John 9:17 – “Then they turned again to the blind man, ‘What have you to say about him? It was your eyes he opened.’ The man replied, ‘He is a prophet.’”
Extended Explanation
This verse continues the investigation into the healing of the man born blind. The Pharisees, after arguing among themselves, decide to question the man directly again. They ask him, “What have you to say about him?” They want to know what he thinks about Jesus, the one who healed him.
The healed man gives a straightforward answer: “He is a prophet.” At this point, his understanding of Jesus is still developing. He knows Jesus is no ordinary man—this kind of miracle could only be done by someone sent by God. Since prophets in the Old Testament often performed miracles (Elijah, Elisha, Moses), calling Jesus a prophet is the most logical conclusion he can make at this stage.
This is a key moment in the man’s spiritual journey. He does not yet fully recognize Jesus as the Son of God, but he is moving in the right direction. As the chapter progresses, his understanding will grow until he finally believes in Jesus as Lord (John 9:38).
Historical Context
In first-century Judaism, a prophet was someone who spoke for God and performed signs or miracles to confirm their message. The Pharisees knew this, and yet they refused to consider Jesus as a prophet because He did not fit into their religious system.
In the Old Testament, prophets often confronted corrupt religious leaders. The Pharisees probably recognized that if Jesus was truly a prophet, then their authority was being challenged. Rather than accepting this, they tried to discredit the miracle and the man who had been healed.
This was also not the first time religious leaders had rejected a prophet. Throughout Israel’s history, many prophets were rejected by their own people (Jeremiah, Isaiah, even Moses at times). Jesus was following that same pattern—performing undeniable miracles, yet still facing resistance from those in power.
Theological Implications
This verse reveals several important spiritual truths:
- Spiritual growth is a process. The healed man does not immediately understand everything about Jesus, but his faith grows as he experiences more opposition.
- People must decide who Jesus is. The Pharisees keep pressing the man because they know they cannot ignore what happened. The same is true today—everyone must make a decision about Jesus.
- Truth is not based on popularity. The Pharisees, the most respected religious figures of the time, rejected Jesus. But the healed man, an outcast, saw the truth more clearly than they did.
This verse reminds us that God often reveals Himself to those who are open to the truth, rather than to those who think they already have all the answers.
Literary Analysis
John’s Gospel frequently highlights misunderstandings that lead to deeper truth. The healed man’s statement, “He is a prophet,” is true but incomplete. He is on a journey of discovery, much like many people who begin by recognizing Jesus as a great teacher before eventually realizing He is much more.
This moment also serves as a contrast between the healed man’s simple faith and the Pharisees’ stubborn disbelief. While they refuse to acknowledge the truth, the man boldly declares what he knows, even if he doesn’t yet have the full picture.
John also uses this interrogation to build suspense. The healed man will continue to be questioned, and each time, his faith and courage grow stronger. Eventually, he will fully embrace Jesus as the Son of Man (John 9:35-38), while the Pharisees will become more entrenched in their rejection.
Relevant Biblical Cross-References
- Deuteronomy 18:15 – Moses prophesies that God will raise up a prophet like him. Some Jews believed this referred to the coming Messiah.
- Luke 7:16 – After Jesus raises a widow’s son from the dead, the people say, “A great prophet has appeared among us.”
- John 4:19 – The Samaritan woman at the well also recognizes Jesus as a prophet before realizing He is the Messiah.
- Matthew 21:11 – When Jesus enters Jerusalem, the crowds say, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
- John 9:38 – Later, the healed man goes beyond calling Jesus a prophet and worships Him as Lord.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
This verse reminds believers that spiritual growth often happens in stages. Many people come to faith in Jesus gradually—first seeing Him as a good teacher or prophet before realizing He is the Son of God.
It also challenges us to boldly testify to what we know. The healed man didn’t have all the answers, but he shared what he did understand. Likewise, Christians don’t need to know everything about theology to share their testimony. Simply saying, “Jesus changed my life” is powerful.
Additionally, this verse warns against being so stuck in religious traditions that we miss what God is doing. The Pharisees had knowledge of the Scriptures, but they were blinded by their own pride. This is a reminder to always be open to God’s truth, even when it challenges our preconceptions.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God’s love is seen in how He patiently reveals Himself to those who seek Him. The healed man did not have perfect understanding at first, but God guided him step by step until he saw the full truth.
This shows that God does not expect people to have everything figured out before they come to Him. He meets people where they are and leads them deeper into faith.
It also shows that God values personal faith over religious status. The Pharisees were highly educated but spiritually blind. The healed man was an outcast, but because he was open to the truth, God revealed Himself to him.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
This verse highlights the identity of Jesus. Even though the healed man only calls Him a prophet at this point, it is still a major step toward recognizing Him as the Messiah and Son of God.
Jesus was often compared to the great prophets, but He was much more. He not only spoke for God, He spoke as God. This is why, later in the chapter, Jesus fully reveals Himself to the man, leading him to worship.
It also connects to the rejection of Jesus. Just as past prophets were rejected by Israel, Jesus faced opposition from the religious leaders. But, just like those prophets, His message could not be stopped.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- Why do you think the Pharisees asked the healed man for his opinion on Jesus?
- What does this verse teach us about the process of growing in faith?
- Have you ever had a time when your understanding of Jesus deepened over time? What led to that growth?
- Why do you think the religious leaders resisted the truth, while the blind man was open to it?
- How can you share your faith, even if you don’t have all the answers?