John 9:40

And [some] of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also?

And {G2532} some of {G1537} the Pharisees {G5330} which {G3588} were {G5607} with {G3326} him {G846} heard {G191} these words {G5023}, and {G2532} said {G2036} unto him {G846}, Are {G3361}{G2070} we {G2249} blind {G5185} also {G2532}?

Some of the P’rushim nearby heard this and said to him, “So we’re blind too, are we?”

Some of the Pharisees who were with Him heard this, and they asked Him, “Are we blind too?”

Those of the Pharisees who were with him heard these things, and said unto him, Are we also blind?

Commentary

Commentary on John 9:40 (KJV)

John 9:40 captures a pivotal moment in the ongoing confrontation between Jesus and the religious leaders of His day, specifically the Pharisees. This verse immediately follows Jesus' profound statement about spiritual judgment, where He declared that He came into the world "that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind" (John 9:39).

Context

This verse is part of the extensive narrative in John chapter 9, which details Jesus' miraculous healing of a man born blind. The miracle sparked intense scrutiny from the Pharisees, who were more concerned with upholding their rigid interpretations of the Law (especially regarding the Sabbath, as the healing occurred on it) than with acknowledging God's power at work. After thoroughly questioning the healed man and his parents, and eventually casting the man out of the synagogue, the Pharisees' spiritual blindness became increasingly evident. Jesus then sought out the man, who confessed faith in Him, and then made the statement about judgment that provoked the Pharisees' defensive question in verse 40.

Key Themes

  • Spiritual Blindness vs. Physical Sight: The chapter vividly contrasts the physical blindness of the man who received sight with the profound spiritual blindness of the Pharisees who claimed to "see" but were unwilling to acknowledge the truth about Jesus. Their question, "Are we blind also?", is laced with irony and self-righteousness.
  • Pride and Self-Deception: The Pharisees' inquiry is not a genuine desire for understanding or self-reflection, but rather a defensive challenge. They believed themselves to be the spiritual guides of the nation, full of insight and knowledge of the Law. Their question reveals their immense pride and inability to admit their own spiritual deficiency.
  • Judgment by Truth: Jesus' presence and His words served as a dividing line. Those who recognized their need for spiritual light received it, while those who insisted they already possessed it remained in darkness. The Pharisees, by claiming to see, sealed their own spiritual state of blindness (as Jesus explains in the next verse, John 9:41).
  • Rejection of Revelation: Despite overwhelming evidence from the miracle and the testimony of the healed man, the Pharisees actively resisted and rejected the divine revelation presented through Jesus. Their blindness was a chosen state, not an imposed one.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "blind" used here is typhlos (τυφλός), which literally means physically blind. However, throughout this chapter, and particularly in verses like 9:39-41, Jesus masterfully uses it metaphorically to describe spiritual inability to perceive truth. The Pharisees' question, "Are we blind also?", uses the same word, highlighting their failure to grasp the deeper, spiritual meaning of Jesus' words.

Practical Application

John 9:40 serves as a powerful warning against spiritual pride and self-righteousness. It challenges us to examine our own hearts and ask if we are truly open to God's truth, or if we, like the Pharisees, are so convinced of our own understanding that we miss what God is doing. True spiritual sight begins with acknowledging our own need for God's light and a willingness to humble ourselves before Him (James 4:6). This verse reminds us that it is often those who think they "see" the clearest who are in the most profound darkness, especially if their "sight" leads them to reject Christ.

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

  • Revelation 3:17 (4 votes)

    Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

  • Matthew 15:12 (3 votes)

    Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?

  • Matthew 15:14 (3 votes)

    Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

  • Matthew 23:16 (2 votes)

    Woe unto you, [ye] blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!

  • Matthew 23:28 (2 votes)

    Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

  • Romans 2:19 (2 votes)

    And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness,

  • Romans 2:22 (2 votes)

    Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?