The man answered them, “How amazing! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. We know that God doesn’t listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God, and does his will, he listens to him. Since the world began it has never been heard of that anyone opened the eyes of someone born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.”
Parallel Translations
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The man answered them, “How amazing! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes.
We know that God doesn’t listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God, and does his will, he listens to him.
Since the world began it has never been heard of that anyone opened the eyes of someone born blind.
If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.”
-
The man answered and sayde vnto them: this is a merveleous thinge that ye wote not whence he is seinge he hath opened myne eyes.
For we be sure that God heareth not synners. But yf eny man be a worshipper of God and do his will him heareth he.
Sence the worlde beganne was it not hearde that eny man opened the eyes of one that was borne blynd.
If this man were not of God he coulde have done no thinge.
Show all 3 translations
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The man answered, and sayde vnto them, Doutlesse, this is a marueilous thing, that ye know not whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes.
Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him heareth he.
Since the world began, was it not heard, that any man opened the eyes of one that was borne blinde.
If this man were not of God, hee could haue done nothing.
Cross-references (53)
- Proverbs 15:29 (v31) Yahweh is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
- Isaiah 1:15 (v31) When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you. Yes, when you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of…
- Proverbs 28:9 (v31) He who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.
- Micah 3:4 (v31) Then they will cry to Yahweh, but he will not answer them. Yes, he will hide his face from them at that time, because they made their deeds…
- Psalms 145:19 (v31) He will fulfill the desire of those who fear him. He also will hear their cry, and will save them.
Show all 53 cross-references
- Proverbs 1:28-29 (v31) Then they will call on me, but I will not answer. They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me; because they hated knowledge,…
- Psalms 34:15-16 (v31) Yahweh’s eyes are toward the righteous. His ears listen to their cry. Yahweh’s face is against those who do evil, to cut off their memory…
- Zechariah 7:13 (v31) It has come to pass that, as he called, and they refused to listen, so they will call, and I will not listen,” said Yahweh of Armies;
- Psalms 66:18-20 (v31) If I cherished sin in my heart, the Lord wouldn’t have listened. But most certainly, God has listened. He has heard the voice of my prayer.…
- Proverbs 21:13 (v31) Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he will also cry out, but shall not be heard.
- 1 John 3:21-22 (v31) Beloved, if our hearts don’t condemn us, we have boldness toward God; so whatever we ask, we receive from him, because we keep his…
- Job 27:8-9 (v31) For what is the hope of the godless, when he is cut off, when God takes away his life? Will God hear his cry when trouble comes on him?
- Jeremiah 14:12 (v31) When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and meal offering, I will not accept them; but I will consume…
- Ezekiel 8:18 (v31) Therefore I will also deal in wrath. My eye won’t spare, neither will I have pity. Though they cry in my ears with a loud voice, yet I will…
- John 15:16 (v31) You didn’t choose me, but I chose you and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that…
- Psalms 18:41 (v31) They cried, but there was no one to save; even to Yahweh, but he didn’t answer them.
- Job 35:12 (v31) There they cry, but no one answers, because of the pride of evil men.
- Job 42:8 (v31) Now therefore, take to yourselves seven bulls and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and…
- Psalms 143:10 (v31) Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness.
- John 4:34 (v31) Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.
- John 7:17 (v31) If anyone desires to do his will, he will know about the teaching, whether it is from God, or if I am speaking from myself.
