John 9:13
What does John 9:13 mean?
A plain-English look at John 9:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 9:13 means
The neighbors escort the healed man to the Pharisees, the recognized interpreters of the Law and arbiters of such matters. This move seems reasonable on the surface—verify the miracle and pronounce judgment. Yet it also draws the event into a setting where tradition and authority will be threatened. The Pharisees are confronted with a sign that may require them to reconsider their views of Jesus. The verse shows how public miracles become public issues. What began as a personal mercy now becomes a test case for religious leadership, setting up an official examination that will probe the circumstances more than rejoice in the mercy shown.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000They bring to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind.
KJV
King James Version · 1611They brought to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901They bring to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949They took him before the Pharisees--this man who had been blind.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862They bring him to the Pharisees who once <FI>was<Fi> blind,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752They bring him that had been blind to the Pharisees.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890They bring him who was before blind to the Pharisees.
Context
After the neighborhood questions stall, the case is taken to the authorities. This escalation is key to the chapter’s narrative arc: from wonder to controversy to confession and exclusion. Bringing the man to the Pharisees introduces the Sabbath detail that will dominate their evaluation. The next verses will reveal their priorities and divisions, showing how the sign exposes hearts. As the examination proceeds, the healed man’s testimony remains simple and consistent, while the authorities’ responses become more conflicted and hostile.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 11:57
Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given commandment, that, if any man knew where he was, he should show it, that they might take him.
- John 8:3
And the scribes and the Pharisees bring a woman taken in adultery; and having set her in the midst,
- John 12:19
The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Behold how ye prevail nothing; lo, the world is gone after him.
- John 11:46
But some of them went away to the Pharisees, and told them the things which Jesus had done.
- John 12:42
Nevertheless even of the rulers many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess it, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:
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