John 9:41

KJV

Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.

KJV (with Strong's)

Jesus {G2424} said {G2036} unto them {G846}, If {G1487} ye were {G2258} blind {G5185}, ye should {G302} have {G2192} no {G3756} sin {G266}: but {G1161} now {G3568} ye say {G3004},{G3754} We see {G991}; therefore {G3767} your {G5216} sin {G266} remaineth {G3306}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yeshua answered them, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin. But since you still say, ‘We see,’ your guilt remains.

Berean Standard Bible

“If you were blind,” Jesus replied, “you would not be guilty of sin. But since you claim you can see, your guilt remains.”

American Standard Version

Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye would have no sin: but now ye say, We see: your sin remaineth.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Jesus confronts the self-righteous Pharisees, who, despite their physical sight and claims of spiritual understanding, remained stubbornly blind to His divine identity and works. He declares that if they were truly ignorant, their sin might be excused, but because they asserted their spiritual insight yet rejected the undeniable truth revealed through His healing of the man born blind, their sin—specifically their willful unbelief and rejection of the Messiah—persists and condemns them. This verse powerfully underscores the profound spiritual danger of intellectual and religious pride that resists divine revelation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the climactic conclusion to the dramatic narrative of the man born blind in [John 9](/john/9 "John 9 - The Healing of the Man Born Blind"). Jesus' healing of the man on the Sabbath ([John 9:6-7](/john/9-6-7 "John 9:6-7 - Jesus Heals the Blind Man")) triggers a series of interrogations by the Pharisees, who are more concerned with upholding their legalistic interpretations of the Sabbath law and discrediting Jesus than with celebrating a miraculous restoration. The healed man's courageous testimony and subsequent excommunication ([John 9:34](/john/9-34 "John 9:34 - The Man Born Blind Excommunicated")) highlight the spiritual chasm between genuine faith and religious hypocrisy. Jesus then seeks out the excommunicated man, revealing Himself as the Son of Man ([John 9:35-37](/john/9-35-37 "John 9:35-37 - Jesus Reveals Himself to the Healed Man")), leading to the man's worship. The Pharisees' arrival and their rhetorical question, "Are we blind also?" ([John 9:40](/john/9-40 "John 9:40 - The Pharisees' Question")), directly provoke Jesus' searing indictment in [John 9:41](/john/9-41 "John 9:41 - Jesus' Condemnation of Spiritual Pride"), exposing their spiritual condition.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Pharisees were a prominent Jewish religious sect known for their strict adherence to the Mosaic Law and oral traditions. They held significant influence among the people and considered themselves the authoritative interpreters of God's will. Their spiritual authority was often tied to their perceived knowledge and meticulous observance. In this context, claiming to "see" implied not just physical sight but profound spiritual insight and a correct understanding of God's ways and the Scriptures. For them to admit "blindness" would be to concede ignorance and relinquish their perceived spiritual superiority. The act of excommunication (being "cast out of the synagogue") was a severe social and religious penalty, isolating an individual from the community and its spiritual life, underscoring the power the Pharisees wielded and their determination to suppress any challenge to their authority, especially from Jesus.