- Genesis 20:7 (v31) Now therefore, restore the man’s wife. For he is a prophet, and he will pray for you, and you will live. If you don’t restore her, know for…
- 1 Kings 17:20-22 (v31) He cried to Yahweh, and said, “Yahweh my God, have you also brought evil on the widow with whom I am staying, by killing her son?” He…
- 2 Chronicles 32:20-21 (v31) Hezekiah the king and Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz, prayed because of this, and cried to heaven. Yahweh sent an angel, who cut off…
- Isaiah 58:9 (v31) Then you will call, and Yahweh will answer. You will cry for help, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’ “If you take away from among you the yoke,…
- Jeremiah 11:11 (v31) Therefore Yahweh says, ‘Behold, I will bring evil on them, which they will not be able to escape; and they will cry to me, but I will not…
- Jeremiah 15:1 (v31) Then Yahweh said to me, “Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind would not turn toward this people. Cast them out of my sight,…
- James 5:15-18 (v31) and the prayer of faith will heal him who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess…
- Genesis 19:29 (v31) When God destroyed the cities of the plain, God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the middle of the overthrow, when he overthrew the…
- John 11:41-42 (v31) So they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, “Father, I thank you that you…
- Genesis 18:23-33 (v31) Abraham came near, and said, “Will you consume the righteous with the wicked? What if there are fifty righteous within the city? Will you…
- 1 Kings 18:36-38 (v31) At the time of the evening offering, Elijah the prophet came near, and said, “Yahweh, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Israel, let it…
- Psalms 40:8 (v31) I delight to do your will, my God. Yes, your law is within my heart.”
- Psalms 99:6 (v31) Moses and Aaron were among his priests, Samuel was among those who call on his name. They called on Yahweh, and he answered them.
- Psalms 106:23 (v31) Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had Moses, his chosen, not stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, so that he…
- Psalms 119:18 (v30) Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things out of your law.
- Isaiah 64:4 (v32) For from of old men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, nor has the eye seen a God besides you, who works for him who waits for him.
- John 9:16 (v33) Some therefore of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, because he doesn’t keep the Sabbath.” Others said, “How can a man who is a…
- John 12:37 (v30) But though he had done so many signs before them, yet they didn’t believe in him,
- Isaiah 29:18 (v30) In that day, the deaf will hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind will see out of obscurity and out of darkness.
- John 3:2 (v33) The same came to him by night, and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that…
- Job 20:4 (v32) Don’t you know this from old time, since man was placed on earth,
- Isaiah 29:14 (v30) therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvelous work among this people, even a marvelous work and a wonder; and the wisdom of their…
- John 3:10 (v30) Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and don’t understand these things?
- Acts 5:38-39 (v33) Now I tell you, withdraw from these men, and leave them alone. For if this counsel or this work is of men, it will be overthrown. But if it…
- Isaiah 35:5 (v30) Then the eyes of the blind will be opened, and the ears of the deaf will be unstopped.
- Matthew 11:5 (v30) the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news…
- Luke 1:70 (v32) (as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets who have been from of old),
- Luke 7:22 (v30) Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John the things which you have seen and heard: that the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the…
- 2 Corinthians 4:6 (v30) seeing it is God who said, “Light will shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory…
- Hebrews 10:7 (v31) Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come (in the scroll of the book it is written of me) to do your will, O God.’ ”
- Revelation 16:18 (v32) There were lightnings, sounds, and thunders; and there was a great earthquake, such as has not happened since there were men on the earth,…
- Mark 6:6 (v30) He marveled because of their unbelief. He went around the villages teaching.
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (21 sources)
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John Calvin 1540 · Public Domain On vv30–31 30. Certainly this is wonderful. He indirectly reproves them…
30. Certainly this is wonderful. He indirectly reproves them for remaining unmoved by a miracle so illustrious, and for pretending that they did not know Christ’s calling; as if he had said, that it was highly improper that such a testimony of Divine power should be held in no estimation, and that the calling of Christ, so proved and attested, should obtain no credit among them. And, in order to show more clearly their stupidity or malice, he magnifies the excellence of the miracle from this consideration, that, as far as the memory of men reaches, none was ever heard to say that such a thing was done by a man. Hence it follows that they are malicious and ungrateful, because they voluntarily shut their eyes on a manifest work of God. He infers from this, that Christ was sent by God, because he is endued with so great power of the Spirit of God, to procure credit for himself and for his doctrine.
