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
INTRODUCTION
The passage Gospel of John 9:35–38 marks a decisive turning point in the narrative of the man born blind. After being cast out by the religious authorities, the man is sought out by Jesus Himself. This initiative reflects a deeply biblical pattern: God seeks those who are rejected or marginalized. In Jewish tradition, expulsion from the synagogue meant not only religious exclusion but also social isolation. Jesus’ deliberate search for the man reveals God’s fidelity to those who suffer for truth.
Jesus now moves the man from physical healing to explicit faith. By asking, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” Jesus uses a title rooted in Jewish apocalyptic hope, especially from Daniel 7:13–14, where the “Son of Man” represents a divinely authorized figure who receives authority and glory from God. When Jesus reveals that He Himself is the Son of Man, the healed man responds with belief and worship. This is the first explicit act of worship offered to Jesus by the man, showing the completion of his journey from blindness to faith.
Jn 9:35 — “Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, ‘Do you believe in the Son of Man?’”
This verse is one of the most tender and revealing moments in the Gospel. The man is cast out by religious authority, but immediately found by Jesus. Rejection becomes the doorway to deeper encounter.
“Jesus heard” shows attentiveness and care. The Lord is not distant from suffering caused by faithfulness. What others do in injustice does not escape His notice.
“That they had thrown him out” recalls the cost of truth. The man has lost community, security, and religious belonging. Yet this loss prepares him for a fuller revelation of Christ.
“And when he found him” is rich with meaning. Jesus actively seeks the one who has been rejected. The verb suggests intentional pursuit. When the world casts out, Christ draws near.
“He said” introduces a personal conversation. The interrogation by authorities gives way to invitation by Jesus. This is no trial—this is encounter.
“Do you believe” shifts the focus from argument to faith. Jesus does not ask what the man knows, but whom he trusts. Faith, not debate, is the goal.
“In the Son of Man” reveals Jesus’ identity while inviting growth. The title points to Daniel’s vision of one who receives authority from God. Jesus invites the man into a deeper, more complete belief than before.
This verse shows a profound truth: those who are excluded for the sake of truth are never abandoned by Christ. In fact, rejection often becomes the moment of greatest revelation.
For believers today, this verse offers deep consolation. Faithfulness may lead to loss—but it also leads to closer intimacy with Jesus.
Historical and Jewish Context
The title “Son of Man” carried messianic and divine authority connotations (cf. Daniel 7). Being expelled from the synagogue often marked a painful separation from religious life.
Catholic Theological Perspective
The Church teaches that Christ seeks those who suffer for righteousness and leads them to deeper faith. True belief matures through encounter with the rejected Christ (cf. CCC 440, 1816).
Key Terms
Heard — Christ’s attentive care
Found him — divine seeking
Believe — invitation to faith
Son of Man — messianic authority
Conclusion
John 9:35 reveals the heart of Christ. He seeks the faithful who suffer and invites them into deeper belief. What was lost before human authority is restored in divine relationship.
Reflection
Do I trust that Jesus seeks me especially in moments of rejection or loss?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, when I feel cast out or misunderstood for the sake of truth, help me recognize Your presence. Draw me closer to You and deepen my faith in who You truly are. Amen.
Jn 9:36 — “He answered and said, ‘Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?’”
This verse reveals the healed man’s readiness for full faith. Having stood firm under rejection and exclusion, he now stands open before Jesus in humility and desire. Sight has led him not only to courage, but to longing.
“He answered and said” shows a willing response. Unlike earlier interrogations, this exchange is marked by openness rather than defense. The man is no longer pressured; he is invited.
“Who is he” expresses genuine seeking. This is not skepticism, but hunger for truth. The man desires not information alone, but relationship.
“Sir” conveys respect and trust. Though he does not yet fully recognize Jesus’ identity, his posture is reverent. Faith often begins with reverence before full recognition.
“That I may believe” reveals intention. The man is already disposed toward faith. Belief is not forced upon him; it is something he actively desires.
“In him” shows that faith is personal. The object of belief is not an idea or doctrine alone, but a person. The man is ready to entrust himself.
This verse is deeply moving. The man who once sat begging in blindness now stands seeking the fullness of truth. Rejected by institutions, he is drawn toward Christ Himself.
For believers today, this verse models authentic discipleship. Faith grows when we remain open, humble, and eager to believe more deeply—even when we do not yet see everything clearly.
Historical and Jewish Context
Seeking the identity of a divine messenger was common in biblical encounters. Respectful address and readiness to believe marked genuine openness to God’s revelation.
Catholic Theological Perspective
The Church teaches that faith is both a gift and a human response. God invites, and the human heart freely seeks and consents (cf. CCC 153, 166).
Key Terms
Who is he — sincere seeking
Sir — reverent openness
Believe — trust and assent
Answered — willing response
Conclusion
John 9:36 shows faith poised at the threshold of fullness. The healed man stands ready—not demanding proof, but asking for the One worthy of belief.
Reflection
Do I seek Jesus with the same humility and desire to believe more deeply?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, deepen my desire to know You more fully. Give me a heart that seeks You sincerely and a faith ready to grow wherever You lead me. Amen.
