Topical Bible: Clay: Blind Man's Eyes Anointed With

◄ Clay: Blind Man's Eyes Anointed With ►

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In the New Testament, the use of clay in the miraculous healing of a blind man is a significant event that underscores the power and authority of Jesus Christ. This event is recorded in the Gospel of John, specifically in John 9:1-12. The narrative provides a profound insight into the nature of Jesus' miracles and His mission on earth.

Biblical Account

The account begins with Jesus encountering a man who was blind from birth. The disciples, curious about the cause of the man's blindness, asked Jesus, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" (John 9:2). Jesus responded, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God would be displayed in him" (John 9:3). This statement shifts the focus from a punitive understanding of suffering to a redemptive purpose, highlighting God's sovereignty and the manifestation of His works.

Jesus then performed a unique miracle. He "spat on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and applied it to the man’s eyes" (John 9:6). This act of anointing the man's eyes with clay is rich in symbolism and significance. The use of clay, a humble and earthly substance, reflects the incarnation of Christ—God taking on human form. It also echoes the creation narrative, where God formed man from the dust of the ground (Genesis 2:7).

After applying the clay, Jesus instructed the man, "Go, wash in the Pool of Siloam" (John 9:7). The man obeyed, and upon washing, he "came back seeing" (John 9:7). This miraculous healing not only restored the man's physical sight but also served as a testament to Jesus' divine authority and His role as the Light of the World (John 9:5).

Theological Implications

The miracle of the blind man’s healing through the anointing with clay carries deep theological implications. It illustrates the transformative power of Christ, who brings light and understanding to those in spiritual darkness. The act of using clay signifies the tangible and personal nature of Jesus' ministry, where He engages with the physical world to bring about spiritual truths.

Furthermore, this miracle challenges the prevailing beliefs of the time regarding sin and suffering. Jesus' declaration that the man's blindness was not due to sin but for the glory of God invites believers to view suffering through the lens of divine purpose and redemption.

Reactions and Responses

The healing of the blind man elicited varied reactions from those who witnessed or heard of the event. The man's neighbors and those who had seen him begging were astonished and questioned whether he was the same person (John 9:8-9). The Pharisees, upon investigating the miracle, were divided in their opinions. Some questioned Jesus' adherence to the Sabbath, while others recognized the impossibility of such a miracle without divine intervention (John 9:16).

The healed man himself became a bold witness to the power of Jesus, asserting, "One thing I do know: I was blind, but now I see!" (John 9:25). His testimony stands as a powerful declaration of faith and the undeniable reality of Christ's miraculous work.

Conclusion

The anointing of the blind man's eyes with clay is a profound demonstration of Jesus' healing power and His mission to bring spiritual enlightenment. It serves as a reminder of the transformative encounter with Christ, who uses the ordinary to reveal the extraordinary, and who calls His followers to witness to the light they have received.

Nave's Topical Index

John 9:6
When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay,
Nave's Topical Index

Library

On the Same Lesson of the Gospel, John ix. , on the Giving Sight ...
... out continued blind, forasmuch as they cavilled at the Lord, that it was the sabbath
when He made clay of the spittle, and anointed the eyes of the blind man. ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lxxxvi on the same.htm

Contention Over the Man Born Blind.
... the faith and the confession of this man.] 12 And ... 13 They bring to the Pharisees
him that aforetime was blind. ... on the day when Jesus made the clay, and opened ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/lxxxi contention over the man.htm

Sight Given to the Blind.
... He answered, The man that is called Jesus made clay ... They bring to the Pharisees him
that aforetime was blind. ... on the day when Jesus made the clay, and opened ...
/.../dods/the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol i/xx sight given to the.htm

Jesus and the Blind Man.
... 6. He spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle. ... He had volunteered the cure
in this case; he therefore anointed the blind man's eyes and bade him ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/jesus and the blind man.htm

John Chapter ix
... "He spat on the ground," He made clay of His spittle; for the Word was made flesh.
[821] "And He anointed the eyes of the blind man." The anointing had taken ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xliv john chapter ix.htm

The Sixth Miracle in John's Gospel --The Blind Made to See, and ...
... 'When Jesus had thus spoken, He spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle,
and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, 7. And said unto him ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the sixth miracle in johns.htm

John ix. 6, 7
... John ix.6, 7 "When Jesus had thus spoken, He spat on the ground, and made clay of
the spittle, and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, and said ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily lvii john ix 6.htm

"The Light of Life"
... When He had thus spoken, He spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and
He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, and said unto him, Go ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 51 the light of.htm

The Man Born Blind and Joseph of Arimathea
... When He had thus spoken, He spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle; and
He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, and said unto him: ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/men of the bible/vi the man born blind.htm

John ix. 1, 2
... He made clay, and anointed my eyes, and said to me, Go, wash;' could he not ... ( 2 Kings
5:11.) But the blind man neither disbelieved ... Ought he to have put on clay? ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily lvi john ix 1.htm