Sin & Disability: The Man Born Blind (John 9:1-41)
A) Jesus & his disciples: relation
of sin & blindness (vv. 1-5)
B) Jesus & the blind person:
bringing the person to physical sight (vv. 6-7)
C1) neighbors & ex-blind person:
question of person's identity; process of healing (vv. 8-12)
D1) ex-blind person & the Pharisees:
discussion of Jesus' origin: from God? sinful? (vv. 13-17)
C2) parents & Jewish authorities:
question of person's identity; process of healing (vv. 18-23)
D2) ex-blind person & Jewish authorities:
discussion of Jesus' origin: from God? sinful? (vv. 24-34)
B') Jesus & the ex-blind person:
bringing the person to full spiritual insight (vv. 35-38)
A') Jesus & the Pharisees: relation
of sin & blindness (vv. 39-41)
The Blind Man Grows in his Belief (what he says about or to Jesus):
["How were your eyes opened?"] "The
man called Jesus made mud..." (v. 11)
["What do you say about him?"] "He is a
prophet." (v. 17)
"We know that God does not listen to sinners, but he does listen to
one who worships him and obeys his will. 32 Never since the world began
has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind. 33
If this man were not from God, he could
do nothing." (vv. 31-33)
[Jesus heard that they had driven him out, and when he found him, he said,
"Do you believe in the Son of Man?"]
"Lord, I believe." And
he worshiped him. (vv. 35-38)
The Authorities Harden in their Opposition (what they say to the formerly-blind
man and/or about Jesus):
Neighbors: "Isn't this the man who used to sit and beg?"
"How were your eyes opened?" "Where
is he [Jesus]?" (vv. 8-12)
Some Pharisees: "This man [Jesus] is
not from God, for he does not
observe the sabbath."
Others: "How can
a sinner perform such signs?" They: "What
do you say about him [Jesus]? It was your eyes he opened." (vv. 13-17)
[Narrator]: The authorities, not believing that he had been born
blind, question his parents. The Jews had already
decided that anyone who confessed Jesus to be the Messiah would be put out
of the synagogue. (vv. 18-23)
Pharisees: "Swear to God! We know this man [Jesus] is
a sinner." (v. 24) "What did he do to you? How did
he open your eyes?" (v. 26) Then they reviled him, saying, "You
are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. We know that God has spoken
to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know
where he comes from." (vv. 28-29) "You were born
entirely in sins, and are you trying to teach us?"
And they drove him out. (v. 34)
Pharisees [to Jesus]: "Surely we are not blind, are we?"
(v. 40)
Jesus: "If you were blind (physically), you would not have sin. But
since you say, 'We see,' your sin remains."
(v. 41)
Note: The contrasts between Jesus and the Pharisees are polemically
continued and illustrated through the imagery comparing the Good Shepherd with
the Thieves and Robbers in John 10:1-21.