* **Key Themes:** [John 9:41](/john/9-41 "John 9:41 - Jesus' Condemnation of Spiritual Pride") powerfully encapsulates several key themes woven throughout the Gospel of John and this chapter. The central theme is the stark contrast between **physical sight and spiritual blindness**, where those with physical sight (the Pharisees) are spiritually blind, and the physically blind man gains spiritual insight. This highlights Jesus as the **"Light of the World"** ([John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World")), who exposes darkness and offers true illumination. Another prominent theme is the **danger of spiritual pride and self-righteousness**, as the Pharisees' boast of "seeing" prevents them from recognizing God's work in Jesus. Finally, the verse underscores the principle of **accountability for revealed truth**. Because the Pharisees had ample evidence of Jesus' divine authority and chose to reject it, their sin "remaineth," emphasizing that greater knowledge brings greater responsibility ([Luke 12:48](/luke/12-48 "Luke 12:48 - To Whom Much Is Given")). Their **willful rejection of revelation** leads to persistent guilt and condemnation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **blind (Greek, _typhlós'_):** This word means opaque, as if smoky, and by analogy, blind, either physically or mentally. In [John 9:41](/john/9-41 "John 9:41 - Jesus' Condemnation of Spiritual Pride"), Jesus uses it metaphorically to describe a state of spiritual ignorance or inability to perceive divine truth. To be truly "blind" in this sense would imply an excusable lack of understanding.
* **see (Greek, _blépō'_):** A primary verb meaning to look at, literally or figuratively; to behold, perceive, or regard. Here, it signifies not merely physical sight but a claim to spiritual discernment, understanding, and insight into God's will and the Messiah's identity. The Pharisees boast of possessing this spiritual "seeing."
* **sin (Greek, _hamartía'_):** Properly abstract, meaning a sin or an offense. In this context, it refers not just to individual transgressions but to the underlying state of unbelief and rebellion against God, particularly their rejection of Jesus as the Messiah. Jesus states that their "sin" remains, indicating an unpardoned state of guilt.
* **remaineth (Greek, _ménō'_):** A primary verb meaning to stay, abide, continue, dwell, endure, or be present. Here, it emphasizes the persistence and unremoved nature of their sin. Because they claim to "see" yet reject the truth, their guilt is not excused or taken away; it continues to rest upon them.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"If ye were blind, ye should have no sin:"** Jesus presents a hypothetical condition. If the Pharisees were genuinely ignorant or incapable of understanding spiritual truth (truly "blind" in a way that excused them), their sin—their unbelief and rejection—might be mitigated or not held against them in the same way. This acknowledges that unintentional ignorance can lessen culpability.
* **"but now ye say, We see;"** This clause highlights the Pharisees' self-proclaimed spiritual insight and knowledge. They assert their understanding of God's law and their ability to discern truth. This statement is a boast of their spiritual superiority and a direct contradiction to their actual spiritual state, as revealed by their rejection of Jesus.
* **"therefore your sin remaineth."** Because they claim to "see" and possess knowledge, yet willfully reject the clear evidence of Jesus' divine authority and identity, their sin is not excused. Instead, it persists and condemns them. Their self-proclaimed sight, coupled with their rejection of the Light, confirms their guilt and leaves them without excuse, bound by their unbelief.

#### Literary Devices
Jesus employs powerful **Irony** in this verse, contrasting the physically blind man who gains spiritual sight with the physically sighted Pharisees who are spiritually blind. The Pharisees' boast, "We see," is met with a damning judgment that their very claim to sight is what condemns them. This creates a sharp **Paradox**, where knowledge (or the claim to it) leads to greater sin rather than righteousness. The statement also functions as a **Chiasm** in its underlying structure: "Blind (A) -> No Sin (B) :: See (B') -> Sin Remains (A')." This rhetorical structure emphasizes the reversal of their expected spiritual state. Furthermore, Jesus uses **Metaphor** extensively, with "blindness" and "seeing" representing spiritual states of understanding or ignorance, and "sin" representing their deep-seated unbelief and rejection of Him.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly speaks to the nature of spiritual discernment and accountability. It teaches that true spiritual sight is a gift from God, not an achievement of human intellect or religious observance. Those who genuinely humble themselves, like the man born blind, receive this sight and are freed from the burden of sin. Conversely, those who pridefully claim to "see" but willfully reject God's revelation, especially in the person of Jesus Christ, are left in a state where their sin is not forgiven but "remaineth." This highlights the critical theological truth that the greatest barrier to salvation is often not ignorance, but rather self-righteousness and the refusal to acknowledge one's need for divine illumination. The judgment pronounced here is not arbitrary but a direct consequence of their active and persistent rejection of the Light.

