John 9:30
What does John 9:30 mean?
A plain-English look at John 9:30 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 9:30 means
The healed man answers with astonishment: it is remarkable that the leaders do not know where Jesus is from, given that He opened his eyes. His point is plain—such a sign speaks for itself. The marvel is not only the miracle but their ignorance in the face of it. He challenges their authority by exposing its inability to recognize God’s work. This is a courageous move, flipping the interrogation. His words assert that evidence should inform judgment: a man who gives sight where there was none cannot be dismissed as of unknown origin. The sign demands acknowledgment of a divine sending.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000The man answered and said unto them, Why, herein is the marvel, that ye know not whence he is, and yet he opened mine eyes.
KJV
King James Version · 1611The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901The man answered and said unto them, Why, herein is the marvel, that ye know not whence he is, and yet he opened mine eyes.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949The man said in answer, Why, here is a strange thing! You have no knowledge where he comes from though he gave me the use of my eyes.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862The man answered and said to them, `Why, in this is a wonderful thing, that ye have not known whence he is, and he opened my eyes!
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752The man answered and said to them: why, herein is a wonderful thing, that you know not from whence he is, and he hath opened my eyes.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890The man answered and said to them, Now in this is a wonderful thing, that ye do not know whence he is, and he has opened mine eyes.
Context
This reply directly counters the authorities’ claim of ignorance about Jesus’ origin. It introduces the man’s short, powerful argument that will unfold in the next verses, appealing to shared theological premises. The shift in tone is decisive—the witness becomes the examiner. This reversal escalates the conflict to a point of no return. The authorities, unable to refute the logic, will resort to personal attack and exclusion. The debate moves from origin as a claim to origin inferred from works.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 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.
- John 12:37
But though he had done so many signs before them, yet they believed not on him:
- Isaiah 35:5
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.
- Isaiah 29:18
And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity and out of darkness.
- 2 Corinthians 4:6
Seeing it is God, that said, Light shall shine out of darkness, who shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
- John 3:10
Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou the teacher of Israel, and understandest not these things?
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.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Abiding in Christ
Key scriptures reveal what it means to abide in Christ, emphasizing our continuous connection and dependence on Him for spiritual life and fruitfulness.
Topic
Bible Verses About Authority
Authority in the Bible refers to the divinely instituted right to command and influence, often reflecting God's sovereign rule and delegation to human leaders.
Topic
Bible Verses About Bible Reading
The Bible encourages us to read, study, and meditate on God’s Word to grow in faith and wisdom.
What the Bible says about…
Verses for this moment
Verses for
Bible Verses for the Fear of Losing a Loved One
When you can't stop imagining the worst — verses to put your loved one back in God's hands.
Verses for
Bible Verses for the Fear of Death
When you're afraid to die — what scripture promises about the last enemy.
Verses for
Bible Verses for Grief After Losing Someone You Love
When the room is empty — verses that grieve with you, not around you.