2tn Grk “asked him, saying.”

3tn Grk “this one.”

4tn Grk “in order that he should be born blind.”

sn The disciples assumed that sin (regardless of who committed it) was the cause of the man’s blindness. This was a common belief in Judaism; the rabbis used Ezek 18:20 to prove there was no death without sin, and Ps 89:33 to prove there was no punishment without guilt (the Babylonian Talmud, b. Shabbat 55a, although later than the NT, illustrates this). Thus in this case the sin must have been on the part of the man’s parents, or during his own prenatal existence. Song Rabbah 1:41 (another later rabbinic work) stated that when a pregnant woman worshiped in a heathen temple the unborn child also committed idolatry. This is only one example of how, in rabbinic Jewish thought, an unborn child was capable of sinning.

5tn Grk “this one.”

6tn Grk “but so that.” There is an ellipsis that must be supplied: “but [he was born blind] so that” or “but [it happened to him] so that.”

7tn Or “deeds”; Grk “works.”

8tn Or “manifested,” “brought to light.”

9tn Grk “in him.”

10tn Grk “We must work the works.”

11tn Or “of him who sent me” (God).

12tn Or “while.”

13sn Jesus’ statement I am the light of the world connects the present account with 8:12. Here (seen more clearly than at 8:12) it is obvious what the author sees as the significance of Jesus’ statement. “Light” is not a metaphysical definition of the person of Jesus but a description of his effect on the world, forcing everyone in the world to ‘choose up sides’ for or against him (cf. 3:19-21).

14tn Grk “said these things.”

15tn Or “clay” (moistened earth of a clay-like consistency). The textual variant preserved in the Syriac text of Ephraem’s commentary on the Diatessaron (“he made eyes from his clay”) probably arose from the interpretation given by Irenaeus in Against Heresies: “that which the Artificer, the Word, had omitted to form in the womb, he then supplied in public.” This involves taking the clay as an allusion to Gen 2:7, which is very unlikely.

16tn Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, the conjunction καί (kai) was replaced by a third person pronoun and a new sentence started here in the translation.

17tn Grk “on his.”

18tn The pool’s name in Hebrew is shiloah from the Hebrew verb “to send.” In Gen 49:10 the somewhat obscure shiloh was interpreted messianically by later Jewish tradition, and some have seen a lexical connection between the two names (although this is somewhat dubious). It is known, however, that it was from the pool of Siloam that the water which was poured out at the altar during the feast of Tabernacles was drawn.

19sn This is a parenthetical note by the author. Why does he comment on the meaning of the name of the pool? Here, the significance is that the Father sent the Son, and the Son sent the man born blind. The name of the pool is applicable to the man, but also to Jesus himself, who was sent from heaven.

20tn Grk “So he”; the referent (the blind man) is specified in the translation for clarity.

21tn Or “formerly.”

22tn An ingressive force (“began saying”) is present here because the change in status of the blind person provokes this new response from those who knew him.

23tn Grk “the one.”

24tn Grk “Others were saying.”

25tn Grk “This is the one.”

26tn Grk “No, but he is like him.”

27tn Grk “That one”; the referent (the man himself) is specified in the translation for clarity.

28tn Grk “I am he.”

29tn Grk “So they were saying to him.”

30tn Grk “How then were your eyes opened” (an idiom referring to restoration of sight).

31tn Grk “That one answered.”

32tn Or “clay” (moistened earth of a clay-like consistency).

33tn Grk “and smeared.” Direct objects in Greek were often omitted when obvious from the context.

34tn Grk “said to me.”

35tn Or “and I gained my sight.”

36tn Grk “And they said.”

37tn Grk “that one.” “Man” is more normal English style for the referent.

38tn Grk “He said.”

39tn Grk “who was formerly blind.”

40sn See the note on Pharisees in 1:24.

41tn Or “clay” (moistened earth of a clay-like consistency).

42tn Grk “and opened his eyes” (an idiom referring to restoration of sight).

43sn This is a parenthetical note by the author.

44tn Or “how he had become able to see.”

sn So the Pharisees asked him. Note the subtlety here: On the surface, the man is being judged. But through him, Jesus is being judged. Yet in reality (as the discerning reader will realize) it is ironically the Pharisees themselves who are being judged by their response to Jesus who is the light of the world (cf. 3:17-21).

45tn Grk “And he said to them.”

46tn Or “clay” (moistened earth of a clay-like consistency).

47tn The word “now” is not in the Greek text, but is supplied to indicate the contrast between the man’s former state (blind) and his present state (able to see).

48tn As a response to the answers of the man who used to be blind, the use of the imperfect tense in the reply of the Pharisees is best translated as an ingressive imperfect (“began to say” or “started saying”).

49tn Grk “he does not keep.”

50sn The Jewish religious leaders considered the work involved in making the mud to be a violation of the Sabbath.

