John 9

John 9:1

The Pharisees heard. The bitterest enemies of Christ. When they heard that the people were believing, they thought it time for action, so the Pharisees and chief priests, that is, the Sanhedrin, sent officers to take him. This was an official act, the “first” official attempt of the Sanhedrin to take Jesus. They had purposed it before, but had not taken action.

John 9:2

Yet a little while I am with you. Aware of the rulers, he foretells his return to heaven.

John 9:3

Where I am, [thither] ye cannot come. Not while on earth, neither after life is over, if they die in their sins (John 8:21). The Jews did not comprehend his words, plain as they are to us.

John 9:6

In the last day. Probably the eighth day, possibly the seventh. The eighth was a day of holy rest added to the seven days of the feast. If any man thirsteth, let him, etc. Jewish writers say that water was brought every day of the feast in a golden pitcher from the pool of Siloam and poured upon the altar. It is thought that it was when this water was poured out that Jesus cried out, and pointed to the living water.

John 9:7

He that believeth on me. Notice that “believing” corresponds to “coming” in John 7:37, showing that faith is the means that brings us to Christ. As the scripture hath said. The reference is not to any single passage, but to the spirit of the Scripture, notably such passages as Isaiah 55:1 58:11 Ps 36:8-9. Out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. Christ is the living water; he who believes upon Christ formed within him, and hence must become a fountain to dispense the living water whatever he goes.

John 9:8

This spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive. This declaration of John makes the second chapter of Acts the best commentary on the preceding verse. Luther says: ``So St. Peter, by one sermon on the day of Pentecost, as by a rushing of water, delivered three thousand men from the devil’s kingdom, washing them in an hour from sin, death and Satan.’' Because Jesus was not yet glorified. Let it be noted: (1) That the Holy Spirit was not given until after the death and ascension of Jesus. (2) The disciples of Christ did not become “fountains of living water” (John 7:38) until the Holy Spirit was sent. This marks Pentecost as the beginning of the preaching of the gospel authoritatively by his disciples.

John 9:10

Others said, This is the Christ. Others asserted that he was the Christ. The opponents denied this, and based their opposition, not upon his character, or his teaching, but upon the fact that he came from Galilee. They did not know that he was born at Bethlehem, according to the prophecies (Micah 5:2).

John 9:11

The seed of David. See Isaiah 11:1 Jeremiah 23:5 Psalms 89:36.

John 9:14

Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees. These were the temple police, Levites under the direction of the chief priests. We are told that the chief priests, instigated by the Pharisees, had sent the officers to arrest him (see John 7:32).

John 9:15

Never man spake like this man. The only answer the officers could make to the demand why they had not carried out orders was, “Man never spake like this man”. The multitude had not overawed them, but the words of Christ.

John 9:16

Then answered them the Pharisees, etc. The Pharisees charge the officers in language of scorn.

John 9:17

Have any of the rulers . . . believed on him? By rulers are meant the Sanhedrin. In the matter of deciding on the claims of the Messiah they hold that the judgment of the “rulers” must be decisive. They were not probably aware that Nicodemus was really a secret believer, and that another “senator”, Joseph, would reveal himself at the proper time.

John 9:18

This people . . . are cursed. The argument was “Not the Sanhedrin, but the rabble are the believers upon him. They are utterly ignorant of the law and are accursed. On account of their ignorance they are easily led astray”.

John 9:19

Nicodemus. See note on John 3:1.

John 9:20

Doth our law judge, etc.? Of course it did not, but for him to say a word in defense of justice brought the charge that he was a follower of the Galilean.

John 9:21

Out of Galilee ariseth no prophet. The rulers in their rage make a false statement. Jonah (2 Kings 14:25), Elijah (1 Kings 17:1), and Nahum (Nahum 1:1) were all of Galilee.

John 9:24

Christ Teaching in Jerusalem SUMMARY OF JOHN 8: The Woman Taken in Adultery. The Light of the World. The Father’s Witness. Freedom by the Truth. Abraham’s Seed. The Son of Man before Abraham. Went unto the mount of Olives. For the night, as he was wont to do the last week of his life.

John 9:26

The scribes and Pharisees. The scribes were theologians. They brought this woman to Jesus for trial to see what he would decide, and to criticize him. They wished grounds for charges. (John 8:6).

John 9:28

Moses in the law commanded us. See Deuteronomy 22:22 Leviticus 20:10.

John 9:29

Jesus stooped down, and . . . wrote. As though to say he understood their purposes and would pay no attention to them. This is the only time in the New Testament that our Lord is described as writing.

John 9:30

He that is without sin among you. When they persisted, saying, “What sayest thou”? he said what was an awful rebuke. They knew that he knew their lives, that they were as guilty as the woman they had brought. They forgot the demand of Moses that the witnesses should cast the first stone (Deuteronomy 17:5-7), and his answer was like a bolt of lightning. Covered with shame, when he stooped and wrote again, they “went out one by one”.

John 9:34

Neither do I condemn thee. Here is mercy. Go, and sin no more. Here is admonition; the condition of her final pardon. He is very merciful, but does not excuse sin.

John 9:35

I am the light of the world. He then began his discourse to the people assembled. See notes on Matthew 5:14 John 1:7-10.

John 9:37

My record is true. The Pharisees disputed this. Ordinarily the testimony of a man that he is sent from God is insufficient. He may be deceived or a deceiver. But Jesus could not be deceived, for he knew all things; nor a deceiver, for he was Truth. Besides, he had other testimony (John 8:18).

John 9:38

Ye judge after the flesh. According to appearances. I judge no man. He lets their lives and consciences judge them.

John 9:40

It is also written in your law. See Deuteronomy 19:15. Observe Jesus says not “our”, but “your” law.

John 9:41

The Father . . . beareth witness of me. By the prophets, by the works that Jesus does, by his voice at the baptism, and by John the Baptist.