John 9:22
What does John 9:22 mean?
A plain-English look at John 9:22 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 9:22 means
John explains the parents’ caution: they feared “the Jews,” meaning the religious authorities who had already agreed to expel anyone confessing Jesus as Christ from the synagogue. This threat made belief a costly stance, carrying social, religious, and economic consequences. The note shows that opposition to Jesus is organized and punitive, not merely intellectual debate. It frames the parents’ reticence not as indifference but as self-protection under pressure. The verse also highlights the courage demanded of those who will openly confess Christ. In contrast to fear-driven silence, faith will soon lead the healed man to a bold, costly confession.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000These things said his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man should confess him to be Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.
KJV
King James Version · 1611These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901These things said his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man should confess him to be Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949They said this because of their fear of the Jews: for the Jews had come to an agreement that if any man said that Jesus was the Christ he would be put out of the Synagogue.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862These things said his parents, because they were afraid of the Jews, for already had the Jews agreed together, that if any one may confess him--Christ, he may be put out of the synagogue;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752These things his parents said, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had already agreed among themselves that if any man should confess him to be Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890His parents said these things because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if any one confessed him [to be the] Christ, he should be excommunicated from the synagogue.
Context
This editorial comment clarifies why the parents answered as they did in the previous verse. It reveals a preexisting policy against confessing Jesus, which shapes the dynamics of the entire interrogation. The detail amplifies the gravity of what is at stake for all involved. With this motive laid bare, the narrative returns in the next verse to the son, who will face the authorities’ intensified efforts to force a particular verdict about Jesus. His response will become a remarkable testimony to truth under duress.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 4:18
And they called them, and charged them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
- Galatians 2:11
But when Cephas came to Antioch, I resisted him to the face, because he stood condemned.
- Isaiah 57:11
And of whom hast thou been afraid and in fear, that thou liest, and hast not remembered me, nor laid it to thy heart? have not I held my peace even of long time, and thou fearest me not?
- Proverbs 29:25
The fear of man bringeth a snare; But whoso putteth his trust in Jehovah shall be safe.
- John 16:2
They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the hour cometh, that whosoever killeth you shall think that he offereth service unto God.
- Acts 5:13
But of the rest durst no man join himself to them: howbeit the people magnified them;
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