They ask concerning him. (18–23)
They cast him out. (24–34)
Christ's words to the man that had been (35–38)
blind.
He reproves the Pharisees. (39–41)Verses 1–7
Christ cured many who were blind by disease or accident; here he cured one born blind. Thus
he showed his power to help in the most desperate cases, and the work of his grace upon the souls
of sinners, which gives sight to those blind by nature. This poor man could not see Christ, but Christ
saw him. And if we know or apprehend anything of Christ, it is because we were first known of
him. Christ says of uncommon calamities, that they are not always to be looked on as special
punishments of sin; sometimes they are for the glory of God, and to manifest his works. Our life
is our day, in which it concerns us to do the work of the day. We must be busy, and not waste
day-time; it will be time to rest when our day is done, for it is but a day. The approach of death
should quicken us to improve all our opportunities of doing and getting good. What good we have
an opportunity to do, we should do quickly. And he that will never do a good work till there is
nothing to be objected against, will leave many a good work for ever undone, Ec 11:4. Christ
magnified his power, in making a blind man to see, doing that which one would think more likely
to make a seeing man blind. Human reason cannot judge of the Lord's methods; he uses means and
instruments that men despise. Those that would be healed by Christ must be ruled by him. He came
back from the pool wondering and wondered at; he came seeing. This represents the benefits in
attending on ordinances of Christ's appointment; souls go weak, and come away strengthened; go
doubting, and come away satisfied; go mourning, and come away rejoicing; go blind, and come
away seeing.
Verses 8–12
Those whose eyes are opened, and whose hearts are cleansed by grace, being known to be the
same person, but widely different in character, live as monuments to the Redeemer's glory, and
recommend his grace to all who desire the same precious salvation. It is good to observe the way
and method of God's works, and they will appear the more wonderful. Apply this spiritually. In the
work of grace wrought upon the soul we see the change, but we see not the hand that makes it: the
way of the Spirit is like that of the wind, which thou hearest the sound of, but canst not tell whence
it comes, nor whither it goes.
Verses 13–17
Christ not only worked miracles on the sabbath, but in such a manner as would give offence to
the Jews, for he would not seem to yield to the scribes and Pharisees. Their zeal for mere rites
consumed the substantial matters of religion; therefore Christ would not give place to them. Also,
works of necessity and mercy are allowed, and the sabbath rest is to be kept, in order to the sabbath