Exegesis of John 9:1-41
RLD
(10 Mar. 2002 - 4th Sunday in Lent)
These long readings are tough. Just deciding where to focus is tricky.
Our monthly Session meeting is this week and it looks like this may be a
short exegesis.
Step I - (Initial) Acquaintance
A. Comparison of English or other published translations
NRSV
3 so that GodÆs works might be revealed in him
16 perform such signs
CEV
3 you will see God work a miracle for him
16 work such a miracle
Peterson
3 look instead for what God can do
16 do miraculous, God-revealing things
B. Greek/Hebrew Textual Criticism
In verses 4 and 5 there is a division in the Alexandrian family about
which pronouns are singular and which are plural. Metzger argues that
it is unlikely that copyists would have changed JesusÆ ôIö to ôwe.ö
However, changing ôweö to ôIö we not be as difficult to justify.
In verse 6, the verb ôanointö is intriguing. It is easy to see why
someone may have changed it to a more general term to ôput on.ö
Verse 35 shows another split in the Alexandrian family. Some
authorities read ôSon of Manö and others ôSon of God.ö The weight of the
Alexandrian family is certainly for Son of Man, and Metzger points out
that it is unlikely that copyists would have changed Son of God to the
more enigmatic Son of Man.
C. One's Own Rough Translation
Verses 1-9 and then selected key verses
1 And passing along he saw a man blind from birth.
2 And his disciples asked him, saying, ôRabbi, who sinned (hemarten),
this man or his parents, that blind he was born?
3 Jesus answered, ôNeither this man sinned, nor his parents, but that
might be manifested that works of God in him.
4 We must work the works of the one having sent me while it is day,
comes night when no one can work.
5 When in the cosmos I am, light I am of the cosmos.
6 These having said, he spat on the ground and made clay of the spit,
and anointed of him the clay upon the eyes.
7 And he said to him, ôGo, wash in the pool of Siloam, which is
interpreted (hermeneuetai), sent. He went therefore and washed, and
came seeing.
8 Therefore the neighbors and those who saw him before that blind he
was, said, ôIs not this he who was sitting and begging?ö
9 Some said that it is he, but others that like him he is. He said, ôI
am he.ö
16 Said therefore some of the Pharisees, ôNot is this man from God,
because the sabbath he keeps not. But others said, ôHow is a sinful man
such signs to do?ö And a schism there was among them.
17 They say therefore to the blind one again, ôWhat say you about him,
because he opened your eyes?ö And he said that he is a prophet.
22 These things said his parents because they feared the Jews, for
already had agreed the Jews that if anyone should acknowledge him
Christ, put away from the synagogue he would be.
23 Therefore his parents said that he has age, you question him.
24 They called therefore the man a second time who was blind, and said
to him, ôGive glory to God. We know this man is sinful.
25 Answered therefore that one, if sinful he is I know not. One thing I
know, that being blind now I see.
34 They answered and said to him, ôIn sins you were born wholly, and you
teach us? And they cast him out.
39 And said Jesus, ôFor judgement I into this cosmos came, that the ones
not seeing may see and the ones seeing blind may become.
40 Some of the Pharisees being with him heard these things, and they
said to him, ôNot also we are blind?
41 Said to them Jesus, ôIf blind yÆall were yÆall would not have had
sin. But now yÆall say, We see, your sin remains.
Step II - Disposition
A. Genre - How the text says what it says
Overall, this is a controversy story, but it has a healing story within
it, and a recognition story within the healing story. It has numerous
plot twists and seems to focus on who believes in Jesus and who does
not.
Verses 1-8 relate a healing story, along with a teaching of Jesus
that ôAs long as I am in the world/cosmos, I am the light of the
world/cosmos.ö
Verses 8 - 34 tell of a controversy between the Pharisees and Jesus,
although they do not actually meet. The blind man and his parents are
called to testify about Jesus. The blind manÆs parents say nothing in
JesusÆ defense for fear of the Jews, the Pharisees refuse to listen to
the blind man, and so only the blind man is shown to appreciate JesusÆ
work.
Verses 35-41 bring the blind man and Jesus back together, and finally
Jesus and some of the Pharisees meet. The blind man is able to
recognize Jesus as the Son of God. Jesus speaks critically of the
PhariseesÆ ability to ôsee.ö
In verse 35, is this Son of Man or Son of God?
B. Personal Interaction - Questions and observations
Again we have a discussion of birth. Why was this man born blind? Does
this connect to John 3 and the discussion of being born anew/from above?
Were the Pharisees in verse 40 following him as his disciples?
Is verse 41 true for us today? Are we only able to approach God in our
weakness? If we claim understanding, are we always sinful?
C. Organization - Where the elements of "B" are located
Step III - Composition
A. Immediate Context - preceding/following pericope
Manuscript kephalaia divisions:
All of chapter 9 and 10 are put together into one reading.
