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Book of John - Chapter 9 - Verse 21

9:21
But by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself.

Meaning

This verse from the Gospel of John Chapter 9 verses 21-22 describes the reaction of the parents of a man who was born blind and miraculously healed by Jesus. The parents were being questioned by the Pharisees about how their son received his sight, but they were too afraid to speak openly because they feared being put out of the synagogue. Instead, they directed the Pharisees to ask their son directly, as he was of age and could speak for himself. This passage highlights the tension between faith and fear, as the parents knew the truth but were too afraid to speak out. It also emphasizes the importance of personal testimony in matters of faith and belief. Just like the blind man in this story, each individual has their own story of encountering God's grace and power that can be shared to testify to the truth of the gospel. Ultimately, this verse teaches us to be bold in sharing our faith and not be afraid to speak up for what we believe in.

Theological Overview

One interesting theological interpretation of this verse is the theme of spiritual blindness and revelation. The blind man's physical blindness serves as a metaphor for spiritual blindness, which is a common theme in the Bible. The man's healing represents the opening of his eyes to see not just with physical sight but with spiritual insight as well. The uncertainty surrounding how he was healed or who opened his eyes can be seen as a lesson in faith and trust in God's mysterious ways. The phrase "he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself" also underscores the idea of personal accountability and individual testimony in matters of faith. This verse challenges us to consider the ways in which we may be spiritually blind and need our eyes opened to see the truth of God's revelation.

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