John 9:3
What does John 9:3 mean?
A plain-English look at John 9:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 9:3 means
Jesus rejects the blame framework: the man’s blindness is not the direct result of his sin or his parents’. Instead, Jesus locates the purpose of this suffering in God’s plan to display His works. This does not deny the reality of a fallen world but redirects attention from fault-finding to God’s glory revealed in mercy. The verse invites readers to view affliction through a redemptive lens—God may turn even long-standing pain into a stage for His power. Jesus positions the coming healing as a revelation of God’s active presence, not merely relief for one person but a sign pointing to who He is and what He does.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Jesus answered, Neither did this man sin, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Jesus answered, Neither did this man sin, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Jesus said in answer, It was not because of his sin, or because of his father's or mother's; it was so that the works of God might be seen openly in him.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Jesus answered, `Neither did this one sin nor his parents, but that the works of God may be manifested in him;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Jesus answered: Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents; but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Jesus answered, Neither has this [man] sinned nor his parents, but that the works ofGod should be manifested in him.
Context
This answer follows the disciples’ question and lays the theological foundation for the miracle. By redefining the issue, Jesus prepares the reader to see the healing as a manifestation of God’s works, not as a case study in karma. The statement also leads directly into Jesus’ sense of mission and urgency in the next verses. It will shape how the entire episode is interpreted by neighbors and authorities—some will see God’s hand; others will refuse. Thus, verse 3 is a hinge: it silences false causes and opens the door to a sign that reveals God’s glory in Christ.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 14:11
Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.
- Acts 4:21
And they, when they had further threatened them, let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people; for all men glorified God for that which was done.
- Ecclesiastes 9:1
For all this I laid to my heart, even to explore all this: that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God; whether it be love or hatred, man knoweth it not; all is before them.
- Matthew 11:5
the blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good tidings preached to them.
- Acts 28:4
And when the barbarians saw the venomous creature hanging from his hand, they said one to another, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped from the sea, yet Justice hath not suffered to live.
- Job 1:8
And Jehovah said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job? for there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and turneth away from evil.
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