B. Organization of the Compositional Whole
The Gospel of John can be outlined as follows:
Prologue 1.1-18
JesusÆ public ministry
The search for the Incarnate Word 1.19-4.54
The rejection of the Incarnate Word 5.1-12.50
JesusÆ teachings among his own 13.1-17.26
The rejection and glorification of Jesus 18.1-19.42
The risen Word and the empowerment of his own 20.1-20.31
Epilogue 21.1-21.25
In this pericope, we are clearly seeing how Jesus is rejected by the
Pharisees, and to a lesser extent, in the blind manÆs parents, how Jesus
is rejected by ordinary Jews who are afraid to question the status quo.
C. Issues of Authorship
Step IV - Context
A. Primitive Christianity
NT references (other than those from John) from NA 26
verses 1-9
Lk 13.2-5 And Jesus said to them, "Do you suppose that these Galileans
were greater sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered this
fate? "I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise
perish. "Or do you suppose that those eighteen on whom the tower in
Siloam fell and killed them were worse culprits than all the men who
live in Jerusalem? "I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all
likewise perish."
Mk 8,23! Taking the blind man by the hand, He brought him out of the
village; and after spitting on his eyes and laying His hands on him, He
asked him, "Do you see anything?"
Lk 13.4 "Or do you suppose that those eighteen on whom the tower in
Siloam fell and killed them were worse culprits than all the men who
live in Jerusalem? "I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all
likewise perish."
verses 16-17
1 Cor 1.22 For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom;
Mt 11.14 "And if you are willing to accept it, John himself is Elijah
who was to come.
verses 22-25
Lk 6.22 "Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and
insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man.
Lk 17.18 ôWas no one found who returned to give glory to God, except
this foreigner?"
Rev 14.7 and he said with a loud voice, "Fear God, and give Him glory,
because the hour of His judgment has come; worship Him who made the
heaven and the earth and sea and springs of
waters."
verses 39-41
Mt 11.25 At that time Jesus said, "I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven
and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and
intelligent and have revealed them to infants.
B. Old Testament and Judaism
Throughout this section of John, people are trying to figure out who
Jesus is and how he fits into the order of things. In this pericope,
the Pharisees say they will follow Moses, not Jesus. Earlier, Jesus
himself brings Moses into the discussion (5.46, 7.19).
In 8.39, the Jews who believe in Jesus, try to make sense out of who
Jesus is in relation to Abraham. This is quickly followed by some Jews
accusing Jesus of being a Samaritan and a demon.
OT references from NA 26
verses 1-7
Ex 20.5 "You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your
God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the
children, on the third and the fourth generations of
those who hate Me,
Jer 13.16 Give glory to the LORD your God,
Before He brings darkness
And before your feet stumble
On the dusky mountains,
And while you are hoping for light
He makes it into deep darkness,
And turns it into gloom.
2 Kings 5.10 Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, "Go and wash in the
Jordan seven times, and your flesh will be restored to you and you will
be clean."
Isa 8.6-8 Again the LORD spoke to me further, saying,
Isaiah 8:6
"Inasmuch as these people have rejected the gently flowing waters of
Shiloah
And rejoice in Rezin and the son of Remaliah;
"Now therefore, behold, the Lord is about to bring on them the strong
and abundant waters of the Euphrates, Even the king of Assyria and all
his glory;
And it will rise up over all its channels and go over all its banks.
"Then it will sweep on into Judah, it will overflow and pass through,
It will reach even to the neck;
And the spread of its wings will fill the breadth of your land, O
Immanuel.
verses 16-17
Prov 1.28 "Then they will call on me, but I will not answer;
They will seek me diligently but they will not find me,
verses 22-25
Jos 7.19 Then Joshua said to Achan, "My son, I implore you, give glory
to the LORD, the God of Israel, and give praise to Him; and tell me now
what you have done. Do not hide it from me."
Ps 68.35 God, You are awesome from Your sanctuary.
The God of Israel Himself gives strength and power to the people.
Blessed be God!
verses 34
Ps 51.7 Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
C. Hellenistic World
Step V - Distillation
A. Summary of Salient Features
1) This reading begins with a significant teaching that is quickly left
behind in the subsequent story: Not all suffering is directly connected
to sin.
2) Jesus is the light of the world. In contrast, everyone is pretty
confused.
3) There is a strong tendency to disbelieve. Those who want to
disbelieve may end up using social pressure and even violence against
those who do.
4) Jesus came to judge the world.
5) Our blindness in spiritual terms arises from our sin and reticence to
confess.
6) Believing tends to change and challenge our view of the world. Thus,
people with different beliefs tend to have conflicts.
B. Smooth Translation
1 And passing along he saw a man who had been blind from birth.
2 And his disciples asked him, saying, ôRabbi, who sinned (hemarten),
this man or his parents, that he was born blind?
