the Son of God, and responds with an immediate, decisive act of worship, thereby gaining full spiritual sight and affirming Jesus' divine identity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the climactic spiritual turning point in the narrative of [John 9](/john/9 "John 9 - Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind"). The chapter opens with Jesus deliberately initiating the healing of a man born blind, an act performed on the Sabbath ([John 9:1-7](/john/9-1-7 "John 9:1-7 - Jesus Heals the Man Born Blind")). This miraculous healing immediately provokes a series of interrogations by the Pharisees, who are more concerned with upholding their rigid interpretations of the law and discrediting Jesus than with celebrating the miracle. The healed man, despite his simple background, displays remarkable courage and theological insight in defending Jesus against the escalating hostility of the Jewish leaders ([John 9:8-34](/john/9-8-34 "John 9:8-34 - The Pharisees Interrogate the Healed Man")). His steadfast testimony ultimately leads to his expulsion from the synagogue ([John 9:34](/john/9-34 "John 9:34 - The Man Excommunicated")), a severe social and religious penalty. It is precisely at this moment of isolation that Jesus, the Good Shepherd, seeks him out, reveals His identity as the Son of God, and elicits this powerful confession and act of worship ([John 9:35-37](/john/9-35-37 "John 9:35-37 - Jesus Reveals Himself to the Man")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The act of excommunication from the synagogue, as experienced by the healed man, was a devastating social and religious punishment in first-century Jewish society. It meant ostracism from the community, loss of religious privileges, and often, economic hardship. The Pharisees, as a dominant religious sect, held significant authority in interpreting the Mosaic Law and enforcing religious purity. Their rigid adherence to Sabbath laws meant that Jesus' healing on the Sabbath was seen as a transgression, not a miracle, challenging their authority and legalistic framework. Furthermore, the concept of worship (`proskynéō`) was deeply significant; it was an act reserved exclusively for God. For a Jew to worship another human being was considered idolatry. Therefore, the man's act of worshipping Jesus, and Jesus' acceptance of that worship, carried profound theological implications, signaling Jesus' claim to divinity and the man's recognition of it.
* **Key Themes:** [John 9](/john/9 "John 9 - Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind") is rich with thematic contrasts, particularly between **physical and spiritual sight**. The man born blind gains physical sight, but more importantly, he progresses to spiritual insight, recognizing Jesus as Lord and God, while the physically sighted Pharisees remain spiritually blind to Jesus' true identity ([John 9:39-41](/john/9-39-41 "John 9:39-41 - Jesus Condemns Spiritual Blindness")). Another prominent theme is the **escalation of faith**. The man's understanding of Jesus evolves from "a man" ([John 9:11](/john/9-11 "John 9:11 - The Man's Initial Testimony")) to "a prophet" ([John 9:17](/john/9-17 "John 9:17 - The Man Calls Jesus a Prophet")) to "from God" ([John 9:33](/john/9-33 "John 9:33 - The Man's Bold Defense")) and finally to "Lord" and "Son of God" ([John 9:35-38](/john/9-35-38 "John 9:35-38 - The Man's Confession and Worship")). This journey highlights that true faith is a process of revelation and response. The chapter also underscores the **cost of discipleship** and the **consequences of rejecting divine truth**, as seen in the man's excommunication and the Pharisees' deepening spiritual darkness.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Lord (Greek, _kýrios'_):** From the Strong's G2962, this word signifies "supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title)." While it can be used as a polite address like "Sir," the context of the man's subsequent act of worship elevates its meaning here to a recognition of Jesus' divine sovereignty and authority, acknowledging Him as God.
* **believe (Greek, _pisteúō'_):** From the Strong's G4100, this term means "to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to Christ)." The man's declaration of belief is not merely intellectual assent but a profound act of trust and commitment, entrusting his entire spiritual well-being to Jesus, the one who has just revealed Himself as the Son of God.
* **worshipped (Greek, _proskynéō'_):** From the Strong's G4352, this word literally means "to fawn or crouch to, i.e. (literally or figuratively) prostrate oneself in homage (do reverence to, adore)." In Jewish culture, this act was reserved exclusively for God. The man's prostration before Jesus, and Jesus' acceptance of this worship, is a clear and unequivocal affirmation of Jesus' divine nature and identity as the Son of God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he said, Lord, I believe."**: This opening phrase captures the man's immediate and unreserved response to Jesus' self-revelation as the Son of Man (which Jesus clarifies is the Son of God in [John 9:37](/john/9-37 "John 9:37 - Jesus Reveals His Identity")). His use of "Lord" (Kyrios) transcends a mere respectful address, especially when paired with his declaration of belief. It signifies a profound recognition of Jesus' authority and divine nature, moving beyond intellectual acknowledgment to personal trust and commitment. This confession is the climax of his escalating faith throughout the chapter.
* **"And he worshipped him."**: This is the pivotal act of the verse. In Jewish tradition, worship (`proskynéō`) was an act of profound reverence reserved solely for God. By prostrating himself before Jesus and offering worship, the man unequivocally acknowledges Jesus' divinity. Crucially, Jesus accepts this worship, which only God can legitimately do. This act stands in stark contrast to the Pharisees' rejection of Jesus; the man, once physically blind, now possesses full spiritual sight, recognizing and adoring his Creator and Redeemer.