Jn 9:37 — “Jesus said to him, ‘You have seen him, and the one speaking with you is he.’”
This verse is the moment of full revelation. The journey from blindness to sight reaches its climax—not merely in physical vision, but in personal encounter with Christ revealed in truth.
“Jesus said to him” emphasizes intimacy and directness. This is no longer public debate or interrogation. It is a personal disclosure from Christ to one who has remained faithful under trial.
“You have seen him” carries profound double meaning. The man has not only received physical sight, but now spiritual sight as well. The gift given at the beginning of the chapter reaches its fulfillment here.
“And the one speaking with you” highlights presence. Revelation is not distant or abstract. God speaks face to face. The truth is not merely told—it stands before him.
“Is he” is a clear self-identification. Jesus reveals Himself as the Son of Man, the one worthy of belief. What the man sought with humility is now answered with clarity.
This verse shows that perseverance in truth leads to deeper revelation. The man was faithful with partial understanding, and Christ now entrusts him with full knowledge. Sight leads to faith; faith leads to encounter.
For believers today, this verse is deeply consoling. Christ reveals Himself to those who remain faithful, especially when faith has cost them comfort, status, or belonging.
Historical and Jewish Context
Personal divine self-disclosure echoes biblical patterns where God reveals Himself to the humble and faithful rather than to the powerful or proud.
Catholic Theological Perspective
The Church teaches that Jesus reveals His identity progressively to those open in faith. Encounter with Christ is the heart of belief (cf. CCC 426, 459).
Key Terms
Seen — physical and spiritual sight
Speaking with you — personal revelation
He — fulfillment of faith
Said — divine self-disclosure
Conclusion
John 9:37 is the reward of faithful witness. The one who stood firm in truth now stands face to face with the Truth Himself.
Reflection
Do I trust that fidelity in small steps of faith leads to deeper encounter with Christ?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for revealing Yourself to those who seek You with sincerity. Open my eyes to recognize You present in my life, speaking truth and inviting deeper faith. Amen.
Jn 9:38 — “He said, ‘Lord, I believe,’ and he worshiped him.”
This verse is the climax of faith in the chapter. The man’s journey from blindness to sight now reaches its highest point—not in argument or testimony, but in adoration. Faith blossoms into worship.
“He said” shows a free and personal response. No pressure remains. What is spoken now comes from conviction and love.
“Lord” is a decisive confession. The man moves beyond calling Jesus “the man,” “a prophet,” or even a teacher. He now acknowledges Jesus with a title of authority and reverence that, in John’s Gospel, carries divine weight.
“I believe” is simple, total, and complete. This is not partial belief or cautious assent. It is wholehearted trust. Faith has matured through suffering, rejection, and encounter.
“And he worshiped him” is the ultimate sign of recognition. Worship belongs to God alone. The man’s action affirms Jesus’ divine identity more clearly than any argument could. What the authorities refused to see, the healed man now fully perceives.
This verse reveals the goal of all signs in John’s Gospel: not amazement, not debate, but worship. The miracle leads to confession, and confession leads to adoration.
For believers today, this verse offers a model of true discipleship. Faith is not complete until it becomes worship—until we bow before Christ in trust, love, and surrender.
Historical and Jewish Context
Worship (proskynesis) involved bodily reverence and was directed only toward God. John’s inclusion of this act is a strong affirmation of Jesus’ divinity.
Catholic Theological Perspective
The Church teaches that faith naturally leads to worship. Recognizing Christ as Lord culminates in adoration, especially expressed in the sacramental life of the Church (cf. CCC 2096–2097, 2628).
Key Terms
Lord — divine authority
I believe — full assent of faith
Worshiped — adoration of God
Said — personal confession
Conclusion
John 9:38 reveals the true end of enlightenment: worship. The man who once begged in darkness now stands in light, confessing and adoring the Lord of all.
Reflection
Does my faith lead me beyond belief into genuine worship and surrender to Christ?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, I believe. Draw me into deeper worship and loving surrender. May my faith always lead me to adore You as Lord and God. Amen.
CONCLUSION
John 9:35–38 teaches that true faith is a personal encounter with Jesus. Healing alone does not automatically lead to discipleship; it is revelation and response that complete the journey. In the present time, this passage reminds us that faith deepens when we allow Christ to reveal Himself more fully, especially after moments of suffering or rejection. Those who lose human approval for the sake of truth often gain a clearer vision of who Christ truly is.
The man’s response—“Lord, I believe,” followed by worship—shows that authentic faith leads naturally to adoration. He no longer merely speaks about Jesus; he now commits himself to Him. This passage invites believers today to move beyond knowing about Christ to truly believing in Him, allowing every experience of grace or trial to lead us into deeper worship and surrender.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, Son of Man and Son of God, seek us when we are wounded or rejected. Reveal Yourself to us more deeply, and lead us from gratitude for Your gifts to full faith in Your person. May we respond with humble belief and worship, offering our lives entirely to You. Amen.