JOHN 9:13–17
THE PHARISEES QUESTION THE SIGN: DIVISION OVER JESUS
BRIEF INTERPRETATION
Text – John 9:13–17
13 They brought the one who was once blind to the Pharisees.
14 Now Jesus had made clay and opened his eyes on a sabbath.
15 So then the Pharisees also asked him how he was able to see. He said to them, “He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and now I can see.”
16 So some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, because he does not keep the sabbath.” But others said, “How can a sinful man do such signs?” And there was a division among them.
17 So they said to the blind man again, “What do you say about him, since he opened your eyes?” He said, “He is a prophet.”
Historical and Jewish Context
The Pharisees were guardians of the Law and its Sabbath regulations. Making clay was considered work, and thus forbidden on the Sabbath according to strict interpretations. Instead of rejoicing in the miracle, the authorities focus on legal compliance. This reaction reflects a broader tension in Jewish society between strict legalism and openness to God’s unexpected action. The division among the Pharisees shows that Jesus’ signs forced even religious experts to confront the possibility of divine intervention beyond established categories.
Catholic Theological Perspective
This passage reveals how legalism can obscure recognition of God’s work. Catholic theology teaches that the law finds its fulfillment in love and mercy. The healing on the Sabbath reveals Jesus as Lord of the Sabbath and agent of God’s saving work. The healed man’s confession progresses from naming Jesus to calling Him a prophet, showing the gradual growth of faith. True faith often matures through questioning and challenge.
Parallels in Scripture
Exodus 20:8–11 – The Sabbath commandment.
Isaiah 42:6–7 – Opening blind eyes.
John 5:9–18 – Healing on the Sabbath.
Matthew 12:1–8 – Mercy over sacrifice.
Luke 7:16 – Recognition of a prophet.
Key Terms
Sabbath – Day of rest fulfilled in Christ.
Clay – Means of divine action.
Division – Response to revelation.
Signs – Works pointing to God.
Prophet – One sent by God.
Catholic Liturgical Significance
This Gospel is proclaimed during Lent, especially in catechetical contexts. The Church uses this passage to teach discernment: recognizing God’s work beyond rigid expectations.
Conclusion
John 9:13–17 highlights the conflict between rigid legalism and living faith. While some reject Jesus for breaking Sabbath norms, others begin to recognize God’s power at work. The healed man’s growing confession invites believers to deepen their own faith.
Reflection
Do I allow rules to overshadow mercy?
Am I open to recognizing God’s work in unexpected ways?
How does my faith grow through questioning?
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, open my eyes to see Your work beyond my limited understanding. Free me from rigid judgment and lead me into deeper faith. May I recognize You as truly sent by God and follow You faithfully. Amen.
DETAILED INTERPRETATION
(13) The people brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. (14) Now it was a Sabbath day when Jesus made clay and opened his eyes
The Jews in Jerusalem knew that their conservative leaders, especially Pharisees, hated Jesus because he was not following the Sabbath observance. Since Jesus healed the blind man on a Sabbath, they wanted confirmation from the Pharisees to keep him as a member of the synagogue. The Jews had expelled from the synagogue everyone who accepted Jesus. The people and their leaders did not acknowledge God’s glory revealed through Jesus for the blind beggar. Instead, they made use of it to plot against Jesus.
Though spitting on the ground, making clay out of it, rubbing it on the eyes, and asking the blind man to walk a long distance were simple acts, the Pharisees considered them as the violation of Sabbath observance. For Jesus, these were acts of mercy that perfected the Sabbath adherence. Such acts of mercy were not against the spirit of Mosaic Law, but against the onerous rules, that had later evolved. From the Pharisees’ point of view, Jesus should have done the miracle on another day. As per Rabbinic rules, only in case of imminent danger can someone perform acts of recovery on a Sabbath.
(15) So the Pharisees asked him again, “How did you recover your sight?” And he said once more, “He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and now I see”
The Pharisees started their investigation. To their question, the formerly blind man answered a summarized version of what he had told his neighbours and acquaintances. The brief answer expressed his displeasure in the interrogation. He sensed that the Pharisees were not appreciating the grace he received but were trying to find fault with his benefactor. So, he skipped the details to avoid more accusations against Jesus. He did not mention the name of Jesus, how he made clay, and sent him to the pool of Siloam. Thus, he tried to protect his benefactor.
(16) Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he works on the Sabbath;” but others wondered, “How can a sinner perform such miraculous signs?” So they were divided
One group of Pharisees could not appreciate the miraculous healing Jesus did to the blind beggar. From a negative perspective, they could see Jesus as a violator of the Sabbath observance. The other group had a logical question: How could a sinful man do such an amazing miracle? Their guess could be positive or negative. In the positive sense, they could mean that Jesus must be from God to perform such a sign and hence he could not be a sinner. Some members of the Sanhedrin like Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea had such a view. In the negative sense, as a sinful person, Jesus was performing miracles with the help of Beelzebul, the prince of the demons (Mt 12:24).
(17) And they questioned the blind man again, “What do you think of this man who opened your eyes?” And he answered, “He is a prophet”
Since the Pharisees could not agree on who Jesus was, they asked the formerly blind man’s opinion on what he thought of Jesus because he was the one who experienced the miracle. A positive response on Jesus could cause him trouble from the Pharisees, including expulsion from the synagogue. That happened later. However, unlike the earlier occasion when he qualified Jesus as a “man,” this time he presented Jesus, whom he never saw but experienced, as “a prophet.” A prophet meant a messenger from God, and he knew that some former prophets performed miracles. Thus, the blind man who gained his sight also gained spiritual sight.