John 9:1-41

§ 84. RESTORATION OF THE BLIND-BORN AND FOURTH DISCOURSE AT THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES, John 9:1 John 10:21 .

The event here narrated, with its appended discourse, must, in order to be understood in its completeness, be taken into one reading from John 9:1 to John 10:39. It takes place at the Feast of Tabernacles. Through chapter ix the spiritual lords of Jerusalem show themselves false shepherds, as the blind-born is a true representative sheep; and through John 10:1-21 Jesus contrasts the true shepherd with the false. Three months after, at the Feast of Dedication, (John 9:22-39,) Jesus takes occasion to resume the same thread of discourse, and the angry Jews, in resentment for his rebukes, drive him from their capital.

The immediate narrative exhibits a thorough hostile sifting of one of our Lord’s miracles by the exciting authorities. First, it was the case of one born blind; a kind of case never curable (John 9:32) by natural means. Second, the reality of the blindness was notorious, and yet was thoroughly examined by the authorities. Third, there was no escape from the conclusion of the reality of the miracle. It was attested by the man himself, by his parents, by his neighbours, by Jesus and his disciples. It was finally undenied by the Lord’s enemies. It was moreover attested and recorded by John, our Evangelist, himself an eye and ear witness of the whole transaction.

After the performance of the miracle, John 9:1-7, the case is examined by the neighbours, John 9:8-12; the man is brought before the authorities and examined a first time, John 9:13-17; the parents are brought before them and examined, John 9:18-23; the man is recalled and re-examined and cast out, John 9:24-34. Jesus finds and receives him, passing condemnation on his rejecters, whom in the next chapter he contrasts with the good Shepherd.