John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv30–33 30 The man answered and said unto them, Why…
30 The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes.
Ver. 30. And yet he hath opened mine eyes] Which was a foretold sign of the Messiah, Isa 35:4-5, and an office whereto Paul was sent of God, Act 26:18. And surely if God set such a seal to a man’s ministry, as to make him instrumental to the conversion of others, it is a sweet and singular confirmation, Jer 23:22; 1Co 9:2-3.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv30–33 The opening of the eyes of the blind without…
The opening of the eyes of the blind without the application of means rationally probable for the producing such an effect, nay, by the application of means which to all human reason seemed of a quite contrary tendency; and this cure wrought upon one who was not blind by some accidental cause, but by some defect in nature, who had been so from his mother’s womb, was so manifest an effect of the Divine power, as this poor man was astonished at it, that they should not understand that it was done by such a power, either immediately or mediately; especially considering the prophecy concerning the Messias, Isa 35:5,6, to which Christ refers John and his disciples for an evidence of it, Mat 11:5.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
William Burkitt 1703 · Public Domain On v30 In these verses the blind man proceeds to vindicate…
In these verses the blind man proceeds to vindicate our blessed Saviour, who had cured him of his blindness, from the exceptions of the Pharisees, and endeavours, by solid arguments to convince them, that his cure (being born blind) was truly miraculous; and consequently proved Christ to be of God.
1. The man admires that Christ having wrought such a miracle upon him, they should be ignorant of his authority, This is marvellous, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes. He lays down a general proposition, that no deceiver or false teacher is heard of God, or enabled by him to work such miracles as these, but only such faithful servants as do his will, as thus extraordinarily assisted by him. We know that God heareth not sinners; that is, such as love and delight in sin, such as are in a state of sin, and go on in a course of sin, God will not hear such, or answer the prayers of such. Indeed God sometimes hears a sinner’s prayer in wrath, and refuses to hear a saint’s prayer in mercy: but he never denies a saint’s prayer in wrath, or hears a saint’s prayer in mercy. The proposition laid down is an eternal truth: God heareth not sinners; that is, so long as they purpose to continue sinners, and go on in a course of sin, and remain bold and presumptuous sinners.
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Learn thence, That none that live in a course of sin, can reasonably expect that God should hear them, and give in an answer of prayer to them. God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doth his will, him he heareth: that is, if a man feareth God, and worketh righteousness, him the Lord accepteth, heareth, and answereth.
Learn hence, 1. That such as would be heard of God, and accepted with him, must be devout worshippers of him.
2. That it is not enough to prove men religious and acceptable with God, that they are devout worshippers of him, unless they walk in obedience to him, and do his will. If any man be a worshipper of God, and doth his will, him he heareth.
Observe, 3. How the blind man goes on to prove, that Christ had a special authority from God, and an extraordinary presence of God with him in what he did, because he had done such a work as was never done by Moses, or by any of the prophets, or by any person whatsoever, since the creation of the world.
From whence he wisely and well infers, that Christ was a person authorized by and sent of God.
Learn hence, 1. That Christ having done that which was never done before (namely, to give sight to one that was born blind) was an evidence of his omnipotency.
2. That this act of omnipotency proved him to be God. Whatever miracles the prophets wrought, they wrought them by Christ’s power, but Christ wrought this and all other miracles by his own power.
Observe lastly, How this blind man, though unlearned,judges more rightly of divine things, than the whole learned council of the sanhedrin.
When we learn, That we are not always to be led by the authority of councils, popes, or bishops; and that it is not absurd for laymen sometimes to vary from their opinions. These overseers being sometimes guilty of great oversights. Dr. Whitby.
