What does "Give glory to God" mean in the context of John 9:24? Setting the Scene • John 9 recounts Jesus healing a man born blind. • After investigating, the Pharisees remain unconvinced that Jesus acted by God’s power. • John 9:24: “So a second time they summoned the man who had been blind and said, ‘Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner.’” Old Testament Echoes • “Give glory to God” is an idiom rooted in passages like Joshua 7:19 and Jeremiah 13:16. – It functions as a solemn charge: “Tell the truth before God, hold nothing back.” – Joshua 7:19: “My son, give glory to the LORD, the God of Israel, and make confession to Him.” • The Pharisees invoke this formula to pressure the man into a confession that fits their narrative. What the Pharisees Meant • They assume Jesus is a sinner; therefore, He cannot be the source of the miracle. • By telling the man, “Give glory to God,” they demand he: – Deny any role Jesus had in his healing. – Attribute the miracle solely to God in a way that excludes Jesus. – Align his testimony with their verdict: “This man is a sinner.” The Irony • The man’s truthful testimony actually glorifies God by exalting Jesus, the very One who performed the sign. – John 9:33: “If this man were not from God, He could do no such thing.” • True glory to God cannot be separated from honoring His Son. – John 5:23: “Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.” – Philippians 2:11: “Every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Layers of Meaning 1. Immediate sense: “Swear to tell the truth before God.” 2. Pharisaic twist: “Tell the ‘truth’ we accept—Jesus is a sinner.” 3. Divine intent: “Acknowledge the work and person of Jesus, thus truly glorifying God.” Lessons for Today • Honoring God means embracing the full testimony of Scripture about Jesus—His deity, His works, His words. • Attempts to honor God while sidelining Christ inevitably fail; real glory flows through recognition of the Son (Romans 15:6, John 15:8). • Our confession must match reality, even under pressure. Like the healed man, we glorify God by standing firm on what He has done in our lives (1 John 5:10). |
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