RSV ~ John 9 Notes

Jn 9:2 | ISB Notes

Rabbi, who sinned … ?: Sickness was thought to be a direct consequence of sin (Job 31:3; Ps 107:17). Responsibility for physical ailments was imputed either to one’s parents (Tob 3:3) or to the earliest period of one’s life, since certain rabbis taught that infants could sin before birth (9:34). Jesus does not deny the principle that sickness is brought on by sin, but that a personal link can be established in every case.

Jn 9:3 | ISB Notes

the works of God: The man’s blindness was part of the providential plan of God (11:4). Giving physical sight to the blind is a sign that Jesus gives us spiritual sight to see earth in light of heaven, time in light of eternity, and our lives in light of our destiny.

Jn 9:5 | ISB Notes

I am the light: Jesus is the source of all truth, faith, and life (1:9; 14:6; 18:37). See note on Jn 8:12.

Jn 9:6 | ISB Notes

made clay of the spittle: The use of common materials to serve a holy purpose anticipates Jesus’ institution of the seven sacraments. See note on Mk 6:56.

Jn 9:7 | ISB Notes

Go, wash: Recalls the miracle of Elisha in 2 Kings 5:10-14.

• Elisha commanded Naaman the Syrian to “go and wash” in the Jordan River to be restored to health.

the pool of Siloam: A rock-hewn reservoir in the southern district of ancient Jerusalem. The pool was built by King Hezekiah to serve as a water supply for the city (2 Kings 20:20; 2 Chron 32:30). The editorial comment that Siloam means Sent suggests that the pool is a symbol of Jesus, the source of living water (4:10) and the One sent by his Father (9:4; 12:44). Its contents are symbolic of the Spirit, who is the living water poured out by Christ (7:38-39) and the One who is sent by the Father and the Son (14:26; 15:26).

• The miracle anticipates the administration of Baptism, where catechumens are washed (9:7) in water, anointed (9:6) with oil, and enlightened with grace and truth (9:5; Eph 1:18; Heb 6:4; CCC 1216).

Jn 9:11 | ISB Notes

The man called Jesus: The perception of Jesus deepens as the story unfolds: here he is a “man”; by verse 9:17 he is a “prophet”; by 9:33 he is “from God”; and by 9:38 he is the “Lord” worthy of worship. The narrative challenges our minds to make the same conclusion and our hearts to make the same response.

Jn 9:14 | ISB Notes

sabbath day: Instead of rejoicing with the man cured of blindness, the Pharisees haggle over the supposed illegality of the miracle on the sacred day of rest. They are missing the fact that Jesus fulfills the true intent of the Sabbath by offering the man “rest” after long years of being handicapped (CCC 2173).

Jn 9:19 | ISB Notes

Is this your son . . .?: The testimony of the man’s parents would be the most credible of all since they would have known him from birth (9:20).

Jn 9:22 | ISB Notes

put out of the synagogue: i.e., excommunicated from the fellowship and worship of the Jews (Ezra 10:8). This was a frightful prospect for many Jewish Christians in the early Church (12:42; 16:2).

Jn 9:24 | ISB Notes

Give God the praise: An oath formula that binds a witness to speak the truth (Josh 7:19).

Jn 9:32 | ISB Notes

Never … opened the eyes: Even Tobit, whose eyesight was temporarily lost and later restored, was not blind from birth (Tob 2:9-10; 11:7-15; 14:1-2).

Jn 9:33 | ISB Notes

he could do nothing: Mirrors the logic of Nicodemus in 3:2.

Jn 9:35 | ISB Notes

the Son of man: The heavenly figure from Dan 7:13.

See topical essay: Jesus, the Son of Man at Lk 17.

Jn 9:39 | ISB Notes

may see … become blind: To the humble and childlike, Jesus reveals the Father and his will, but to the wise and understanding, he withholds the light necessary to see the truth (Mt 11:25-27; 13:13-16). The Pharisees fall in the latter category because, while they claim to see clearly, they are blind to their deepest spiritual needs (9:41).