John 9:16 - Some therefore of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, because he doesn’t keep the Sabbath.” Others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” There was division among them.
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What does "John 9:16" mean?
This verse, John 9:16, captures the immediate and conflicting reactions of the Pharisees to Jesus healing a man born blind. Let's break it down:
"Some therefore of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, because he doesn’t keep the Sabbath.” This faction believed Jesus was violating the Sabbath laws by working (healing) on it. Their strict interpretation of the law led them to conclude that anyone breaking the Sabbath could not be sent by God. Their reasoning was: a prophet of God would surely uphold God's laws.
"Others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” This other faction acknowledged the miracle. They reasoned that performing such a miraculous healing implied divine power and that a "sinner" (someone estranged from God) wouldn't be able to perform such an act. This group was questioning whether their previous assumption about Jesus being a lawbreaker was correct.
"There was division among them." This is the key takeaway. The event caused a split in the Pharisees' ranks. They couldn't agree on who Jesus was. Some clung to their rigid legalistic interpretation, while others were more open to the possibility that Jesus' miraculous power indicated a divine source, regardless of Sabbath observance.
In essence, the verse highlights:
The conflict between legalism and grace: The Pharisees were focused on strict adherence to the law, while Jesus' actions emphasized compassion and healing, even if it seemed to conflict with their interpretation of the law.
The challenge to their authority: Jesus' actions challenged the Pharisees' authority as interpreters and guardians of the law.
The beginning of polarization: This event, like many others in Jesus' ministry, forced people to take sides, further dividing the Jewish religious leaders and the public.
The verse is significant because it illustrates how deeply ingrained preconceived notions and rigid adherence to rules can blind people to truth, even when confronted with extraordinary evidence. Some were so committed to their interpretation of the Sabbath that they rejected the possibility that Jesus could be from God, even when faced with a miraculous healing. Others struggled with this, unable to reconcile the miracle with their assumptions about Jesus. The division created here is a microcosm of the larger conflict brewing between Jesus and the religious establishment.
John 9:16 - Some therefore of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, because he doesn’t keep the Sabbath.” Others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” There was division among them.
What does "John 9:16" mean?
This verse, John 9:16, captures the immediate and conflicting reactions of the Pharisees to Jesus healing a man born blind. Let's break it down:
"Some therefore of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, because he doesn’t keep the Sabbath.” This faction believed Jesus was violating the Sabbath laws by working (healing) on it. Their strict interpretation of the law led them to conclude that anyone breaking the Sabbath could not be sent by God. Their reasoning was: a prophet of God would surely uphold God's laws.
"Others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” This other faction acknowledged the miracle. They reasoned that performing such a miraculous healing implied divine power and that a "sinner" (someone estranged from God) wouldn't be able to perform such an act. This group was questioning whether their previous assumption about Jesus being a lawbreaker was correct.
"There was division among them." This is the key takeaway. The event caused a split in the Pharisees' ranks. They couldn't agree on who Jesus was. Some clung to their rigid legalistic interpretation, while others were more open to the possibility that Jesus' miraculous power indicated a divine source, regardless of Sabbath observance.
In essence, the verse highlights:
The conflict between legalism and grace: The Pharisees were focused on strict adherence to the law, while Jesus' actions emphasized compassion and healing, even if it seemed to conflict with their interpretation of the law.
The challenge to their authority: Jesus' actions challenged the Pharisees' authority as interpreters and guardians of the law.
The beginning of polarization: This event, like many others in Jesus' ministry, forced people to take sides, further dividing the Jewish religious leaders and the public.
The verse is significant because it illustrates how deeply ingrained preconceived notions and rigid adherence to rules can blind people to truth, even when confronted with extraordinary evidence. Some were so committed to their interpretation of the Sabbath that they rejected the possibility that Jesus could be from God, even when faced with a miraculous healing. Others struggled with this, unable to reconcile the miracle with their assumptions about Jesus. The division created here is a microcosm of the larger conflict brewing between Jesus and the religious establishment.