Devine Scripture

John 9:11

What does John 9:11 mean?

A plain-English look at John 9:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 9:11 means

The healed man recounts the essentials: “The man that is called Jesus” made clay, anointed his eyes, told him to wash in Siloam; he went, washed, and received sight. His testimony is factual and modest. He identifies Jesus by name but calls him “the man,” indicating that his understanding is still developing. The emphasis falls on obedience to Jesus’ command and the undeniable result. This straightforward account avoids embellishment, underscoring credibility. It models how a witness tells what happened without yet grasping all theological implications. The miracle’s sequence—word given, command obeyed, sight granted—quietly highlights Jesus’ authority at work through simple trust.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

He answered, The man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to Siloam, and wash: so I went away and washed, and I received sight.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

He answered, The man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to Siloam, and wash: so I went away and washed, and I received sight.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

His answer was: The man who is named Jesus put earth mixed with water on my eyes, and said to me, Go and make yourself clean in Siloam: so I went away and, after washing, am now able to see.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

he answered and said, `A man called Jesus made clay, and rubbed my eyes, and said to me, Go away to the pool of Siloam, and wash; and having gone away and having washed, I received sight;'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

He answered: That man that is called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and said to me: Go to the pool of Siloe and wash. And I went: I washed: and I see.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

He answered [and said], A man called Jesus made mud and anointed mine eyes, and said to me, Go to Siloam and wash: and having gone and washed, I saw.

Context

This verse answers the neighbors’ “How?” by presenting the first, clearest telling of the event. It keeps the focus on Jesus’ action and the man’s response. The concise testimony becomes the baseline from which the authorities will probe for inconsistencies or grounds to accuse. As the story moves next to the question, “Where is he?” the scene shifts away from the man’s experience to the absence of Jesus, which will intensify the authorities’ efforts to control the narrative and challenge the legitimacy of the healer.

v.10They said therefore unto him, How then were thine eyes opened?

v.11This passage

v.12And they said unto him, Where is he? He saith, I know not.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • John 9:6

    When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and anointed his eyes with the clay,

  • John 9:27

    He answered them, I told you even now, and ye did not hear; wherefore would ye hear it again? would ye also become his disciples?

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore John 9

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on John 9.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to John 9:11.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary