What does John 9:26 teach about spiritual blindness versus physical blindness? The Verse Itself “Then they asked him, ‘What did He do to you? How did He open your eyes?’ ” (John 9:26) Setting the Scene • Jesus has just healed a man born blind (John 9:1–7). • The once-blind man now stands before the Pharisees, who have already interrogated him once (John 9:15). • Their repetition—“What did He do to you? How did He open your eyes?”—reveals more than mere curiosity. Physical Blindness Addressed • The miracle is undeniable: eyes that had never seen now see. • Jesus’ action is clear evidence of divine power (Isaiah 35:5). • The man’s testimony is simple and consistent: Jesus opened my eyes (John 9:11, 15, 25). Spiritual Blindness Exposed • The Pharisees see physical proof yet refuse its spiritual implication (John 9:16, 24). • Their repeated questioning shows willful unbelief, not lack of information. • They focus on the mechanics—“How did He open your eyes?”—while ignoring what the sign says about Jesus’ identity (John 9:30–33). • Spiritual blindness is a hardened refusal to acknowledge truth already revealed (Matthew 13:13–15). Key Insights • Miracles can open physical eyes, but only faith opens spiritual eyes (2 Corinthians 4:6). • Knowledge alone does not cure unbelief; humility before Christ does (John 5:39–40). • Persistence in rejection deepens blindness; light rejected becomes darkness embraced (John 3:19–20). • The healed man grows in spiritual sight as he testifies; the Pharisees sink further into darkness as they interrogate (John 9:35–41). Supporting Scriptures • Isaiah 42:18–20—Israel called “blind” though possessing physical sight. • 2 Corinthians 4:3–4—The god of this age blinds minds to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel. • Revelation 3:17—Claiming sight yet spiritually “blind, wretched, and naked.” Takeaways for Today • Celebrate Christ’s power to heal both body and soul. • Guard against the pride that keeps evidence in front of us while truth stays outside our hearts. • Seek the Lord for opened eyes, trusting His Word as light to replace every form of darkness. |
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