51tn Grk “do.”

52tn Or “So there was discord.”

53tn Grk “the blind man.”

54tn Grk “since he opened your eyes” (an idiom referring to restoration of sight).

55tn Grk “And he said, ‘He is a prophet.’”

sn At this point the man, pressed by the Pharisees, admitted there was something special about Jesus. But here, since prophet is anarthrous (is not accompanied by the Greek article) and since in his initial reply in 9:11-12 the man showed no particular insight into the true identity of Jesus, this probably does not refer to the prophet of Deut 18:15, but merely to an unusual person who is capable of working miracles. The Pharisees had put this man on the spot, and he felt compelled to say something about Jesus, but he still didn’t have a clear conception of who Jesus was, so he labeled him a “prophet.”

56tn Or “the Jewish religious authorities”; Grk “the Jews.” In NT usage the term ᾿Ιουδαῖοι (Ioudaioi) may refer to the entire Jewish people, the residents of Jerusalem and surrounding territory, the authorities in Jerusalem, or merely those who were hostile to Jesus. (For further information see R. G. Bratcher, “‘The Jews’ in the Gospel of John,” BT 26 [1975]: 401-9.) Here the phrase refers mainly to the Pharisees, mentioned by name in John 9:13, 15, 16. References in this context to Pharisees and to the synagogue (v. 22) suggest an emphasis on the religious nature of the debate which is brought out by the translation “the Jewish religious leaders.”

57tn The Greek text contains the words “about him” at this point: “the Jewish authorities did not believe about him…”

58tn Grk “they called.”

59tn Or “the man who had gained his sight.”

60tn Grk “and they asked them, saying”; the referent (the parents) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

61tn The Greek pronoun and verb are both plural (both parents are addressed).

62tn Grk “So his parents answered and said.”

63tn Grk “who opened his eyes” (an idiom referring to restoration of sight).

64tn Or “he is of age.”

65tn Or “the Jewish religious authorities”; Grk “the Jews.” Twice in this verse the phrase refers to the Pharisees, mentioned by name in John 9:13, 15, 16. The second occurrence is shortened to “the Jewish leaders” for stylistic reasons. See the note on the phrase “the Jewish religious leaders” in v. 18.

66tn Grk “confessed him.”

67tn Or “the Messiah” (Both Greek “Christ” and Hebrew and Aramaic “Messiah” mean “one who has been anointed”).

sn See the note on Christ in 1:20.

68tn Or “would be expelled from.”

69sn This reference to excommunication from the Jewish synagogue for those who had made some sort of confession about Jesus being the Messiah is dismissed as anachronistic by some (e.g., Barrett) and nonhistorical by others. In later Jewish practice there were at least two forms of excommunication: a temporary ban for thirty days, and a permanent ban. But whether these applied in NT times is far from certain. There is no substantial evidence for a formal ban on Christians until later than this Gospel could possibly have been written. This may be a reference to some form of excommunication adopted as a contingency to deal with those who were proclaiming Jesus to be the Messiah. If so, there is no other record of the procedure than here. It was probably local, limited to the area around Jerusalem. See also the note on synagogue in 6:59.

70tn Or “he is of age.”

71sn This is a parenthetical note by the author explaining the parents’ response.

72tn Grk “they called.”

73tn Grk “who was blind.”

74tn Grk “Give glory to God” (an idiomatic formula used in placing someone under oath to tell the truth).

75tn The phrase “this man” is a reference to Jesus.

76tn Grk “Then that one answered.”

77tn Grk “open your eyes” (an idiom referring to restoration of sight).

78tn Grk “He answered them.” The indirect object αὐτοῖς (autois) has not been translated for stylistic reasons.

79tn Grk “you did not hear.”

80tn “It” is not in the Greek text but has been supplied. Direct objects in Greek were often omitted when they were clearly implied in the context.

81tn The word “people” is supplied in the translation to clarify the plural Greek pronoun and verb.

82tn Grk “And they.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here.

83tn The Greek word means “to insult strongly” or “slander.”

84tn Grk “and said.”

85tn Grk “You are that one’s disciple.”

86tn Grk “where this one.”

87tn Grk “The man answered and said to them.” This has been simplified in the translation to “The man replied.”

88tn Grk “For in this is a remarkable thing.”

89tn Grk “and he opened my eyes” (an idiom referring to restoration of sight).

90tn Grk “God does not hear.”

91tn Or “godly.”

92tn Grk “he”; the referent (God) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

93tn Or “hears.”

94tn Grk “this one.”

95tn Or “Never from the beginning of time,” Grk “From eternity.”

96tn Grk “someone opening the eyes of a man born blind” (“opening the eyes” is an idiom referring to restoration of sight).

97tn Grk “this one.”