#### Literary Devices
The verse powerfully employs **Irony** and **Contrast**. The irony lies in the fact that the man, born blind and considered a sinner by the religious elite, is the one who truly "sees" Jesus for who He is, while the sighted, self-proclaimed spiritual guides (the Pharisees) remain stubbornly blind to the truth. This is a stark **Contrast** between genuine faith and religious pride. Furthermore, the man's journey from physical darkness to spiritual light serves as a **Symbolism** for the broader human condition and the transformative power of encountering Christ. His act of worship is not merely a physical gesture but a symbolic representation of a heart fully surrendered to divine truth.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 9:38 is a profound theological statement on the nature of true faith and the deity of Christ. The man's confession and worship demonstrate that genuine belief involves not just intellectual assent to facts about Jesus, but a personal entrusting of one's life to Him, culminating in adoration. This act of worship, accepted by Jesus, is a powerful testimony to His divine identity, placing Him on par with God the Father. It illustrates that spiritual sight is granted to the humble and receptive, regardless of their social standing or past, while those who pridefully cling to their own understanding remain in darkness. This verse underscores that the proper response to divine revelation is humble submission and heartfelt worship.

* [Matthew 14:33](/matthew/14-33 "Matthew 14:33 - Disciples Worship Jesus")
* [Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9-11 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Jesus' Exaltation and Universal Worship")
* [Revelation 5:11-14](/revelation/5-11-14 "Revelation 5:11-14 - Heavenly Worship of the Lamb")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The journey of the man born blind, culminating in his confession and worship in [John 9:38](/john/9-38 "John 9:38 - The Man Born Blind Worships Jesus"), offers a powerful blueprint for our own faith. Like him, we are called to move beyond mere intellectual acknowledgment of Jesus to a deep, personal, and transformative belief that leads to authentic worship. This story reminds us that true spiritual sight often comes through humble acceptance and a willingness to stand for truth, even when it means facing opposition or being ostracized by those who claim religious authority. Our faith should be bold enough to declare Jesus as Lord and our worship genuine enough to prostrate our hearts before Him, recognizing His supreme authority and divine nature. In a world that often pressures us to conform or compromise our beliefs, this man's unwavering devotion serves as an inspiring example of costly discipleship and the profound joy found in truly seeing and worshipping Jesus.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the man's journey from physical to spiritual sight challenge my own understanding of what it means to "see" Jesus?**
* **In what ways do I, like the Pharisees, sometimes allow my preconceived notions or religious traditions to hinder my full recognition and worship of Jesus?**
* **What is the cost of my discipleship, and am I willing to face opposition or exclusion for my unwavering belief in Jesus as Lord?**
* **How can my daily life reflect a deeper, more authentic worship of Jesus, moving beyond mere ritual to heartfelt adoration?**

### FAQ
**Why is the man's act of worship so significant in this verse?**

Answer: The man's act of worship (`proskynéō`) is profoundly significant because, in Jewish culture, such an act of prostration and homage was reserved exclusively for God. By worshipping Jesus, the man unequivocally acknowledges Jesus' divine nature and authority. Crucially, Jesus accepts this worship, which further reinforces His claim to be God, distinguishing Him from any mere prophet or human teacher. This moment serves as a powerful theological statement about Jesus' identity as the Son of God, worthy of ultimate adoration, and stands in stark contrast to the spiritual blindness of the religious leaders who refused to acknowledge Him despite His miracles ([John 9:39-41](/john/9-39-41 "John 9:39-41 - Jesus Condemns Spiritual Blindness")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[John 9:38](/john/9-38 "John 9:38 - The Man Born Blind Worships Jesus") beautifully encapsulates the Christ-centered fulfillment of spiritual revelation. The man born blind, healed by the Son of God, moves from physical sight to profound spiritual insight, culminating in his confession of Jesus as "Lord" and his act of worship. This mirrors the ultimate purpose of Christ's coming: to open the eyes of the spiritually blind, to reveal the Father, and to draw all people to Himself for salvation and worship. 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 vision but also grants the capacity for true spiritual discernment, enabling individuals to recognize His divine authority and respond with the worship due to God alone. His acceptance of this worship foreshadows His ultimate exaltation, where "every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" ([Philippians 2:10-11](/philippians/2-10-11 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Jesus' Exaltation and Universal Worship")). The man's journey from outcast to worshipper is a microcosm of the gospel's power to transform lives and bring humanity into a right relationship with its Creator, through the person of Jesus Christ, the one true object of our faith and adoration ([Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Looking to Jesus, the Founder and Perfecter of Our 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

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;