3 Jesus answered, ôNeither this man sinned, nor his parents, but the
works of God will be manifested that in him.
4 We must work the works of the one having sent me while it is day.
Night comes, when no one can work.
5 While I am in the cosmos, I am the light of the cosmos.
6 Having said this, he spat on the ground and made clay of the spit, and
he anointed the clay upon the eyes.
7 And he said to him, ôGo, wash in the pool of Siloam, which is
interpreted, sent. He went and washed, and came back able to see.
8 Therefore the neighbors and those who saw before that he was blind,
said, ôIs not this he who was sitting and begging?ö
9 Some said that it is he, but others that it is only similar to him.
He said, ôI am he.ö
16 Therefore some of the Pharisees said, ôThis man is not from God,
because he does not keep the sabbath. But others said, ôHow is a sinful
man able to do such signs?ö And a schism there was among them.
17 They say therefore to the blind one again, ôWhat do you say about
him, because he opened your eyes?ö And he said that he is a prophet.
22 His parents said these things because they feared the Jews, for
already the Jews had agreed that if anyone should acknowledge him
Christ, they would be put away from the synagogue.
23 Therefore his parents said that he was of age, you question him.
24 They called therefore the man a second time who was blind, and said
to him, ôGive glory to God. We know this man is sinful.
25 Therefore he answered, if he is sinful, I know not. One thing I
know, that having been blind, now I see.
34 They answered and said to him, ôYou were born wholly in sin, and you
teach us? And they cast him out.
39 And Jesus said, ôFor judgement I came into this cosmos, that the ones
not seeing, may see, and the ones seeing, may become blind.
40 Some of the Pharisees being with him heard these things, and they
said to him, ôWe are not also blind?
41 Jesus said to them, ôIf yÆall were blind, yÆall would not have had
sin. But now yÆall say, We see, your sin remains.
C. Hermeneutical Bridge
The God-inspired life of love is all too easy to deny, even to those
who are very religious.
Step VI - Contemporary Address
A. Description of Audience
A distant-suburban middle-class congregation.
B. Intended Goals for the Address
To encourage us all to let our hearts and minds remain open to GodÆs
prompting. It is not enough to have faith in our religious past, we
must also recognize GodÆs acts around us today, keeping in mind that
those acts will be as surprising to us as GodÆs acts were to the people
of JesusÆ day.
Sermon Outline - First Draft
ôThe Blind May See, and Those Who Do See May Become Blindö
My NeighborsÆ Street Lights
We live in the country. I enjoy walking after dark and before dawn,
seeing the stars. But as more people move to our area, they are
installing street lights. This changes the environment. What was a
country neighborhood is now more like a city suburb.
This is the nature of light. It changes things. And, I must say,
these street lights annoy me. They have taken away much of the beauty
of my neighborhood. When light comes on the scene, a new world begins.
John uses the metaphor of light to show how Jesus changes the world, by
illuminating things that were hidden. The Pharisees claimed to cherish
GodÆs works as they read them in scripture. But when GodÆs works
actually happen around them, they are annoyed. The works of Jesus
reveal a new side to the Pharisees.
It is the same way for the parents of the blind man. When Jesus
arrives, they must choose between parental loyalty by backing up their
son, or community acceptance. They choose to let their son stand alone
so that they might keep their place in the community.
The physical light in my neighborhood is a bad thing when it comes at
night, in my opinion. But my neighbors seem to like it. I suppose it
gives them a sense of security. But JesusÆ light, a spiritual light, is
even more divisive. It is more powerful because it reveal things about
our deepest selves and not just about the world around us.
Jesus is the Light of the World
Light changes the environment. It reveals new things that cannot be
seen in the dark. In this story, Jesus reveals that compassion for
those who are suffering can over-ride the sabbath observance. He may be
saying that love is more important than religious acts, just as God had
said many times before in the Hebrew prophets, ôI desire mercy, and not
sacrifice.ö
Those who are aware of the human suffering in places like Cuba and Iraq
and Palestine are anxious for our government to work for a better and
more peaceful life for those people. But those who are interested only
in the political realm, look at the world differently. They want a
desirable political solution. Sadly, people on both sides of these
arguments often do not want to hear about the facts that cause the other
side to believe as they do. People do not always want more light shed
on their life. It makes things more complicated.
Conclusion
John encourages us all to let our hearts and minds remain open to GodÆs
prompting. God can and will work in our lives. It is not enough to
have faith in our religious past, we must also recognize GodÆs acts
around us today, keeping in mind that those acts will be as surprising
to us as GodÆs acts were to the people of JesusÆ day. As Jesus said,
ôThe blind may see, and those who do see may become blind.ö Keep your
spiritual eyes open to all that God is doing around us. Amen.