QUIZ
WITH ANSWERS OUTLINE AND COMMENTARY
JOHN
CHAPTER NINE
OUTLINE OF JOHN
CHAPTER 9
Jesus Heals A Man
Born Blind (verses 1-7)
The Neighbors'
Reaction (verses 8-12)
The Pharisees
Investigate The Healing (verses 13-34)
Spiritual Blindness
(verses 35-41)
Quiz with Answers Outline and Commentary: John Chapter Nine
This document provides a structured outline of John Chapter 9, which details the miraculous healing of a man born blind by Jesus. It includes key events, reactions from the community, and the subsequent investigation by the Pharisees, culminating in a discussion on spiritual blindness. Each section is designed to facilitate understanding and reflection on the themes presented in this chapter.
Outline of John Chapter 9
Jesus Heals A Man Born Blind (verses 1-7)
In this opening section, Jesus encounters a man who has been blind since birth. The disciples question whether the man's blindness is a result of his own sin or that of his parents. Jesus clarifies that neither is the cause; rather, the man's condition serves to display the works of God. He then performs a miracle by making mud with his saliva, applying it to the man's eyes, and instructing him to wash in the Pool of Siloam, resulting in the man gaining his sight.
The Neighbors' Reaction (verses 8-12)
Following the healing, the neighbors and those who had previously known the blind man express astonishment. They debate whether he is indeed the same man who used to beg. The man confirms his identity and recounts the miracle, leading to further inquiries about the healer, Jesus.
The Pharisees Investigate The Healing (verses 13-34)
The neighbors bring the healed man to the Pharisees, who are troubled by the fact that Jesus performed this miracle on the Sabbath. The Pharisees question the man about how he received his sight. The man explains the event, but the Pharisees are divided in their opinions about Jesus. They ultimately confront the man again, questioning his credibility and even expelling him from the synagogue for his testimony about Jesus.
Spiritual Blindness (verses 35-41)
After being cast out, Jesus finds the man and reveals Himself as the Son of Man. The man expresses faith in Jesus, acknowledging Him as Lord. Jesus then speaks to the Pharisees, indicating that their refusal to see the truth about Him constitutes spiritual blindness. He emphasizes that those who claim to see but remain in disbelief are truly blind.
Commentary
John Chapter 9 serves as a profound narrative that not only illustrates Jesus' miraculous power but also highlights the contrasting responses of faith and disbelief. The healing of the man born blind is a powerful metaphor for spiritual enlightenment, while the reactions of the neighbors and the Pharisees underscore the theme of spiritual blindness. This chapter invites readers to reflect on their own perceptions of faith, healing, and the nature of true sight in a spiritual context.
CONSERVATIVE
DOCTRINAL COMMENTARY
1. Jesus Heals A
Man Born Blind (verses 1-7)
Verses 1-3: "As
He Went Along, He Saw A Man Blind From Birth. His Disciples Asked
Him, 'Rabbi, Who Sinned, This Man Or His Parents, That He Was Born
Blind?' 'Neither This Man Nor His Parents Sinned,' Said Jesus, 'but
This Happened So That The Works Of God Might Be Displayed In Him.'"
This Passage
Challenges The Common Misconception That All Suffering Is A Direct
Result Of Personal Sin.
Jesus Refutes This
Notion, Emphasizing That God's Sovereign Purposes Can Be Manifested
Through Human Affliction.
This Aligns With
The Biblical Teaching That While Sin Brought Suffering Into The World
(Romans 5:12), Not All Individual Suffering Is A Punishment For
Specific Sins (cf. Job's Story).
Verses 4-5: "As
Long As It Is Day, We Must Do The Works Of Him Who Sent Me. Night Is
Coming, When No One Can Work. While I Am In The World, I Am The Light
Of The World."
Jesus Emphasizes
The Urgency Of His Earthly Ministry And Reiterates His Role As The
"Light Of The World," A Theme Consistent With John's Gospel
(John 1:4-5, 8:12).
This Statement
Underscores Christ's Deity And His Mission To Bring Spiritual
Illumination To A Darkened World.
Verses 6-7: "After
Saying This, He Spit On The Ground, Made Some Mud With The Saliva,
And Put It On The Man's Eyes. 'Go,' He Told Him, 'wash In The Pool Of
Siloam' (this Word Means 'Sent'). So The Man Went And Washed, And
Came Home Seeing."
The Method Of
Healing Demonstrates Christ's Sovereign Power And Often Involves
Human Participation.
The Man's Obedience
In Washing Illustrates The Principle That Faith Often Requires Action
(James 2:14-26).
The Pool Of
Siloam's Meaning ("Sent") May Symbolize Christ As The One
Sent By The Father, Reinforcing John's Emphasis On Jesus' Divine
Mission.
2. The
Neighbors' Reaction (verses 8-12)
Verses 8-12: "His
Neighbors And Those Who Had Formerly Seen Him Begging Asked, 'Isn't
This The Same Man Who Used To Sit And Beg?' Some Claimed That He Was.
Others Said, 'No, He Only Looks Like Him.' But He Himself Insisted,
'I Am The Man.'"
The Confusion Among
The Neighbors Highlights The Dramatic Nature Of The Miracle.
It Also Foreshadows
The Division That Jesus' Works Often Caused Among People (John 7:43,
10:19).
The Healed Man's
Insistence On His Identity Demonstrates The Transformative Power Of
Christ's Work, Both Physically And Spiritually.
