JOHN 9:18–23
THE PARENTS’ FEAR AND THE COST OF TESTIMONY
BRIEF INTERPRETATION
Text – John 9:18–23
18 Now the Jews did not believe that he had been blind and gained his sight until they summoned the parents of the one who had gained his sight.
19 They asked them, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How does he now see?”
20 His parents answered and said, “We know that this is our son and that he was born blind.
21 How he now sees, we do not know, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him, he is of age; he can speak for himself.”
22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that anyone who acknowledged him as the Christ would be expelled from the synagogue.
23 For this reason his parents said, “He is of age; question him.”
Historical and Jewish Context
Expulsion from the synagogue was a severe social and religious punishment in first-century Judaism. It meant exclusion from worship, community life, and social security. The parents’ fear reflects the real cost of confessing faith in Jesus during a time of intense opposition. Their cautious testimony affirms the miracle but avoids naming Jesus, illustrating how fear of authority could silence truth. This passage reflects the broader experience of early Jewish Christians who faced exclusion for acknowledging Jesus as the Messiah.
Catholic Theological Perspective
This passage highlights the tension between faith and fear. Catholic theology acknowledges human weakness in the face of persecution, while also calling believers to courageous witness. The parents’ response contrasts with their son’s growing boldness. Faith demands personal commitment; it cannot be lived secondhand. The passage challenges believers to examine where fear may inhibit full confession of Christ.
Parallels in Scripture
Proverbs 29:25 – Fear of others as a snare.
Isaiah 51:7 – Do not fear human reproach.
John 12:42–43 – Belief without public confession.
Matthew 10:32–33 – Acknowledging Christ before others.
Acts 5:29 – Obedience to God over men.
Key Terms
Expelled from the synagogue – Social and religious exclusion.
Fear – Obstacle to witness.
Testimony – Truth under pressure.
Christ – The Messiah confessed or denied.
Of age – Personal responsibility for faith.
Catholic Liturgical Significance
This Gospel is proclaimed during Lent, especially in preparation for Baptism. The Church presents this passage to reflect on the cost of discipleship and the courage required to confess Christ publicly.
Conclusion
John 9:18–23 reveals how fear can silence even those who know the truth. While the miracle is undeniable, confession is costly. The passage invites believers to move beyond fear toward courageous and personal faith.
Reflection
Where does fear limit my witness to Christ?
Am I willing to stand for truth despite consequences?
Do I rely on others to speak my faith, or do I speak myself?
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen my heart when fear tempts me to silence. Grant me courage to confess You openly and to stand firm in faith. Free me from fear of rejection and help me to trust in You alone. Amen.
DETAILED INTERPRETATION
(18) After all this, the Jews refused to believe that the man had been blind and had recovered his sight; so they called his parents
The Pharisees wanted to prove that the miracle was a made-up story for the popularity of Jesus. If that miracle was real, they would have to acknowledge the divine power of Jesus whom they hated and wanted to pull down. So, they summoned the formerly blind man’s parents. Pessimists will always look for loopholes to prove their views.
(19) And asked them, “Is this your son? You say that he was born blind, how is it that he now sees?”
The Jews needed two witnesses to prove the truth. The healed man’s parents would be the best witnesses because they knew him from birth. The Pharisees asked three questions to the parents:
(1) Was he their son?
(2) Was he born blind?
(3) How did he get the sight?
The second question, “who you say was born blind” implied that they did not believe he was born blind. If he was born with eyesight and became blind later, that would lessen the quality of the miracle and the credibility of the claims made in favour of Jesus.
(20) The parents answered, “We know he is our son and we know he was born blind”
They could give positive answers to the first two questions. They confirmed to the Jews that the formerly blind man was their son and that he was born blind.
(21) “But how it is that he now sees, we do not know, neither do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him, he is old enough. Let him speak for himself.” (22) The parents said this because they feared the Jews who had already agreed that whoever confessed Jesus to be the Messiah was to be put out of the synagogue. (23) That is why his parents said, “He is old enough, ask him”
The parents might know the truth from their son that Jesus healed him. They were not eyewitnesses to the miracle, and they knew the ill intention of the Jews. So, they did not want to give a correct answer to the third question because they were afraid of expulsion from the synagogue. The decision to expel from the synagogue must have been a local one and was not a formal order from the Sanhedrin because the disciples of Jesus continued to be members of the synagogue for many more years until 85 AD. The parents requested the Jews to seek the answer from their adult son who knew how he received the healing and who did it for him. The parents took a neutral stand to keep away from the political undercurrents.