John 9:34
What does John 9:34 mean?
A plain-English look at John 9:34 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 9:34 means
Unable to answer his reasoning, they resort to insult and exclusion: “Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us?” Their words echo the very assumption Jesus rejected earlier—that congenital affliction proves personal guilt. Claiming superior status, they dismiss his testimony and cast him out, likely from the synagogue community. This action exposes their spiritual blindness and hardness of heart. Rather than shepherd the flock, they expel a man whom God has just visited with mercy. The cost of confessing truth becomes clear, yet so does the emptiness of authority that will not bow to evident works of God.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.
KJV
King James Version · 1611They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Their answer was: You came to birth through sin; do you make yourself our teacher? And they put him out of the Synagogue.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862They answered and said to him, `In sins thou wast born altogether, and thou dost teach us!' and they cast him forth without.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752They answered and said to him: Thou wast wholly born in sins; and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890They answered and said to him, Thou hast been wholly born in sins, and thou teachest us? And they cast him out.
Context
This verse concludes the interrogation phase with a decisive, punitive outcome. After the healed man’s airtight case, the leaders abandon debate and assert control through exclusion. This sets up the final movement of the chapter: Jesus will seek out the cast-off man, reveal Himself as the Son of God, and receive his worship. The contrast between rejection by the synagogue and reception by Jesus becomes a powerful picture of where true fellowship and life are found.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 7:48
Hath any of the rulers believed on him, or of the Pharisees?
- Isaiah 66:5
Hear the word of Jehovah, ye that tremble at his word: Your brethren that hate you, that cast you out for my name’s sake, have said, Let Jehovah be glorified, that we may see your joy; but it is they that shall be put to shame.
- Proverbs 26:12
Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him.
- Job 25:4
How then can man be just with God? Or how can he be clean that is born of a woman?
- Job 15:14
What is man, that he should be clean? And he that is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?
- Psalms 51:5
Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity; And in sin did my mother conceive me.
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.