William Burkitt's Expository Notes on the New Testament (1700–1703) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv30–33 Now we know that God heareth not sinners,.... All…
Now we know that God heareth not sinners,.... All mankind are sinners, even God's elect; yea, such who are truly gracious and righteous persons; for there is no man without sin; and God hears such who cry unto him day and night; such Christ came to save; for such he died; and these he calls to repentance; and every penitent sinner God hears: but by "sinners" are meant notorious sinners, such in whom sin reigns, who live in sin, and particularly impostors. The man takes up the word the Jews had made use of, and applied to Christ, Joh 9:24, and suggests, that had Jesus been a sinner, that is, an impostor, God would not have heard him, or have assisted him in doing a miracle, to support an imposture, or cover and encourage a fraud; but that he was heard and assisted, was a plain case: whereas not only they, the learned doctors of the nation, but such an illiterate man as himself knew, that notoriously wicked men, cheats, and deceivers, were not heard of God; and this was known from the Scripture, and all experience; see Psa 66:18. The Persic and Ethiopic versions read, "I know, that God", &c.
but if any man be a worshipper of God; fears the Lord, and worships him in spirit and in truth, both with internal and external worship:
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and doth his will; for it is not everyone that Lord, or draws nigh to God with his mouth, and honours him with his lips, that is a true and sincere worshipper of him; but he that does his will in faith, from a principle of love, and with a view to his glory: and
him he heareth; for he is nigh to all that call upon him in truth; and such an one the man intimates Jesus must be, since it was out of all dispute that God had heard him, and had bore a testimony to him.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv30, 31, 33 The man answered - Utterly illiterate as he was.…
The man answered - Utterly illiterate as he was. And with what strength and clearness of reason! So had God opened the eyes of his understanding, as well as his bodily eyes. Why, herein is a marvelous thing, that ye - The teachers and guides of the people, should not know, that a man who has wrought a miracle, the like of which was never heard of before, must be from heaven, sent by God.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv30–33 Verse 30. Why herein is a marvellous thing] As…
Verse 30. Why herein is a marvellous thing] As if he had said, This is wonderful indeed! Is it possible that such persons as you are, whose business it is to distinguish good from evil, and who pretend to know a true from a false prophet, cannot decide in a case so plain? Has not the man opened my eyes? Is not the miracle known to all the town; and could any one do it who was not endued with the power of God?
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On v30 Joh 9:30-34. The man answered — Utterly illiterate as…
Joh 9:30-34. The man answered — Utterly illiterate as he was: and with what strength and clearness of reason! So had God opened the eyes of his understanding, as well as his bodily eyes! Why, herein is a marvellous thing, that ye — The teachers and guides of the people; know not whence he is — From whence he comes, and who hath sent him; and yet he hath opened mine eyes — Hath wrought a miracle, the like of which was never heard of before. Surely a man who could do such a thing must be from heaven, must be sent of God. It was esteemed by the Jews a peculiar sign of the Messiah, that he should open the eyes of the blind, that is, of those born blind; a miracle never known to be wrought by Moses or any of the prophets. Now we know — Even we of the populace know; God heareth not sinners — Impenitent sinners who continue in sin, so as to answer their prayers in this manner, and assist them to perform such astonishing miracles; which, without his assistance, and that communicated in a very extraordinary degree, could not possibly have been performed. But if any man be a worshipper of God, and do his will — If any man truly worship and serve him; him he heareth — Answereth his prayers, and that sometimes, probably, in a singular sense. Since the world began, &c. — That is, from the beginning of the world; it was never heard, that any man — Who was not a worshipper of God, and a doer of his will, that is, any sinner, any impostor; opened the eyes of one that was born blind. If this man were not of God — Were not sent of God; if he were not a prophet and messenger of God; he could do nothing — Thus the beggar, though illiterate, answered that great body of learned men with such strength of reason, that they had not a word to reply. However, the evidence of his arguments had no other effect but to put them into a passion; insomuch that they railed at him, saying, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us — Thou wicked, illiterate, impudent fellow, whose understanding continues still as blind as thy body was, and who wast born under the heaviest punishment of sin, dost thou pretend to instruct us in a matter of this kind? Us, who are the guides of the people, and eminent for our skill in the law? The reproach, Thou wast altogether born in sins, proceeded from the same general principle from which the question of the disciples arose, (Joh 9:2,) Who did sin, this man or his parents? They inferred from his being born blind, that he was in some peculiar way born in sins. And they cast him out — That is, passed the sentence of excommunication upon him, which was the highest punishment in their power to inflict. From this account we learn, that a plain man, void of the advantages of learning and education, but who has an upright disposition, is in a fairer way to understand the truth, than a whole council of learned doctors, who are under the power of prejudice, and of an earthly mind, lovers of wealth, honour, and pleasure, rather than lovers of God.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv30–33 A marvelous thing - This is wonderful and amazing.