* [Luke 12:48](/luke/12-48 "Luke 12:48 - To Whom Much Is Given") - "But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more."
* [John 3:19](/john/3-19 "John 3:19 - Judgment for Rejecting Light") - "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil."
* [Romans 1:20](/romans/1-20 "Romans 1:20 - Inexcusable Ignorance") - "For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:"

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[John 9:41](/john/9-41 "John 9:41 - Jesus' Condemnation of Spiritual Pride") serves as a timeless warning against spiritual arrogance and a call to radical humility before God. It challenges us to examine our own hearts: do we truly "see" with spiritual eyes opened by Christ, or do we, like the Pharisees, cling to our own perceived wisdom, religious traditions, or intellectual prowess, thereby blinding ourselves to new truths or areas where God might be calling us to change? Our accountability before God is directly tied to the light we have received. If we have been exposed to the Gospel and the person of Jesus Christ, yet choose to reject Him or live in defiance of His truth, our sin is not excused but remains. This verse compels us to continually seek God's illumination, confess our spiritual shortcomings, and remain open to His transformative work, rather than resting on past knowledge or self-righteous claims.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life or spiritual understanding might I be claiming to "see" clearly, yet potentially be spiritually blind?**
* **How does spiritual pride manifest in my own life, and what steps can I take to cultivate greater humility before God?**
* **Am I truly open to new revelation from God's Word and Spirit, even if it challenges my existing beliefs or comforts?**
* **Considering the accountability for truth, how does my response to the Gospel reflect my understanding of Jesus as the Light of the World?**

### FAQ

**What does Jesus mean by "If ye were blind, ye should have no sin?"**

Answer: Jesus is not suggesting that physical blindness literally excuses sin. Instead, He is using the concept of "blindness" metaphorically to refer to genuine, excusable ignorance. If the Pharisees were truly incapable of understanding or had no access to the truth about His identity and works, their rejection of Him might be considered an unintentional error, and thus their sin would not "remain" in the same damning way. However, their claim to "see" (i.e., their assertion of spiritual knowledge and authority) means they had sufficient light and evidence to recognize Him, yet they willfully chose to reject it. Therefore, their sin is not excused but persists. This highlights that responsibility increases with knowledge and revelation.

**Why did their sin "remain" if they claimed to "see"?**

Answer: Their sin remained precisely *because* they claimed to "see" yet deliberately rejected the truth. They were not ignorant; they were informed, educated, and had witnessed undeniable miracles, including the healing of the man born blind in [John 9](/john/9 "John 9 - The Healing of the Man Born Blind"). Their "seeing" implied they had sufficient knowledge and understanding of the Scriptures and God's ways to recognize the Messiah. Their refusal to acknowledge Jesus, despite overwhelming evidence, was a willful act of unbelief and spiritual pride. This active rejection of the Light meant their guilt was not removed or forgiven but continued to rest upon them, leading to condemnation. As [John 3:19](/john/3-19 "John 3:19 - Judgment for Rejecting Light") states, "light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[John 9:41](/john/9-41 "John 9:41 - Jesus' Condemnation of Spiritual Pride") finds its Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus' role as the ultimate revealer of truth and the sole source of spiritual sight. He is the "Light of the World" ([John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World")), who came not only to heal physical blindness but, more importantly, to open the eyes of the spiritually blind. The Pharisees' condemnation underscores that true spiritual sight is not a product of human intellect, religious adherence, or self-proclaimed wisdom, but a gracious gift bestowed by Christ. Those who humble themselves, acknowledging their spiritual blindness and need for Him, receive this gift, leading to salvation and the forgiveness of sins ([Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Grace Through Faith")). Conversely, those who, like the Pharisees, boast of their own sight and reject the Light, remain in their sin, facing the judgment that comes from willful unbelief. Jesus' words here foreshadow His ultimate work on the cross, where He would bear the sin of the world, offering true cleansing and sight to all who believe, ensuring that their sin would *not* remain, but be taken away by the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God").

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

Isaiah 5:21

Woe unto [them that are] wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!

John 15:22

If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin.

John 15:24

If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.

1 John 1:8

¶ If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

1 John 1:10

If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Luke 18:14

I tell you, this man went down to his house justified [rather] than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Hebrews 10:26

For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,