JOHN 9:35–38
FROM HEALING TO FAITH: THE SON OF MAN REVEALED
BRIEF INTERPRETATION
Text – John 9:35–38
35 When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, he found him and said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”
36 He answered and said, “Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?”
37 Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and the one speaking with you is he.”
38 He said, “I do believe, Lord,” and he worshiped him.
Historical and Jewish Context
Being expelled from the synagogue left a person religiously and socially isolated. In this moment of exclusion, Jesus seeks out the healed man, revealing God’s initiative toward those rejected by human authority. The title “Son of Man” comes from Daniel’s vision of a heavenly figure given divine authority and worship. For a Jew, offering worship to a human figure would be unthinkable unless that person shared in divine identity. The man’s response shows that he now recognizes Jesus not merely as a healer or prophet, but as the divinely appointed Son of Man.
Catholic Theological Perspective
This passage marks the climax of the man’s journey from physical blindness to full faith. Catholic theology sees here the pattern of Christian conversion: encounter, healing, witness, persecution, and finally confession and worship. Jesus’ self-revelation invites a personal act of faith. The man’s worship of Jesus affirms Christ’s divinity and anticipates the Church’s Eucharistic worship. Faith is shown not merely as intellectual assent but as adoration and surrender.
Parallels in Scripture
Daniel 7:13–14 – The Son of Man receiving worship and authority.
John 1:14 – The Word made flesh, revealing glory.
Matthew 14:33 – Worship of Jesus by the disciples.
Philippians 2:9–11 – Every knee bending before Christ.
Hebrews 1:6 – Angels commanded to worship the Son.
Key Terms
Son of Man – Messianic figure with divine authority.
Believe – Trust leading to commitment.
Seen – Spiritual recognition.
Lord – Confession of divine authority.
Worshiped – Act reserved for God.
Catholic Liturgical Significance
This Gospel is proclaimed during Lent, especially in the final stages of preparation for Baptism. The Church presents this passage as the goal of Christian initiation: full faith in Christ expressed in worship.
Conclusion
John 9:35–38 completes the journey of the man born blind. From darkness to sight, from exclusion to communion, he comes to recognize and worship Jesus as Lord. True faith culminates in adoration.
Reflection
Have I moved from knowing about Jesus to worshiping Him as Lord?
How do trials and rejection deepen my faith?
Do I allow Jesus to seek me out and reveal Himself to me?
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of Man and Lord of glory, I believe in You and adore You. Open my eyes to recognize You more clearly and strengthen my faith to worship You with my whole life. Lead me from darkness into Your light. Amen.
DETAILED INTERPRETATION
(35) Jesus heard that they had driven him out. He found him and said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”
Jesus came in search of the man and found that the Pharisees had expelled him because of his profession of faith in Jesus. His parents had left him to face the Jewish authorities on his own. However, Jesus came to his rescue fulfilling Psalm 27:10, “Though my father and mother forsake me, yet the LORD will receive me.” Jesus gave him another opportunity to declare his faith in the “Son of Man.” Instead of using “Son of God” for himself, Jesus often used “Son of Man” as a human being and as an exalted heavenly one as given in Daniel 7.
(36) He answered, “Who is he, sir? Tell me, so I can believe in him!”
Though Jesus had spoken and touched the blind man’s eyes before, he was seeing Jesus only when he returned in search for him. So he could not recognize Jesus. He was curious to find out, understand the ‘Son of Man’ who healed him.
(37) Jesus said, “You have seen him and he is speaking to you”
This answer of Jesus identifying himself as the “Son of Man” was like how Jesus introduced himself to the Samaritan woman in John 4:26, “I who speak to you am he.” Thus, Jesus revealed to this poor man his identity.
(38) He said, “Lord, I believe,” and fell on his knees in worship
The climax of the long event is the profession of faith of this formerly blind beggar and his worship of Jesus as an act of his faith. Like Saint Peter and Saint Thomas, this poor man professed his faith. Like many others, he prostrated and worshipped Jesus. Worship means veneration paid to a divine being. Jesus allowed others to worship him and to acknowledge his divinity though he never looked for it. Several earthly kings had demanded worship, considering themselves as deities. This man worshipped Jesus, humbling himself, expressing his love and gratitude to Jesus. Thus, the blind man’s belief in Jesus started with “a man” later turned into a prophet and finally a Lord and Son of God.
MESSAGE
1. We do not appreciate our gift of sight. God has given us eyes to see the glory of God and to worship him through our service for others. Often, we misuse our eyesight for sins. Then our eyes lead us to spiritual blindness.
2. There could be sickness or disability because of one’s actions or the carelessness of others like drunkenness, smoking, crazy driving, sexual misconduct, or irresponsible behaviour. However, we cannot relate every sickness or accident to the sin of the person involved. So we cannot judge others. Instead, we need to be compassionate and helping those in need, even if it happened because of their fault.
3. The opposition of the religious leaders against Jesus led to the spiritual growth of the blind man. Negativities of others can also cause excellent results in us.
4. The parents of the blind man who got the healing were unwilling to acknowledge that Jesus healed their son. They found excuses such as they were not eyewitnesses, and their son was of age to answer the question. We also sometimes take such a neutral position to save ourselves from the challenges facing the church and its leaders.
5. When we have disabilities, diseases, or other mishaps in life, we should not take such sufferings in a negative sense. God has a plan for each of us and our hardships might lead to the glory of God and betterment of us in time, as with Job and the blind man in this parable.
6. Jesus came in search of the formerly blind man whom the Jews expelled from the community and the parents abandoned for fear of the Jewish leaders. Jesus offered him support and gave him more spiritual sight. Let us know that when we stand for Jesus and face challenges on our faith, Jesus will be our defender.
7. The blind man got double healing: Physical eyesight and spiritual insight that led him to the eternal light through Jesus, the Light of the World. Though many in the world have physical sight, they lack spiritual vision. Let us seek more the spiritual sight for ourselves and those we serve.