Anchor My Faith

Former Blind Man Believes

Scripture Reference: John 9:35-41 

Context:

John 9:35–41 brings the account of the man born blind to its spiritual climax. After being healed by Jesus and then cast out of the synagogue by the Pharisees for boldly testifying about what had happened, the man is found again by Jesus; a significant act that shows Christ’s pursuit of those who suffer for His sake. Jesus asks him, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” shifting the focus from physical sight to spiritual faith. The man, who has progressively grown in understanding; from calling Jesus “the man,” to “a prophet,” and finally recognizing Him as from God, is now ready for full revelation. When Jesus identifies Himself, the man responds with faith and worship, demonstrating that true sight is not merely the restoration of vision but the recognition of Jesus as Lord. In contrast, Jesus declares that He came into the world for judgment, not condemnation alone, but a dividing line: those who acknowledge their blindness will receive sight, while those who claim to see (like the Pharisees) remain in their sin. The Pharisees’ question, “Are we also blind?” reveals their spiritual arrogance, and Jesus’ answer exposes their guilt, because they claim knowledge and righteousness, they are accountable for rejecting the truth standing before them. This passage powerfully contrasts humility and pride, belief and unbelief, and reveals that spiritual blindness is not a lack of information but a refusal to see and submit to the light of Christ.

Bible Lessons for this event:

H365 The Son of Man (John 9:35-37)
H366 Judgment Occurs Because of Jesus (John 9:38-41)

Event Summary:

This event concludes the story of the man born blind, focusing on his spiritual transformation as he recognizes Jesus as the Son of God. It also contrasts the spiritual blindness of the Pharisees with the faith of the healed man. The themes emphasize faith, spiritual sight, humility, and the judgment that comes from rejecting Jesus.

Key points of this event are:

(1) Jesus Seeks Out the Healed Man: After the man is thrown out by the Pharisees, Jesus finds him and asks, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” (See John 9:35) Jesus actively seeks out those who are rejected or marginalized, offering them an opportunity to know him. Faith is personal and requires a direct response to Jesus.

(2) The Man’s Confession of Faith: When Jesus reveals himself as the Son of Man, the man responds, “Lord, I believe,” and worships him. (See John 9:36-38) True faith leads to recognizing Jesus’ divine identity and responding with worship. Physical healing is not the ultimate goal—spiritual sight and a relationship with Jesus are.

(3) Jesus’ Purpose: Spiritual Sight and Judgment: Jesus said, “For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind.” (See John 9:39) Jesus’ mission reveals the condition of the human heart. Those who recognize their spiritual blindness are given sight through faith, while those who claim to see but reject him are judged for their pride and unbelief.

(4) The Pharisees’ Spiritual Blindness: The Pharisees ask, “Are we blind too?” Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, ‘We see,’ your guilt remains.” (See John 9:40-41) Spiritual blindness is not about lack of knowledge but about willful rejection of truth. The Pharisees’ self-righteousness prevents them from acknowledging their need for Jesus, leaving them guilty and condemned.

(5) Faith vs. Pride: The healed man demonstrates humility and a willingness to learn, leading to faith and worship. In contrast, the Pharisees’ pride and unwillingness to admit their need for Jesus leave them spiritually blind. Faith requires humility and openness to Jesus’ truth. Pride and self-reliance result in spiritual blindness and separation from God.

This event emphasizes that Jesus brings spiritual sight to those who recognize their need for him, while pride and rejection of his truth lead to judgment and spiritual blindness. The healed man’s journey from physical healing to spiritual transformation illustrates the power of faith and the importance of responding to Jesus with humility and worship. The passage challenges readers to examine their spiritual vision, embrace Jesus as the light of the world, and reject the pride that blinds them to God’s truth.

Discussion Questions with Extended Answers:

1. Why does Jesus seek out the man after he has been cast out by the Pharisees?
Answer:
Jesus seeks the man because His work is not finished with him. The physical healing in John 9 was only the beginning; now Jesus leads him to spiritual sight. Being cast out by the Pharisees represents rejection by religious authority and community, yet it becomes the very moment Jesus personally reveals Himself more fully. This shows that Jesus does not abandon those who suffer for truth; He draws nearer to them. The man’s isolation becomes the setting for deeper revelation. Spiritually, it demonstrates that true belonging is found not in religious systems, but in relationship with Christ.