98tn Grk “They answered and said to him.” This has been simplified in the translation to “They replied.”

99tn Or “From birth you have been evil.” The implication of this insult, in the context of John 9, is that the man whom Jesus caused to see had not previously adhered rigorously to all the conventional requirements of the OT law as interpreted by the Pharisees. Thus he had no right to instruct them about who Jesus was.

100tn Grk “and are you teaching us?”

101tn Grk “found him”; the referent (the man) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

102tc Although most witnesses (A L Θ Ψ 070 0250 Ë^1,13 33 Ï lat) have θεοῦ (qeou, “of God”) instead of ἀνθρώπου (anqrwpou, “of man”) here, the better witnesses (Ì^66,75 א B D W sy^s) have ἀνθρώπου. Not only is the external evidence decidedly on the side of ἀνθρώπου, but it is difficult to see such early and diverse witnesses changing θεοῦ to ἀνθρώπου. The wording “Son of Man” is thus virtually certain.

103tn Grk “That one.”

104tn Grk answered and said.” This has been simplified in the translation to “replied.”

105tn Or “And who is he, sir? Tell me so that…” Some translations supply elliptical words like “Tell me” (NIV, NRSV) following the man’s initial question, but the shorter form given in the translation is clear enough.

106tn Grk “that one.”

107tn The καί – καί (kai – kai) construction would normally be translated “both – and”: “You have both seen him, and he is the one speaking with you.” In this instance the English semicolon was used instead because it produces a smoother and more emphatic effect in English.

108sn Assuming the authenticity of John 9:38-39a (see the tc note following the bracket in v. 39), the man’s response after Jesus’ statement of v. 37 is extremely significant: He worshiped Jesus. In the Johannine context the word would connote its full sense: This was something due God alone. Note also that Jesus did not prevent the man from doing this. The verb προσκυνέω (proskunew) is used in John 4:20-25 of worshiping God, and again with the same sense in 12:20. This would be the only place in John’s Gospel where anyone is said to have worshiped Jesus using this term. As such, it forms the climax of the story of the man born blind, but the uniqueness of the concept of worshiping Jesus at this point in John's narrative (which reaches its ultimate climax in the confession of Thomas in John 20:28) may suggest it is too early for such a response and it represents a later scribal addition.

109tn Grk “And Jesus.” Because of the difference between Greek style, which often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” and English style, which generally does not, καί (kai) has not been translated here.

110tc ‡ Some early and important witnesses (Ì⁷⁵ א* W b sa^ms ac² mf) lack the words, “He said, ‘Lord, I believe,’ and he worshiped him. Jesus said,” (vv. 38-39a). This is weighty evidence for the omission of these words. It is difficult to overstate the value of Ì⁷⁵ here, since it is the only currently available papyrus ms extant for the text of John 9:38-39. Further, א is an important and early Alexandrian witness for the omission. The versional testimony and codex W also give strong support to the omission. Nearly all other mss, however, include these words. The omission may have been occasioned by parablepsis (both vv. 37 and 39 begin with “Jesus said to him”), though it is difficult to account for such an error across such a wide variety of witnesses. On the other hand, the longer reading appears to be motivated by liturgical concerns (so R. E. Brown, John [AB], 1:375), since the verb προσκυνέω (proskunew, “I worship”) is used in John 4:20-25 of worshiping God, and again with the same sense in 12:20. If these words were authentic here, this would be the only place in John’s Gospel where Jesus is the explicit object of προσκυνέω. Even if these words are not authentic, such an omission would nevertheless hardly diminish John’s high Christology (cf. 1:1; 5:18-23; 14:6-10; 20:28), nor the implicit worship of him by Thomas (20:28). Nevertheless, a decision is difficult, and the included words may reflect a very early tradition about the blind man’s response to Jesus.

111tn Or “that those who do not see may see.”

112sn See the note on Pharisees in 1:24.

113tn Grk “heard these things.”

114tn Grk “and said to him.”

115tn Questions prefaced with μή (mh) in Greek anticipate a negative answer. This can sometimes be indicated by using a “tag” at the end in English (here the tag is “are we?”).

116tn Grk “Jesus said to them.”

117tn Grk “you would not have sin.”

118tn Grk “now because you say, ‘We see…’”

119tn Or “your sin.”

120sn Because you claim that you can see, your guilt remains. The blind man received sight physically, and this led him to see spiritually as well. But the Pharisees, who claimed to possess spiritual sight, were spiritually blinded. The reader might recall Jesus’ words to Nicodemus in 3:10, “Are you the teacher of Israel and don’t understand these things?” In other words, to receive Jesus was to receive the light of the world, to reject him was to reject the light, close one’s eyes, and become blind. This is the serious sin of which Jesus had warned before (8:21-24). The blindness of such people was incurable since they had rejected the only cure that exists (cf. 12:39-41).