And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes.

JOHN 9:14KJV
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John 9:14 (KJV)

What does John 9:14 mean?

John 9:14 points out that Jesus healed a man’s blindness by making clay and opening his eyes on the Sabbath day. This detail sets the stage for the controversy that follows, since doing such work on the Sabbath was considered by many Jewish leaders to be a violation of their religious rules.

The verse is part of the story where Jesus heals a man who was blind from birth. The Gospel writer, John, highlights that this miracle happened on the Sabbath, a day set apart for rest in Jewish tradition. By mentioning the Sabbath, John prepares the reader for the conflict between Jesus and the Pharisees about what is lawful to do on that day.

The Greek behind John 9:14

  • ἦν (ēn, "was"): This word sets the scene, indicating the ongoing state or timing of the events, emphasizing that the healing took place during the Sabbath.
  • σάββατον (sabbaton, "Sabbath day"): The Greek word refers specifically to the Jewish day of rest, which was strictly observed. Its mention highlights why the act of healing would be controversial.
  • πηλὸν (pēlon, "clay"): This word describes the material Jesus made and used to heal the man. Making clay could be considered "work" under Sabbath rules, which is why it becomes a point of contention.
  • ἀνέῳξεν (aneōixen, "opened"): This verb means to open, in this case, the man’s eyes. The focus on Jesus actively opening the eyes underscores the miraculous nature of the event.

Why John 9:14 matters

  • John 9:14 explains why the healing caused such a stir among the religious leaders, since performing any kind of work—including making clay—was often seen as breaking the Sabbath law.
  • The verse connects the miracle to the larger theme in John’s Gospel of Jesus challenging traditional interpretations of the law, especially about what is truly lawful and compassionate.
  • By specifying the Sabbath, John sets up the following debate between Jesus, the healed man, and the Pharisees, which explores deeper questions about spiritual blindness and sight.

Where else these words appear

“clay” Greek G4081 · used in 5 verses

  • John 9:6 When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay,
  • John 9:11 He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight.
  • John 9:15 Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see.

“day” Greek G4521 · used in 62 verses

  • Matthew 12:1 At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat.
  • Luke 4:16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.
  • John 5:10 The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed.

“opened” Greek G455 · used in 75 verses

  • Matthew 2:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
  • John 10:3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
  • Revelation 3:7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

“eyes” Greek G3788 · used in 86 verses

  • Matthew 5:29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
  • Luke 6:42 Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye.
  • Acts 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.