Chapter 9:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Lightfoot
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| McGarvey Pendleton
| McGee
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Luke Acts
John 9
Concise Complete
Christ give sight to one born blind. (1-7) The account
given by the blind man. (8-12) The Pharisees question the man that had been
blind. (13-17) They ask concerning him. (18-23) They cast him out. (24-34)
Christ's words to the man that had been blind. (35-38) He reproves the
Pharisees. (39-41)
Verses 1-7 Christ
cured many who were blind by disease or accident; here he cured one born blind.
Thus he showed his power to help in the most desperate cases, and the work of
his grace upon the souls of sinners, which gives sight to those blind by nature.
This poor man could not see Christ, but Christ saw him. And if we know or
apprehend anything of Christ, it is because we were first known of him. Christ
says of uncommon calamities, that they are not always to be looked on as special
punishments of sin; sometimes they are for the glory of God, and to manifest his
works. Our life is our day, in which it concerns us to do the work of the day.
We must be busy, and not waste day-time; it will be time to rest when our day is
done, for it is but a day. The approach of death should quicken us to improve
all our opportunities of doing and getting good. What good we have an
opportunity to do, we should do quickly. And he that will never do a good work
till there is nothing to be objected against, will leave many a good work for
ever undone,
ecclesiastes 11:4 .
Christ magnified his power, in making a blind man to see, doing that which one
would think more likely to make a seeing man blind. Human reason cannot judge of
the Lord's methods; he uses means and instruments that men despise. Those that
would be healed by Christ must be ruled by him. He came back from the pool
wondering and wondered at; he came seeing. This represents the benefits in
attending on ordinances of Christ's appointment; souls go weak, and come away
strengthened; go doubting, and come away satisfied; go mourning, and come away
rejoicing; go blind, and come away seeing.
Verses 8-12 Those
whose eyes are opened, and whose hearts are cleansed by grace, being known to be
the same person, but widely different in character, live as monuments to the
Redeemer's glory, and recommend his grace to all who desire the same precious
salvation. It is good to observe the way and method of God's works, and they
will appear the more wonderful. Apply this spiritually. In the work of grace
wrought upon the soul we see the change, but we see not the hand that makes it:
the way of the Spirit is like that of the wind, which thou hearest the sound of,
but canst not tell whence it comes, nor whither it goes.
Verses 13-17 Christ
not only worked miracles on the sabbath, but in such a manner as would give
offence to the Jews, for he would not seem to yield to the scribes and
Pharisees. Their zeal for mere rites consumed the substantial matters of
religion; therefore Christ would not give place to them. Also, works of
necessity and mercy are allowed, and the sabbath rest is to be kept, in order to
the sabbath work. How many blind eyes have been opened by the preaching of the
gospel on the Lord's day! how many impotent souls cured on that day! Much
unrighteous and uncharitable judging comes from men's adding their own fancies
to God's appointments. How perfect in wisdom and holiness was our Redeemer, when
his enemies could find nothing against him, but the oft-refuted charge of
breaking the sabbath! May we be enabled, by well-doing, to silence the ignorance
of foolish men.
Verses 18-23 The
Pharisees vainly hoped to disprove this notable miracle. They expected a
Messiah, but could not bear to think that this Jesus should be he, because his
precepts were all contrary to their traditions, and because they expected a
Messiah in outward pomp and splendour. The fear of man brings a snare,
proverbs 29:25 , and
often makes people deny and disown Christ and his truths and ways, and act
against their consciences. The unlearned and poor, who are simple-hearted,
readily draw proper inferences from the evidences of the light of the gospel;
but those whose desires are another way, though ever learning, never come to the
knowledge of the truth.
Verses 24-34 As
Christ's mercies are most valued by those who have felt the want of them, that
have been blind, and now see; so the most powerful and lasting affections to
Christ, arise from actual knowledge of him. In the work of grace in the soul,
though we cannot tell when, and how, and by what steps the blessed change was
wrought, yet we may take the comfort, if we can say, through grace, Whereas I
was blind, now I see. I did live a worldly, sensual life, but, thanks be to God,
it is now otherwise with me,
ephesians 5:8 . The
unbelief of those who enjoy the means of knowledge and conviction, is indeed
marvellous. All who have felt the power and grace of the Lord Jesus, wonder at
the wilfulness of others who reject him. He argues strongly against them, not
only that Jesus was not a sinner, but that he was of God. We may each of us know
by this, whether we are of God or not. What do we? What do we for God? What do
we for our souls? What do we more than others?
Verses 35-38 Christ
owns those who own him and his truth and ways. There is particular notice taken
of such a suffer in the cause of Christ, and for the testimony of a good
conscience. Our Lord Jesus graciously reveals himself to the man. Now he was
made sensible what an unspeakable mercy it was, to be cured of his blindness,
that he might see the Son of God. None but God is to be worshipped; so that in
worshipping Jesus, he owned him to be God. All who believe in him, will worship
him.
Verses 39-41 Christ
came into the world to give sight to those who were spiritually blind. Also,
that those who see might be made blind; that those who have a high conceit of
their own wisdom, might be sealed up in ignorance. The preaching of the cross
was thought to be folly by such as by carnal wisdom knew not God. Nothing
fortifies men's corrupt hearts against the convictions of the word, more than
the high opinion which others have of them; as if all that gained applause with
men, must obtain acceptance with God. Christ silenced them. But the sin of the
self-conceited and self-confident remains; they reject the gospel of grace,
therefore the guilt of their sin remains unpardoned, and the power of their sin
remains unbroken.
Chapter 9:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Lightfoot
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| McGarvey Pendleton
| McGee
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Luke Acts
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
