John 9:17 - Therefore they asked the blind man again, “What do you say about him, because he opened your eyes?” He said, “He is a prophet.”
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "John 9:17" mean?
This verse is part of the story of the healing of the man born blind in John chapter 9. Let's break it down to understand its meaning:
"Therefore they asked the blind man again..." The "they" refers to the Pharisees, the Jewish religious leaders who were skeptical and suspicious of Jesus. They had already questioned the healed man once. Their repeated questioning indicates their disbelief and determination to discredit Jesus' miracle.
"...“What do you say about him, because he opened your eyes?”" The Pharisees are pressing the healed man to give his opinion of Jesus after experiencing the miracle. They are hoping he might say something negative or ambiguous they can use against Jesus. They are focusing on the act of healing itself, rather than the man's own feelings of gratitude or amazement.
"He said, “He is a prophet.”" The healed man's response is significant. He has already stated facts: he was blind, now he sees, and Jesus healed him. Now, based on his experience, he gives his own assessment of Jesus. Calling Jesus a "prophet" is a statement of respect and recognition of divine power. In Jewish tradition, prophets were messengers of God, speaking and acting with divine authority.
Meaning and Significance:
Growing Faith: The healed man's understanding of Jesus is developing. He starts knowing Jesus only as "the man called Jesus" (John 9:11), then he declares him to be a prophet. Later in the chapter (John 9:38), after Jesus reveals himself more fully, the man worships Jesus, acknowledging him as the Son of God. This verse marks a stage in that journey of faith.
Pharisees' Resistance: The verse highlights the contrast between the healed man's growing faith and the Pharisees' stubborn refusal to believe. They are confronted with undeniable evidence, but their preconceptions and fear of losing authority prevent them from acknowledging Jesus' divine power.
A Moderate Statement: Calling Jesus a prophet is significant. It indicates an appreciation for his works as empowered by God. It may be viewed as an initial, cautious, and measured statement. The man isn't yet calling Jesus the Messiah, but he is recognizing him as more than just an ordinary man.
In essence, this verse shows a man moving from ignorance to understanding, from blindness to sight, and from disbelief to faith. It also exposes the resistance and blindness of those who refuse to accept the truth, even when confronted with evidence.
John 9:17 - Therefore they asked the blind man again, “What do you say about him, because he opened your eyes?” He said, “He is a prophet.”
What does "John 9:17" mean?
This verse is part of the story of the healing of the man born blind in John chapter 9. Let's break it down to understand its meaning:
"Therefore they asked the blind man again..." The "they" refers to the Pharisees, the Jewish religious leaders who were skeptical and suspicious of Jesus. They had already questioned the healed man once. Their repeated questioning indicates their disbelief and determination to discredit Jesus' miracle.
"...“What do you say about him, because he opened your eyes?”" The Pharisees are pressing the healed man to give his opinion of Jesus after experiencing the miracle. They are hoping he might say something negative or ambiguous they can use against Jesus. They are focusing on the act of healing itself, rather than the man's own feelings of gratitude or amazement.
"He said, “He is a prophet.”" The healed man's response is significant. He has already stated facts: he was blind, now he sees, and Jesus healed him. Now, based on his experience, he gives his own assessment of Jesus. Calling Jesus a "prophet" is a statement of respect and recognition of divine power. In Jewish tradition, prophets were messengers of God, speaking and acting with divine authority.
Meaning and Significance:
Growing Faith: The healed man's understanding of Jesus is developing. He starts knowing Jesus only as "the man called Jesus" (John 9:11), then he declares him to be a prophet. Later in the chapter (John 9:38), after Jesus reveals himself more fully, the man worships Jesus, acknowledging him as the Son of God. This verse marks a stage in that journey of faith.
Pharisees' Resistance: The verse highlights the contrast between the healed man's growing faith and the Pharisees' stubborn refusal to believe. They are confronted with undeniable evidence, but their preconceptions and fear of losing authority prevent them from acknowledging Jesus' divine power.
A Moderate Statement: Calling Jesus a prophet is significant. It indicates an appreciation for his works as empowered by God. It may be viewed as an initial, cautious, and measured statement. The man isn't yet calling Jesus the Messiah, but he is recognizing him as more than just an ordinary man.
In essence, this verse shows a man moving from ignorance to understanding, from blindness to sight, and from disbelief to faith. It also exposes the resistance and blindness of those who refuse to accept the truth, even when confronted with evidence.