John 9:16

Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them.

Therefore {G3767} said {G3004} some {G5100} of {G1537} the Pharisees {G5330}, This {G3778} man {G444} is {G2076} not {G3756} of {G3844} God {G2316}, because {G3754} he keepeth {G5083} not {G3756} the sabbath day {G4521}. Others {G243} said {G3004}, How {G4459} can {G1410} a man {G444} that is a sinner {G268} do {G4160} such {G5108} miracles {G4592}? And {G2532} there was {G2258} a division {G4978} among {G1722} them {G846}.

At this, some of the P’rushim said, “This man is not from God, because he doesn’t keep Shabbat.” But others said, “How could a man who is a sinner do miracles like these?” And there was a split among them.

Because of this, some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for He does not keep the Sabbath.” But others said, “How can a sinful man perform such signs?” And there was division among them.

Some therefore of the Pharisees said, This man is not from God, because he keepeth not the sabbath. But others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such signs? And there was a division among them.

Commentary

John 9:16 KJV describes a pivotal moment of contention among the Jewish religious leaders, specifically the Pharisees, following Jesus' miraculous healing of a man born blind (John 9:1-14). This verse encapsulates the deep division and varied reactions to Jesus' identity and actions.

Context

Prior to this verse, Jesus had healed a man who had been blind from birth, an unprecedented miracle. He performed this healing on the Sabbath day, which immediately drew the ire of certain Pharisees. The religious leaders were more concerned with their strict interpretations of the Sabbath law than with the divine power displayed or the profound compassion shown to the afflicted man. This verse highlights their internal debate and the escalating tension surrounding Jesus' ministry.

Key Themes

  • Sabbath Controversy: The primary point of contention was Jesus' perceived violation of the Sabbath. For some Pharisees, keeping the Sabbath was paramount, and any deviation, even for healing, disqualified Jesus from being "of God." This reveals a legalistic mindset that prioritized tradition over divine compassion and the spirit of the law. For more on Jesus' approach to the Sabbath, see Mark 2:27-28.
  • Jesus' Identity and Authority: The question "How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles?" underscores the dilemma for others. They recognized the undeniable power of the miracle, which suggested a divine source, yet struggled to reconcile it with their accusation of Him being a "sinner" for breaking their Sabbath traditions. This internal conflict reflects the ongoing debate about Jesus' true identity and authority.
  • Spiritual Blindness: Ironically, those who claimed to see and interpret God's law (the Pharisees) were spiritually blind to the clear signs of God's presence in Jesus. Their rigid adherence to rules prevented them from recognizing the Messiah.
  • Division: The verse explicitly states, "And there was a division among them." Jesus' ministry consistently created division, forcing people to confront their beliefs and choose a side. This foreshadows the broader split between those who accept Him and those who reject Him.

Linguistic Insights

The term "sabbath day" (Greek: sabbatō) refers to the day of rest, a divine institution. The dispute was not over the existence of the Sabbath but the Pharisees' detailed, often burdensome, interpretations of what constituted "work." The word "sinner" (Greek: hamartōlos) implies someone who habitually disregards God's law. The Pharisees' logic was that a true prophet or agent of God would not be a lawbreaker, especially concerning such a fundamental commandment.

Practical Application

John 9:16 reminds us that genuine faith involves looking beyond outward appearances or rigid traditions to recognize God's work. We must be careful not to let our interpretations or preconceived notions prevent us from seeing God's truth and power, especially when it challenges our comfort zones. The division among the Pharisees serves as a warning against spiritual pride and the danger of prioritizing human rules over divine compassion and the clear evidence of God's presence. It encourages us to seek understanding and truth, rather than clinging to positions that hinder our ability to perceive God's unfolding plan.

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Cross-References

  • John 10:19 (5 votes)

    ¶ There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings.

  • John 7:43 (5 votes)

    So there was a division among the people because of him.

  • John 3:2 (3 votes)

    The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

  • Matthew 12:2 (3 votes)

    But when the Pharisees saw [it], they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day.

  • John 7:12 (3 votes)

    And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people.

  • John 9:30 (2 votes)

    The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and [yet] he hath opened mine eyes.

  • John 9:33 (2 votes)

    If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.