John 9:10
What does John 9:10 mean?
A plain-English look at John 9:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 9:10 means
The neighbors ask the obvious follow-up: how were his eyes opened? Their question shows a genuine desire to understand, but it also frames the issue in a way that will invite controversy. “How” focuses on method and process rather than on the identity and authority of the healer. Still, it provides the healed man an opening to testify. The verse reflects how God’s works often provoke curiosity that can lead either to faith or to skepticism. Depending on where one looks—means or meaning—people may either recognize God’s hand or get stuck investigating the mechanics.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000They said therefore unto him, How then were thine eyes opened?
KJV
King James Version · 1611Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901They said therefore unto him, How then were thine eyes opened?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949So they said to him, How then were your eyes made open?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862They said, therefore, to him, `How were thine eyes opened?'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752They said therefore to him: How were thy eyes opened?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890They said therefore to him, How have thine eyes been opened?
Context
With the man’s identity settled by his own admission, the conversation turns to the cause of the change. This prepares the healed man to give his first account of Jesus’ actions. His testimony will be repeated several times, each repetition scrutinized more intensely. The initial question from neighbors leads naturally to broader attention. Their inquiry becomes the bridge to the formal investigations by the Pharisees, who will focus on the Sabbath and on Jesus’ legitimacy rather than simply rejoicing in the healing.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 9:21
but how he now seeth, we know not; or who opened his eyes, we know not: ask him; he is of age; he shall speak for himself.
- John 9:15
Again therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he received his sight. And he said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and I see.
- Mark 4:27
and should sleep and rise night and day, and the seed should spring up and grow, he knoweth not how.
- Ecclesiastes 11:5
As thou knowest not what is the way of the wind, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child; even so thou knowest not the work of God who doeth all.
- John 9:26
They said therefore unto him, What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes?
- 1 Corinthians 15:35
But some one will say, How are the dead raised? and with what manner of body do they come?
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