3. The Pharisees
Investigate The Healing (verses 13-34)
Verses 13-16: "They
Brought To The Pharisees The Man Who Had Been Blind. Now The Day On
Which Jesus Had Made The Mud And Opened The Man's Eyes Was A Sabbath.
Therefore The Pharisees Also Asked Him How He Had Received His
Sight... Some Of The Pharisees Said, 'This Man Is Not From God, For
He Does Not Keep The Sabbath.' But Others Asked, 'How Can A Sinner
Perform Such Signs?' So They Were Divided."
This Section
Reveals The Conflict Between Human Traditions And God's Work.
The Pharisees'
Focus On Sabbath Regulations Over The Miraculous Healing Demonstrates
How Legalism Can Blind People To God's Activity.
This Incident
Aligns With Other Gospel Accounts Where Jesus Challenges
Misinterpretations Of The Sabbath Law (Mark 2:23-28, Luke 13:10-17).
Verses 24-25: "A
Second Time They Summoned The Man Who Had Been Blind. 'Give Glory To
God By Telling The Truth,' They Said. 'We Know This Man Is A Sinner.'
He Replied, 'Whether He Is A Sinner Or Not, I Don't Know. One Thing I
Do Know. I Was Blind But Now I See!'"
The Healed Man's
Testimony Is A Powerful Example Of Personal Faith.
His Simple Yet
Profound Statement Echoes The Assurance That Comes From A Genuine
Encounter With Christ.
This Passage
Underscores The Importance Of Personal Experience In One's Faith
Journey, While Not Negating The Need For Sound Doctrine (1 Peter
3:15).
4. Spiritual
Blindness (verses 35-41)
Verses 35-38:
"Jesus Heard That They Had Thrown Him Out, And When He Found
Him, He Said, 'Do You Believe In The Son Of Man?' 'Who Is He, Sir?'
The Man Asked. 'Tell Me So That I May Believe In Him.' Jesus Said,
'You Have Now Seen Him; In Fact, He Is The One Speaking With You.'
Then The Man Said, 'Lord, I Believe,' And He Worshiped Him."
This Climactic
Scene Reveals Jesus' Divine Identity And The Appropriate Response Of
Worship.
The Term "Son
Of Man" Is A Messianic Title (Daniel 7:13-14), And Jesus'
Acceptance Of Worship Further Affirms His Deity.
This Passage
Teaches That True Faith Culminates In The Worship Of Christ As Lord.
Verses 39-41:
"Jesus Said, 'For Judgment I Have Come Into This World, So That
The Blind Will See And Those Who See Will Become Blind.'... 'If You
Were Blind, You Would Not Be Guilty Of Sin; But Now That You Claim
You Can See, Your Guilt Remains.'"
Jesus Concludes
With A Powerful Statement On Spiritual Blindness.
Those Who Recognize
Their Spiritual Need (the "blind") Receive Sight, While
Those Who Think They See (like The Pharisees) Remain In Darkness.
This Teaching
Aligns With The Biblical Themes Of Humility Leading To Spiritual
Insight (James 4:6) And The Danger Of Spiritual Pride (Revelation
3:17-18)
ADDITIONAL
COMMENTARY OUTLINE
The Nature Of
Suffering And God's Purpose
Challenging Common
Misconceptions About The Cause Of Suffering
God's Sovereignty
In Using Trials For His Glory
Jesus As The Light
Of The World
Symbolic Act Of
Bringing Light To Darkness Through Healing
Fulfillment Of Old
Testament Prophecies About The Messiah
The Importance Of
Obedience And Faith
The Blind Man's
Trust In Following Jesus' Instructions
Progressive Nature
Of Faith As Seen In The Man's Growing Understanding
Conflict Between
Truth And Tradition
Pharisees'
Adherence To Sabbath Laws Over Recognizing God's Work
Danger Of Religious
Legalism Blinding One To God's Activity
Spiritual Blindness
Vs. Physical Blindness
Irony Of Those With
Sight Being Spiritually Blind
Jesus' Mission To
Bring Both Physical And Spiritual Healing
Persecution For
Faith In Christ
The Healed Man's
Boldness In Defending Jesus
Cost Of
Discipleship: Rejection By Religious Authorities
Jesus' Revelation
Of His Divine Identity
Claim To Be The Son
Of Man (Messianic Title)
Call For Worship
And Faith In Him As God
QUIZ QUESTIONS
WITH ANSWERS
1. Who Did The
Disciples Think Had Sinned, Causing The Man To Be Born Blind?
Answer: The Man Or
His Parents (John 9:2)
2. What Did Jesus
Say Was The Reason For The Man's Blindness?
Answer: So That The
Works Of God Might Be Displayed In Him (John 9:3)
3. What Did Jesus
Use To Make Mud For The Blind Man's Eyes?
Answer: His Own
Saliva Mixed With Dirt (John 9:6)
4. Where Did Jesus
Tell The Blind Man To Go Wash?
Answer: The Pool Of
Siloam (John 9:7)
5. On What Day Of
The Week Did Jesus Heal The Blind Man?
Answer: The Sabbath
(John 9:14)
6. What Was The
Pharisees' Main Objection To Jesus' Healing?
Answer: He
Performed The Healing On The Sabbath (John 9:16)
7. What Did The
Healed Man Say About Jesus When Asked By The Pharisees?
Answer: He Is A
Prophet (John 9:17)
8. What Happened To
The Healed Man After He Defended Jesus To The Pharisees?
Answer: He Was
Thrown Out Of The Synagogue (John 9:34)