A marvelous thing - This is wonderful and amazing.
Know not from whence he is - That you cannot perceive that he who has performed such a miracle must be from God.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv31–32 God doth not hear sinners. That is, in so…
God doth not hear sinners. That is, in so particular a manner, as to work miracles in favour of them and their doctrine. (Witham)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv30–31 The man answered, Herein is a marvellous thing, that…
The man answered, Herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes--He had no need to say another word; but waxing bolder in defense of his Benefactor, and his views brightening by the very courage which it demanded, he puts it to them how they could pretend inability to tell whether one who opened the eyes of a man born blind was "of God" or "a sinner"--from above or from beneath--and proceeds to argue the case with remarkable power. So irresistible was his argument that their rage burst forth in a speech of intense Pharisaism, "Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us?"--thou, a base-born, uneducated, impudent youth, teach us, the trained, constituted, recognized guides of the people in the things of God! Out upon thee!
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv30–33 30. Ye know not—Ye is here emphatic; ye, who…
30. Ye know not—Ye is here emphatic; ye, who of all ought to know. The opener of my eyes can be no other than God-sent; and this ye are the ones who should know.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv30–33 30. a marvellous thing] Some of the best MSS.…
30. a marvellous thing] Some of the best MSS. read ‘the marvellous thing.’ ‘You, the very people who ought to know such things (Joh_3:10), know not whether He is from God or not, and yet He opened my eyes.’ ‘You’ is emphatic, and perhaps is a taunting rejoinder to their ‘we know that this man is a sinner’ (Joh_9:24) and ‘we know that God hath spoken to Moses’ (Joh_9:29). The man gains courage at their evident discomfiture.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv30–33 (30) Why herein is a marvellous thing.—Several of the…
(30) Why herein is a marvellous thing.—Several of the better MSS. read more emphatically, the marvellous thing. He again puts two contradictory positions—their assertion that they knew not by what authority Jesus did these things (whence He was), and the evident fact that He had opened his eyes. He cannot reconcile their statement with what he knows to be true, and he states his wonder in the strongest form.
That ye know not from whence he is—i.e., ye whose business it is to know, ye who claim for yourselves a special knowledge of all such questions, and whose duty it is to inquire into the authority of any one who asserts that he is a teacher or a prophet. (Comp. Note on Joh_1:24.)
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv30–32 The man answered and said to them, Whyherein is…
The man answered and said to them, Whyherein is the marvelous thing. Lange translates, "With respect to this man, this is marvelous, to wit." The R.T. has accurately given the force of the gar , the combination of ge and ara , by the rendering "why?" The "herein" is the ignorance which the Jews now profess of the Divine call and mission of the Healer. Their confusion, their obscurity, their vacillation, on such a patent fact is the marvel of marvels, almost more wonderful than the cure of his blindness. That ye know not whence he is, and (yet) he opened my eyes. (kai not infrequently has the three of "and yet simple juxtaposition conveying a strong contrast; see Joh_8:55 Joh_6:70 Joh_7:4) The man rises into holy and eloquent wrath. Their entire history, their principles of judging of a prophetic call, the whole modus of Divine revelation, ought to have shown that one whose simple will stood in such vivid juxtaposition with work which none but Almighty God could do, ought to have enlightened them. "The blind man, finding he was argued with, grew bolder, and began to argue in turn; if he had not studied theology (say rabbinical casuistry and Mishnaic accretions to the Divine Law), he at least knew his catechism" (Godet).
