Devine Scripture

John 9:15

What does John 9:15 mean?

A plain-English look at John 9:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 9:15 means

The Pharisees ask the man how he received his sight. He answers briefly and consistently: Jesus put clay on his eyes, he washed, and now he sees. His plain report contrasts with the authorities’ complex concerns. The repetition reinforces the reliability of his testimony. It also keeps the spotlight on the effective word of Jesus and the obedience that followed. The man neither interprets nor argues; he states the facts. This simplicity will later become a powerful rebuke to sophisticated unbelief. The sign is both public and verifiable, yet the response of the leaders will largely turn on their pre-existing judgments rather than on the evident mercy done.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

So the Pharisees put more questions to him about how his eyes had been made open. And he said to them, He put earth on my eyes, and I had a wash and am able to see.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Again, therefore, the Pharisees also were asking him how he received sight, and he said to them, `Clay he did put upon my eyes, and I did wash--and I see.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Again therefore the Pharisees asked him how he had received his sight. But he said to them: He put clay upon my eyes: and I washed: and I see.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

The Pharisees therefore also again asked him how he received his sight. And he said to them, He put mud upon mine eyes, and I washed, and I see.

Context

This is the start of the official interrogation. The question focuses on procedure, fitting their interest in Sabbath observance. The man’s answer matches what he told the neighbors, showing consistency. This sets the foundation for the division that immediately appears among the Pharisees in the next verse. The stage is being set for them to evaluate Jesus not by the good achieved but by their legal criteria, revealing hearts that may be more guarded than open to God’s works.

v.14Now it was the sabbath on the day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes.

v.15This passage

v.16Some therefore of the Pharisees said, This man is not from God, because he keepeth not the sabbath. But others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such signs? And there was a division among them.

Cross references

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

  • John 9:26

    They said therefore unto him, What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes?

  • John 9:10

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

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