The man replied by asking Jesus to point the Son of Man out to him. He seemed ready to believe in Him and evidently thought that Jesus would identify his healer. "Lord" (Gr. kyrie) means "Sir" in this context. Again someone spoke better than he knew since the man"s questioner was Lord in a larger sense than he first realized (cf. John 9:38). [source][source][source]
Context Summary
John 9:35-41 - "a Stone Of Stumbling"
In John 9:35 we hear of Jesus finding the outcast, whom the Pharisees had excommunicated; and this story is appropriately followed by a picture of the true Shepherd as contrasted with the false. At night sundry flocks are brought to the Eastern sheepfold and committed to the care of the keeper or porter. In the morning the shepherds knock at the barred door of the enclosure, and the porter opens from within. Each separates his own sheep by calling their names, and when thus summoned the flock follows its shepherd, wherever he may lead.
The sheepfold in this parable holds the Jewish people. The stranger is the religious Teacher who fails to speak in the familiar phrase of Moses and the prophets. The Pharisees and scribes are the thieves and robbers who have stolen God's glory and made profit of his flock. Note that whenever you are put forth, you will find Christ going before.
God has sent many true shepherds from out His presence chamber, to care not only for individuals or churches but for nations. [source]
Chapter Summary: John 9
1The man born blind is restored to sight 8He is brought to the Pharisees 13They are offended at it; 35but he is received of Jesus, and confesses him 39Who they are whom Jesus enlightens
Greek Commentary for John 9:36
And who is he, Lord, that I may believe on him? [Και τις εστιν κυριε] The initial κυριε kai (and) is common (Mark 10:26; Luke 10:29; Luke 18:26). Probably by ινα πιστευσω εις αυτον kurie he means only “Sir.” It usually comes at the beginning of the sentence, not at the end as here and John 9:38. That I may believe on him (hina pisteusō eis auton). Ellipsis to be supplied before this final clause. He catches up the words of Jesus in the preceding verse, though he does not yet know who the Son of Man (or Son of God) is, but he trusts Jesus. [source]
Who is He? [] The best texts insert καὶ , and; and who is he? which imparts an air of eagerness to the question. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for John 9:36
Matthew 1:22That it may be fulfilled [ινα πληρωτηι] Alford says that “it is impossible to interpret ινα hina in any other sense than in order that.” That was the old notion, but modern grammarians recognize the non-final use of this particle in the Koiné and even the consecutive like the Latin ut. Some even argue for a causal use. If the context called for result, one need not hesitate to say so as in Mark 11:28; John 9:36; 1 John 1:9; Revelation 9:20; Revelation 13:13. See discussion in my Grammar of the Greek New Testament in the Light of Historical Research, pp. 997-9. All the same it is purpose here, God‘s purpose, Matthew reports the angel as saying, spoken “by (υπο hupo immediate agent) the Lord through (δια dia intermediate agent) the prophet.” [source]
John 13:13Ye [υμεις] Emphatic. Call me “Address me.” Πωνεω Phōneō regular for addressing one with his title (John 1:48). Master Nominative form (not in apposition with με me accusative after πωνειτε phōneite), but really vocative in address with the article (called titular nominative sometimes) like ο Κυριος και ο τεος μου Ho Kurios kai ho theos mou in John 20:28. “Teacher.” See John 11:28 for Martha‘s title for Jesus to Mary. Lord Another and separate title. In John 1:38 we have Διδασκαλε Didaskale (vocative form) for the Jewish αββει Rabbei and in John 9:36,John 9:38 Κυριε Kurie for the Jewish καλως Mari It is significant that Jesus approves Jesus distinctly claims here to be both Teacher and Lord in the full sense, at the very moment when he has rendered this menial, but symbolic, service to them. Here is a hint for those who talk lightly about “the peril of worshipping Jesus!” [source]