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On vv31–32 Now we know that God heareth not sinners
Joh_9:31
Now we know that God heareth not sinners
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True and not true
1.
It is ill to wrench passages of the Bible out of their context, and treat them as infallible scripture when they are only sayings of men. By acting thus foolishly we could prove that there is no God (Psa_14:1), that God hath forgotten His people (Isa_49:14), that Christ was a winebibber (Mat_9:19), and that we ought to worship the devil Mat_4:19). This will never do. We must inquire who uttered the sentence before we venture to preach from it.
2. Our text is the saying of a shrewd blind man who was far from being well instructed. It is to be taken for what it is worth; but by no means to be regarded as Christs teaching. The Pharisees evidently admitted its force, and were puzzled by it. It was good argument as against them. It is true or false as we may happen to view it.
I. IT IS NOT TRUE IN SOME SENSES. We could not say absolutely that God heareth not sinners, for
1. God does hear men who sin, or else He would hear no one: for there is no man that sinneth not (1Ki_8:46); not a saint would be heard, for even saints are sinners.
2. God does sometimes hear and answer unregenerate men.
(1) To show that He is truly God, and make them own it Psa_106:44).
(2) To manifest His great compassion, whereby He even hears the ravens cry (Psa_147:1-20).
(3) To lead them to repentance (1Ki_21:27).
(4) To leave them without excuse (Exo_10:16-17).
(5) To punish them, as when He sent quails to the murmurers Num_11:33), and gave Israel a king (1Sa_12:17), in His anger.
3. God does graciously hear sinners when they cry for mercy. Not to believe this were
(1) To render the gospel no gospel.
(2) To deny facts. David, Manasseh, the dying thief, the publican, the prodigal, confirm this testimony.
(3) To deny promises (Isa_11:7).
II. IT IS TRUE IN OTHER SENSES. The Lord does not hear sinners as He hears His own people.
1. He hears no sinners prayer apart from the mediation of our Lord Jesus 1Ti_2:5; Eph_2:18).
2. He will not hear a wicked, formal, heartless prayer (Pro_15:29).
3. He will not hear the man who wilfully continues in sin, and abides in unbelief (Jer_14:12; Isa_1:15).
4. He will not hear the hypocrites mockery of prayer (Job_27:9).
5. He will not hear the unforgiving (Mar_11:25-26).
6. He will not hear even His people when sin is wilfully indulged, and entertained in their hearts (Psa_66:18).
7. He will not hear those who refuse to hear His Word, or to regard His ordinances (Pro_28:9).
8. He will not hear those who harden their hearts against the monitions of His Spirit, the warnings of His providence, the appeals of His ministers, the strivings of conscience, and so forth.
9. He will not hear those who refuse to be saved by grace, or who trust in their own prayers as the cause of salvation.
10. He will not hear sinners who die impenitent. At the last He will close His ear to them, as to the foolish virgins, who cried, Lord, Lord, open to Mat_25:11).
Conclusion: One or two things are very clear and sure.
1. He cannot hear those who never speak to Him.
2. He has never yet given any one of us a fiat refusal.
3. He permits us at this moment to pray, and it will be well for us to do so, and see if He does not hear us. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
The return of prayers
It is difficult to determine which is the greater wonder, that prayer should produce such vast and blessed effects, or that we should be unwilling to use such an instrument for procuring them. The first declares Gods goodness, the second our folly and weakness. That God heareth not sinners was a proverbial saying and supported by Scripture (Job_27:9; Psa_66:18; Pro_1:28; IsaJe 14:10, 12). The proposition may be considered
1. According to the purpose of the blind man: God heareth not sinners in that they are sinners, though a sinner may be heard in his prayer to confirm his faith. God hears him not at all in that wherein he sins; for God is truth and cannot confirm a lie.