2. What does Jesus mean when He asks, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”
Answer:
The title “Son of Man” is a messianic term rooted in Book of Daniel 7:13–14, where the Son of Man is given authority, glory, and an everlasting kingdom. By asking this question, Jesus is inviting the man to move beyond recognizing Him as a prophet (which he had already done earlier in the chapter) to acknowledging Him as the divine Messiah. This question is personal and requires a response of faith. Jesus is not merely asking for intellectual agreement but for trust, allegiance, and worship.

3. Why does the man respond, “Who is He, sir, that I may believe in Him?”
Answer:
The man’s response reveals both humility and readiness. He does not yet fully understand who Jesus is, but he is open and eager to believe. Unlike the Pharisees, who claim knowledge but reject truth, this man acknowledges his need for further revelation. His question is not skeptical but seeking. It shows that spiritual sight often begins with a willingness to admit what we do not know and a desire to know the truth. His posture contrasts sharply with the pride of the religious leaders.

4. What is the significance of the man saying, “Lord, I believe,” and worshiping Jesus?
Answer:
This is the climax of the passage. The man moves from physical blindness to full spiritual sight. His confession, “Lord, I believe,” is a declaration of faith in Jesus as more than a healer; he recognizes Him as Lord. His act of worship is equally significant because worship is reserved for God alone. By accepting this worship, Jesus affirms His divine identity. This moment shows the complete transformation of the man: from blindness, to receiving sight, to bearing witness, to being rejected, and finally to true faith and worship.

5. What does Jesus mean when He says, “For judgment I came into this world…”?
Answer:
Jesus is not speaking of judgment as condemnation alone, but as a dividing line that reveals the true condition of people’s hearts. His coming exposes who truly sees and who is actually blind. Those who recognize their spiritual blindness (like the healed man) are given sight, while those who claim to see (like the Pharisees) are shown to be blind. This judgment is not arbitrary; it is based on how people respond to the light of Christ. His presence reveals truth and forces a response.

6. How do the Pharisees demonstrate spiritual blindness in this passage?
Answer:
The Pharisees hear Jesus’ words and respond defensively: “Are we also blind?” Their question is not one of genuine self-examination but of pride and resistance. They assume their own spiritual insight because of their position and knowledge of the law. However, their refusal to accept Jesus, even in the face of undeniable evidence (the healed man), reveals their blindness. They are blind not because they lack information, but because they reject the truth. Their confidence in their own righteousness prevents them from seeing their need for salvation.

7. What does Jesus mean when He says, “If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, ‘We see,’ your guilt remains”?
Answer:
Jesus is teaching that accountability is tied to awareness. If the Pharisees truly recognized their spiritual blindness, they would be in a position to receive forgiveness and sight. However, because they claim to see, asserting spiritual understanding while rejecting the truth, their guilt remains. Their sin is not merely ignorance but willful rejection. This highlights a critical spiritual principle: humility opens the door to grace, while pride closes it. Those who admit their need can be saved; those who deny it remain in their sin.

8. What contrast does this passage draw between the healed man and the Pharisees?
Answer:
The healed man represents growing faith and humility. He begins in physical blindness, gains sight, testifies boldly, endures rejection, and ultimately believes and worships Jesus. The Pharisees, on the other hand, represent hardened unbelief. They begin with assumed spiritual authority, reject clear evidence, cast out the man, and remain in their blindness. The contrast shows that true spiritual sight is not about status, education, or religious position—it is about a heart that responds to Jesus in faith.

9. How does this passage define true spiritual sight?
Answer:
True spiritual sight is the ability to recognize Jesus for who He truly is and to respond in faith and worship. It is not merely intellectual understanding but a transformation of the heart. The healed man demonstrates this progression: he first calls Jesus a man, then a prophet, and finally Lord. Spiritual sight grows as one responds to the light given. It is ultimately a gift of God, received through humility and faith.

10. What is the central message of John 9:35–41?
Answer:
The central message is that Jesus is the light who reveals both faith and unbelief. His presence brings clarity: those who humbly seek Him receive true sight, while those who rely on their own understanding remain blind. The passage calls each person to examine their response to Jesus. It teaches that spiritual blindness is not a lack of information but a refusal to believe, and that true sight is found in recognizing and worshiping Christ as Lord.