Devine Scripture

John 9:7

What does John 9:7 mean?

A plain-English look at John 9:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 9:7 means

Jesus commands the man to wash in the pool of Siloam, and John notes the name means “Sent.” The man obeys, washes, and returns seeing. The healing underscores Jesus’ authority in His word: sight comes as the man acts on Jesus’ instruction. The mention of “Sent” quietly links the pool to Jesus, who repeatedly identifies Himself as sent by the Father. Obedience becomes the pathway to blessing, not as a work that earns healing, but as trust expressed in action. The outcome is total reversal—eyes that never saw now see—forever changing the man’s life and setting the stage for public scrutiny and testimony.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam (which is by interpretation, Sent). He went away therefore, and washed, and came seeing.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam (which is by interpretation, Sent). He went away therefore, and washed, and came seeing.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And said to him, Go and make yourself clean in the bath of Siloam (the sense of the name is, Sent). So he went away and, after washing, came back able to see.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`Go away, wash at the pool of Siloam,' which is, interpreted, Sent. He went away, therefore, and did wash, and came seeing;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And said to him: Go, wash in the pool of Siloe, which is interpreted, Sent. He went therefore and washed: and he came seeing.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he said to him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, which is interpreted, Sent. He went therefore and washed, and came seeing.

Context

This verse completes the healing begun with the application of clay. The command to go to Siloam requires faith and movement, making the result public when the man returns. With sight restored, the story shifts from Jesus’ action to the community’s reaction. Neighbors will question his identity, leading to escalating inquiries. The detail about Siloam being interpreted “Sent” subtly ties back to Jesus’ mission from the Father and prepares the reader to connect the sign with the Sender. The man’s obedience and healing initiate the chain of debates that dominate the rest of the chapter.

v.6When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and anointed his eyes with the clay,

v.7This passage

v.8The neighbors therefore, and they that saw him aforetime, that he was a beggar, said, Is not this he that sat and begged?

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 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?

  • Luke 2:32

    A light for revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of thy people Israel.

  • John 9:11

    He answered, The man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to Siloam, and wash: so I went away and washed, and I received sight.

  • John 11:37

    But some of them said, Could not this man, who opened the eyes of him that was blind, have caused that this man also should not die?

  • Psalms 146:8

    Jehovah openeth the eyes of the blind; Jehovah raiseth up them that are bowed down; Jehovah loveth the righteous;

  • 2 Kings 5:10

    And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean.

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