John 9:7

And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.

And {G2532} said {G2036} unto him {G846}, Go {G5217}, wash {G3538} in {G1519} the pool {G2861} of Siloam {G4611},(which {G3739} is by interpretation {G2059}, Sent {G649}.) He went his way {G565} therefore {G3767}, and {G2532} washed {G3538}, and {G2532} came {G2064} seeing {G991}.

and said to him, “Go, wash off in the Pool of Shiloach!” (The name means “sent.”) So he went and washed and came away seeing.

Then He told him, “Go, wash in the Pool of Siloam” (which means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came back seeing.

and said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam (which is by interpretation, Sent). He went away therefore, and washed, and came seeing.

Commentary

John 9:7 (KJV): "And said unto him, ‹Go, wash in the pool of Siloam,› (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing."

Context

This verse is a pivotal moment in the narrative of Jesus healing a man born blind, detailed in John chapter 9. Prior to this command, Jesus had made clay by mixing His spittle with dust and applying it to the man's eyes (John 9:6). The instruction to "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam" was the final, crucial step in this miraculous healing process. The Pool of Siloam was a real, well-known reservoir in Jerusalem, fed by the Gihon Spring via Hezekiah's Tunnel, serving as a vital water source for the city, especially during festivals. The Jewish community often debated the causes of congenital blindness, frequently attributing it to sin (John 9:2), making this healing even more profound and controversial.

Key Themes

  • Obedience and Faith: The man's complete restoration of sight hinged entirely on his obedience to Jesus' specific, seemingly unusual instruction. He did not question or hesitate; he simply "went his way therefore, and washed." This act of immediate compliance demonstrates a profound level of faith, highlighting that faith without works is dead if not accompanied by action.
  • Divine Authority and Healing: Jesus' ability to heal a man born blind, a condition considered incurable, powerfully demonstrates His divine authority and power over physical limitations. This miracle serves as a sign, pointing to Jesus as the Messiah and the Son of God.
  • Symbolism of Siloam ("Sent"): The parenthetical explanation "which is by interpretation, Sent" is highly significant. Just as the pool's name means "Sent," Jesus Himself is the ultimate One "Sent" by the Father into the world to save it (John 3:17). The act of washing in the pool of Siloam thus symbolizes receiving spiritual cleansing and enlightenment from the One whom God has sent.
  • Physical and Spiritual Sight: The physical healing of the man's eyes foreshadows the spiritual sight he gains later in the chapter when he recognizes Jesus as the Son of God (John 9:35-38). The miracle is not just about restoring physical vision but also about opening the eyes of the heart to spiritual truth.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for Siloam is Siloam (Σιλωάμ), which accurately reflects the Hebrew name Shiloah (שִׁלֹחַ), meaning "sent" or "sending out." This linguistic detail, explicitly highlighted by John, is crucial for understanding the theological depth of the passage. It connects the pool to the concept of a divine messenger or one commissioned by God, drawing a direct parallel to Jesus' own mission on Earth.

Practical Application

John 9:7 offers several timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Trust and Obedience: Are we willing to obey God's instructions, even when they seem illogical or unconventional to our human understanding? The blind man's story reminds us that God's methods may differ from ours, but His commands are always for our good.
  • Spiritual Blindness: Just as the man was physically blind, many people today are spiritually blind to the truth of the Gospel. Jesus, who declared Himself the "light of the world," offers to open our spiritual eyes and lead us out of darkness into His marvelous light.
  • God's Unconventional Ways: God often uses simple acts or seemingly ordinary means to accomplish extraordinary things. We should not limit God by our expectations of how He should work. His power is revealed even in acts like washing in a pool.
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

  • Isaiah 35:5

    ¶ Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.

  • John 11:37

    And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?

  • John 9:11

    He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight.

  • Acts 26:18

    To open their eyes, [and] to turn [them] from darkness to light, and [from] the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

  • Isaiah 8:6

    Forasmuch as this people refuseth the waters of Shiloah that go softly, and rejoice in Rezin and Remaliah's son;

  • Psalms 146:8

    The LORD openeth [the eyes of] the blind: the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down: the LORD loveth the righteous:

  • Nehemiah 3:15

    But the gate of the fountain repaired Shallun the son of Colhozeh, the ruler of part of Mizpah; he built it, and covered it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof, and the wall of the pool of Siloah by the king's garden, and unto the stairs that go down from the city of David.
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