2. In a manner that concerns us more nearly; i.e., if we be not good men, our prayers will do us no good. God turns away from the unwholesome breathings of corruption.
I. WHOSOEVER PRAYS WHILE HE IS IN A STATE OF SIN, HIS PRAYER IS AN ABOMINATION TO GOD. This truth was believed by the ancient world; hence the appointment of baptisms and ceremonial expiations.
1. It is an act of profanation for an unholy person to handle holy things and offices.
2. A wicked person, while he remains in that condition, is not a natural object of pity.
3. Purity is recommended by the necessary appendages of prayer
(1) fasting,
(2) almsgiving,
(3) and by the various indecencies which are prohibited, not only for their general malignity but because they hinder prayer, such as unmercifulness, which unfits us to receive pardon for our own trespasses; lust and uncleanliness which defile the temple and take from us all affection to spiritual things.
4. After these evidences of Scripture and reason there is less necessity to take notice of those objections derived from the prosperity of evil persons. If such ask things hurtful and sinful if God hears them not it is in mercy; but there are many instances of success in improper prayers which have turned out to the disadvantage of the petitioners.
II. MANY TIMES GOOD MEN PRAY, AND NOT SINFULLY, BUT IT RETURNS EMPTY. Because although the man may be, yet the prayer is not in proper disposition. Prayers are hindered
1. By anger, or a storm in the spirit of him who prays. Prayer is an action or state of intercourse exactly contrary to the character of anger, its spirit being gentle and meek, and its influences calm and soothing.
2. By indifference and easiness of desire. He that is cold and tame in his prayers has not tasted the delight of religion and the goodness of God; he is a stranger to the secrets of His kingdom. What examples we have of fervency in Scripture, more particularly in the case of Christ and St. Paul! Under this head may be placed cautions against
(1) Want of attention, which is an effect of lukewarmness and infirmity, which is only remedied as our prayers are made zealous and our infirmities are strengthened by the Spirit.
(2) Want of perseverance. When our prayer is for a great matter and a great necessity, how often do we pursue it only by chance or humour; or else our choice is cool as soon as it is hot, and our prayer without fruit because the desire does not last. If we would secure the blessing we must pray on until it comes.
3. By the want of their being put up in good company. For sometimes an obnoxious person has so secured a mischief that those who stay with him share his punishment as the sailors did Jonahs. But when good men pray with one heart, and in a holy assembly, when they are holy in their desires and lawful in their authority, then their prayers ascend like the hymns of angels.
III. WHAT DEGREES AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF PIETY ARE REQUIRED TO MAKE US FIT TO BE INTERCESSORS FOR OTHERS AND TO PRAY FOR THEM WITH PROBABLE EFFECT. No prayers, of course, can prevail with regard to an indisposed person; as the sun cannot enlighten a blind eye.
1. Those who pray for others should be persons of extraordinary piety. This is exemplified in the case of Job (Job_42:7-8) and Phinehas. It was also a vast blessing entailed on the posterity of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; because they had great religion they had great power with God. A man of little piety cannot water another mans garden and bless it with a gracious shower; he must look to himself. But what an encouragement this is to a holy life; what an advantage it may be to our relatives, country, etc. How useless and vile the man whose prayers avail not for the meanest person! And yet everyone in a state of grace may intercede for others, a duty prescribed throughout Scripture.
2. We must take care that as our piety, so also our offices be extraordinary. He that prays to reverse a sentence of God, etc., must not expect great effects from a morning or evening collect, or from an honest wish. But in our importunity we must not make our account by a multitude of words, but by measures of the spirit, holiness of soul, justness of the desire, and the usefulness of the request to Gods glory. We must not be ashamed or backward in asking, but our modesty to God in prayer has no measures but these--self-distrust, confidence in God, humility, reverence and submission to Gods will. These being observed our importunity should be as great as possible, and it will be likely to prevail.
