“A JOURNEY THROUGH THE GOSPEL OF JOHN” ST. JOHN 9:8-23

The Aftermath of Christ’s Healing of the Blind Beggar

In the previous section of this grand Chapter, St. John 9:1-7, we discovered the marvelous outflow of the sovereign grace of God demonstrated toward a blind beggar.  This marvelous grand act of God’s sovereign grace was demonstrated on a blind beggar who didn’t even appeal to nor utter any cry for the Lord’s mercy.

Our text begins with the neighbor’s reaction with regard to the identity of the blind beggar, for verse 8 says – “The neighbors therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged?”  Certainly, an obvious change had occurred in the life of this blind beggar which had caused a great deal of curious talk among the neighbors.  As with the blind beggar, many of our friends are curious about the change the grace of God has wrought in our lives!  In verse 9, the neighbors are still in doubt as to the real identity of the once blind beggar – that a work of marvelous grace had been accomplished in His life is beyond a doubt.  From verse 10, now the once blind beggar has the unique opportunity to testify about the grace he experienced in being healed.  In observing verse 10 further, it is noteworthy that the neighbors’ question revealed that they didn’t want to know who did or performed the miracle, but how was his eyes opened.  The once blind man replies in verse 11 by testifying and giving a straight forward answer, stating what the gracious Benefactor, Jesus Christ, had done for him.

As they continued to interrogate the victim on whom the grace of God was demonstrated, a question was raised – “Where is He?”  He said, “I know not.”  Acting on the limited knowledge He had of Christ, the once beggar answered the question as straightforward as he could.  In verse 13, we now discover that the once blind victim is brought before the Pharisees, and verse 14 supplies us with the fact that the miracle occurred on the Sabbath.

The fact that the miracle occurred on the Sabbath will cause a controversy among the Pharisees.  It is to be noted in verse 5 that the testimony of God’s grace victim did not change – again, he was straight forward in his testimony as to who healed him!  Verse 6 reveals the adamant unbelief of the Pharisees, for they rejected that He performed the miracle because it was done on the Sabbath.  Because of their rejection and disdain for the Light (Jesus Christ), they are dwelling in the shadow of unbelief and darkness.  Under strong interrogation in verse 17, we discover that the once blind beggar affirms that Jesus is a prophet – a mouthpiece for God.  This man is remaining firm in his testimony – not flinching a bit!  Although a noteworthy miracle had occurred in the man’s life, the Jews were determined not to believe.  The glaring unbelief of these Jews is manifested, for even after the consistent testimony of the once blind beggar, they passed the witness and called for the man’s parents (v. 18).

As the interrogation process continues in verses 19-23, the Pharisees’ aim in questioning the parents was to attempt to get the parents to deny that their son was blind; and in doing so, the miracle would be denied.  One would have thought that the parents would have been a strong witness, witnessing to the fact that Jesus did indeed heal their son; or, were they fearful in their testimony because they did not want to be excommunicated (v. 22).  “Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him (v. 23).  May God Bless!