John 9:9Nay but he is like him [Ουχι αλλα ομοιος αυτωι εστιν] Vigorous denial (αυτοι ouchi) and mere similarity suggested. Associative instrumental case ομοιος autoi after εκεινος ελεγεν homoios The crowd is divided. He said (ekeinos elegen). Emphatic demonstrative (as in John 9:11,John 9:12,John 9:25,John 9:36), “That one spake up.” He knew. [source]
John 9:11The man that is called Jesus [ο αντρωπος ο λεγομενος Ιησους] He does not yet know Jesus as the Messiah the Son of God (John 9:36). I received sight First aorist active indicative of αναβλεπω anablepō old verb to see again, to recover sight, not strictly true of this man who had never seen. He got back sight that he had never had. Originally the verb means to look up (Matthew 14:19). [source]
John 9:25One thing I know [εν οιδα] This man is keen and quick and refuses to fall into the trap set for him. He passes by their quibbling about Jesus being a “sinner” Literally, “Being blind I now see.” The present active participle ων ōn of ειμι eimi by implication in contrast with αρτι arti (just now, at this moment) points to previous and so past time. It must be borne in mind that the man did not at this stage know who Jesus was and so had not yet taken him as Saviour (John 9:36-38). [source]
John 9:28They reviled him [ελοιδορησαν αυτον] First aorist active indicative of λοιδορεω loidoreō old verb from λοιδορος loidoros (reviler, 1 Corinthians 5:11), in N.T. only here, Acts 23:4; 1 Corinthians 4:12; 1 Peter 2:23. Thou art his disciple Probably a fling in εκεινου ekeinou (of that fellow). He had called him a prophet (John 9:17) and became a joyful follower later (John 9:36-38). But we are disciples of Moses This they said with proud scorn of the healed beggar. All orthodox rabbis so claimed. [source]
John 9:38Lord, I believe [Πιστευω κυριε] και προσεκυνησεν αυτωι Kurie here = Lord (reverence, no longer respect as in John 9:36). A short creed, but to the point. And he worshipped him (προσκυνεω kai prosekunēsen autōi). Ingressive first aorist active indicative of proskuneō old verb to fall down in reverence, to worship. Sometimes of men (Matthew 18:26). In John (see John 4:20) this verb “is always used to express divine worship” (Bernard). It is tragic to hear men today deny that Jesus should be worshipped. He accepted worship from this new convert as he later did from Thomas who called him “God” (John 20:28). Peter (Acts 10:25.) refused worship from Cornelius as Paul and Barnabas did at Lystra (Acts 14:18), but Jesus made no protest here. [source]
Acts 9:5Lord [κυριε] It is open to question if κυριε kurie should not here be translated “Sir” as in Acts 16:30 and in Matthew 21:29,Matthew 21:30; John 5:7; John 12:21; John 20:15; and should be so in John 9:36. It is hardly likely that at this stage Saul recognized Jesus as Lord, though he does so greet him in Acts 22:10 “What shall I do, Lord?” Saul may have recognized the vision as from God as Cornelius says “Lord” in Acts 10:4. Saul surrendered instantly as Thomas did (John 20:28) and as little Samuel (1 Samuel 3:9). This surrender of the will to Christ was the conversion of Saul. He saw a real Person, the Risen Christ, to whom he surrendered his life. On this point he never wavered for a moment to the end. [source]
2 Corinthians 2:2Who then? [και τισ] For this use of και kai see note on Mark 10:26; John 9:36. The και kai accepts the condition (first class ειλυπω ei̇̇lupō) and shows the paradox that follows. Λυπεω Lupeō is old word from λυπη lupē (sorrow) in causative sense, to make sorry. [source]
What do the individual words in John 9:36 mean?
Answeredheandsaidwhois HeLordthatI may believeinHim
Parse: Verb, Aorist Subjunctive Active, 1st Person Singular
Root: πιστεύω
Sense: to think to be true, to be persuaded of, to credit, place confidence in.
