John 9:35
What does John 9:35 mean?
A plain-English look at John 9:35 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 9:35 means
Jesus hears of the man’s expulsion and finds him. He asks, “Dost thou believe on the Son of God?” This question shifts from benefit to belief. Jesus seeks not only to heal bodies but to bring people into saving faith. The title “Son of God” signals a claim to divine identity and authority. By pursuing the outcast, Jesus shows shepherd-like care, welcoming those rejected for speaking truth. The initiative remains His—from seeing the blind man to seeking him after rejection. The question invites the man into a deeper relationship than mere gratitude for healing.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and finding him, he said, Dost thou believe on the Son of God?
KJV
King James Version · 1611Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and finding him, he said, Dost thou believe on the Son of God?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949It came to the ears of Jesus that they had put him out, and meeting him he said, Have you faith in the Son of man?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Jesus heard that they cast him forth without, and having found him, he said to him, `Dost thou believe in the Son of God?'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Jesus heard that they had cast him out. And when he had found him, he said to him: Dost thou believe in the Son of God?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him, he said to him, Thou, dost thou believe on the Son ofGod?
Context
After the man is cast out by the authorities, Jesus reenters the scene. The timing is crucial: human rejection creates space for divine revelation. The focus now moves from debates about Sabbath and signs to the central issue of faith in Jesus’ person. The coming exchange will complete the man’s journey from calling Jesus “the man,” to “a prophet,” to confessing Him as the Son of God. It also prepares for Jesus’ teaching about true sight and blindness addressed to onlooking Pharisees.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Romans 10:20
And Isaiah is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I became manifest unto them that asked not of me.
- John 11:27
She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I have believed that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, even he that cometh into the world.
- John 3:36
He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life; but he that obeyeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.
- John 20:31
but these are written, that ye may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye may have life in his name.
- John 10:36
say ye of him, whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?
- John 1:49
Nathanael answered him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art King of Israel.
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