What is the meaning of John 9:2? His disciples asked Him • The disciples’ question grows out of traveling with Jesus and watching Him heal (compare Matthew 13:36; Mark 9:28). • They come directly to Him, showing that genuine learners bring perplexities to the Lord rather than speculate among themselves (James 1:5). • Their inquiry signals trust that Jesus holds authoritative answers—He is not merely a miracle worker but the revealer of truth (John 6:68). “Rabbi,” • By calling Him “Rabbi” (teacher), they acknowledge His spiritual authority (John 1:38; 3:2). • The title carries reverence; they expect instruction grounded in Scripture, not opinion (Matthew 7:28-29). • Addressing Jesus this way reminds us to approach Scripture eager to be taught, not to confirm our own ideas (Psalm 25:4-5). “who sinned,” • The disciples assume a direct link between personal sin and suffering, a common belief in their day (Job 4:7; Luke 13:1-5). • Scripture does affirm that suffering can be the consequence of sin (Numbers 12:9-10; 1 Corinthians 11:30), yet it also shows the righteous may suffer innocently (Job 1-2; Psalm 73). • Their assumption gives Jesus an opportunity to clarify that not all suffering traces to a specific personal offense (John 9:3). “this man or his parents,” • Two possibilities they see: – The man sinned in some pre-birth manner. – His parents sinned and he bears the consequence. • The thought of inherited guilt reflects texts like Exodus 20:5, yet Ezekiel 18:20 and Deuteronomy 24:16 stress individual responsibility. • Their either-or framework is too narrow; Jesus will reveal a third, God-centered purpose (Romans 8:28). “that he was born blind?” • Congenital blindness was viewed as especially tragic; healing it would unmistakably display divine power (Psalm 146:8; Exodus 4:11). • The phrasing implies lifelong hardship, setting the stage for a miracle that points to Jesus as “the light of the world” (John 9:5). • Jesus’ response in the next verse teaches that some afflictions exist so “that the works of God might be displayed” (John 9:3), redirecting attention from blame to God’s glory. summary The disciples’ question in John 9:2 exposes a common but limited assumption: suffering must be a direct payback for specific sin. By addressing it, Jesus shifts the focus from assigning fault to unveiling God’s redemptive purpose. Not every hardship is punitive; some become platforms where the Lord’s power and compassion shine, inviting us to trust Him and look for His glory in every circumstance. |
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