Greek Commentary for John 9:36
The initial κυριε kai (and) is common (Mark 10:26; Luke 10:29; Luke 18:26). Probably by ινα πιστευσω εις αυτον kurie he means only “Sir.” It usually comes at the beginning of the sentence, not at the end as here and John 9:38. That I may believe on him (hina pisteusō eis auton). Ellipsis to be supplied before this final clause. He catches up the words of Jesus in the preceding verse, though he does not yet know who the Son of Man (or Son of God) is, but he trusts Jesus. [source]
The best texts insert καὶ , and; and who is he? which imparts an air of eagerness to the question. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for John 9:36
Alford says that “it is impossible to interpret ινα hina in any other sense than in order that.” That was the old notion, but modern grammarians recognize the non-final use of this particle in the Koiné and even the consecutive like the Latin ut. Some even argue for a causal use. If the context called for result, one need not hesitate to say so as in Mark 11:28; John 9:36; 1 John 1:9; Revelation 9:20; Revelation 13:13. See discussion in my Grammar of the Greek New Testament in the Light of Historical Research, pp. 997-9. All the same it is purpose here, God‘s purpose, Matthew reports the angel as saying, spoken “by (υπο hupo immediate agent) the Lord through (δια dia intermediate agent) the prophet.” [source]
Emphatic. Call me “Address me.” Πωνεω Phōneō regular for addressing one with his title (John 1:48). Master Nominative form (not in apposition with με me accusative after πωνειτε phōneite), but really vocative in address with the article (called titular nominative sometimes) like ο Κυριος και ο τεος μου Ho Kurios kai ho theos mou in John 20:28. “Teacher.” See John 11:28 for Martha‘s title for Jesus to Mary. Lord Another and separate title. In John 1:38 we have Διδασκαλε Didaskale (vocative form) for the Jewish αββει Rabbei and in John 9:36, John 9:38 Κυριε Kurie for the Jewish καλως Mari It is significant that Jesus approves Jesus distinctly claims here to be both Teacher and Lord in the full sense, at the very moment when he has rendered this menial, but symbolic, service to them. Here is a hint for those who talk lightly about “the peril of worshipping Jesus!” [source]
Vigorous denial (αυτοι ouchi) and mere similarity suggested. Associative instrumental case ομοιος autoi after εκεινος ελεγεν homoios The crowd is divided. He said (ekeinos elegen). Emphatic demonstrative (as in John 9:11, John 9:12, John 9:25, John 9:36), “That one spake up.” He knew. [source]
He does not yet know Jesus as the Messiah the Son of God (John 9:36). I received sight First aorist active indicative of αναβλεπω anablepō old verb to see again, to recover sight, not strictly true of this man who had never seen. He got back sight that he had never had. Originally the verb means to look up (Matthew 14:19). [source]
This man is keen and quick and refuses to fall into the trap set for him. He passes by their quibbling about Jesus being a “sinner” Literally, “Being blind I now see.” The present active participle ων ōn of ειμι eimi by implication in contrast with αρτι arti (just now, at this moment) points to previous and so past time. It must be borne in mind that the man did not at this stage know who Jesus was and so had not yet taken him as Saviour (John 9:36-38). [source]
First aorist active indicative of λοιδορεω loidoreō old verb from λοιδορος loidoros (reviler, 1 Corinthians 5:11), in N.T. only here, Acts 23:4; 1 Corinthians 4:12; 1 Peter 2:23. Thou art his disciple Probably a fling in εκεινου ekeinou (of that fellow). He had called him a prophet (John 9:17) and became a joyful follower later (John 9:36-38). But we are disciples of Moses This they said with proud scorn of the healed beggar. All orthodox rabbis so claimed. [source]
και προσεκυνησεν αυτωι Kurie here = Lord (reverence, no longer respect as in John 9:36). A short creed, but to the point. And he worshipped him (προσκυνεω kai prosekunēsen autōi). Ingressive first aorist active indicative of proskuneō old verb to fall down in reverence, to worship. Sometimes of men (Matthew 18:26). In John (see John 4:20) this verb “is always used to express divine worship” (Bernard). It is tragic to hear men today deny that Jesus should be worshipped. He accepted worship from this new convert as he later did from Thomas who called him “God” (John 20:28). Peter (Acts 10:25.) refused worship from Cornelius as Paul and Barnabas did at Lystra (Acts 14:18), but Jesus made no protest here. [source]
It is open to question if κυριε kurie should not here be translated “Sir” as in Acts 16:30 and in Matthew 21:29, Matthew 21:30; John 5:7; John 12:21; John 20:15; and should be so in John 9:36. It is hardly likely that at this stage Saul recognized Jesus as Lord, though he does so greet him in Acts 22:10 “What shall I do, Lord?” Saul may have recognized the vision as from God as Cornelius says “Lord” in Acts 10:4. Saul surrendered instantly as Thomas did (John 20:28) and as little Samuel (1 Samuel 3:9). This surrender of the will to Christ was the conversion of Saul. He saw a real Person, the Risen Christ, to whom he surrendered his life. On this point he never wavered for a moment to the end. [source]
For this use of και kai see note on Mark 10:26; John 9:36. The και kai accepts the condition (first class ειλυπω ei̇̇lupō) and shows the paradox that follows. Λυπεω Lupeō is old word from λυπη lupē (sorrow) in causative sense, to make sorry. [source]