3. It is another great advantage that he who prays be a person of superior dignity or employment. For God has appointed some person by their callings to pray for others, as fathers for their children, ministers for their flocks, kings for their subjects. And it is well this is so, since so few understand their duties to themselves and others. But if God heareth not princes, of what necessity is it that such should be holy.
IV. THE SIGNS OF OUR PRAYERS BEING HEARD. This requires little observation; for if our prayers be according to the warrant of Gods Word, and if we ask according to Gods will what is right and profitable, we may rely on the promises, and be sure that our prayers are heard. (Jeremy Taylor.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
B. W. Johnson 1891 · Public Domain On v30 30–33. Herein is a marvellous thing. It was also…
30–33. Herein is a marvellous thing. It was also a “marvellous thing” that one who was a blind beggar a few hours before should now expound theology to the very men that “sat in Moses' seat” and show a better knowledge of the spirit of the Scriptures than the great ecclesiastics. Without the power of God no man could open the eyes of one born blind.
B. W. Johnson's The People's New Testament with Notes (1889–1891) — public domain. Electronic text from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) ThML edition.
C. I. Scofield 1917 · Public Domain On v31 Sin. (See Scofield "Rom 3:23").
sinner
Sin. (See Scofield "Rom 3:23").
The Scofield Reference Bible (1917 edition), notes by C. I. Scofield — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Paul E. Kretzmann 1924 · Public Domain On v30 The proper conclusion of the former blind man:
The proper conclusion of the former blind man:
v. 30. The man answered and said unto them, Why, herein is a marvelous thing, that ye know not from whence He is, and yet He hath opened mine eyes.
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v. 31. Now we know that God heareth not sinners; but if any man be a worshiper of God, and doeth His will, him He heareth.
v. 32. Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind.
v. 33. If this Man were not of God, He could do nothing.
Far from making the man dubious and timid in his statements, the method chosen by the Pharisees rather made him firmer in his position toward the Man who had given him the great blessing of sight. The astonishment of the man was well founded. The leaders of the Jews should have known such a wonderful Healer. To hesitate about the origin of one that performed such wonderful cures and manifested such divine power was foolish in his opinion, and he did not hesitate about telling the Jewish leaders that very fact. Certain it was that a sinner could not perform such deeds; God could not be induced to give such power to a person that deliberately transgressed His will. But now the deed was an evidence of the power of God in the Healer. Therefore this man Jesus could not be a sinner, but must be from God. That a miracle of such magnitude should be performed in the world was unheard of. If Jesus, therefore, could perform such miracles, He must be from God. That was the right conclusion, one which completely vanquished the rulers of the Jews. This unlearned man could argue with much more exactness and power than they themselves, because he had the truth on his side. In the same way the simplest Christian, by adhering strictly to the truth of Scriptures, is able to confound the keenest and cleverest unbelievers that make the attempt to take away his faith in his Savior.
Paul E. Kretzmann, Popular Commentary of the Bible (1921–1924) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv30, 32 that you do not know where he is from
that you do not know where he is from
The man is surprised that the Jewish leaders question Jesus' authority when they know he has the power to heal. AT: "that you do not know where he gets his authority" (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
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does not listen to sinners ... listens to him
"does not answer the prayers of sinners ... God answers his prayers"
translationWords
sin
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv30, 32 9:30 The Jewish leaders did not know where Jesus…
9:30 The Jewish leaders did not know where Jesus came from. The man’s astonishment was understandable—a healing like this was unprecedented. Jesus’ works confirmed his origin as from God. Once his true identity was known, belief and discipleship should have followed, but the Jewish leaders were willfully blind.
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.