Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them.

JOHN 9:16KJV
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John 9:16 (KJV)

What does John 9:16 mean?

John 9:16 describes how the Pharisees were divided in their opinions about Jesus after he healed a man on the Sabbath. Some Pharisees argued that Jesus could not be from God because he did not keep the Sabbath, while others questioned how a sinner could perform such miraculous signs.

In this scene, the Pharisees are debating among themselves after Jesus healed a man who had been blind from birth. The controversy centers on Jesus performing a miracle on the Sabbath, which some Pharisees saw as breaking the law. Others, however, are struck by the undeniable miracle and wonder if someone who does such things could really be a sinner. This division highlights the tension and confusion Jesus caused among the religious leaders.

The Greek behind John 9:16

  • The word for "division" is σχίσμα (schisma), which means a split or schism. This word shows that the disagreement among the Pharisees was not minor; it was a real rift in their group.
  • The word for "miracles" is σημεῖα (sēmeia), meaning "signs." In John’s Gospel, these are not just wonders but signs pointing to who Jesus is, so the debate is about more than just a display of power.
  • The word for "keepeth" is τηρέω (tēreō), meaning to observe or guard. The Pharisees accuse Jesus of not "guarding" or properly observing the Sabbath, which is central to their argument against him.

Why John 9:16 matters

  • This verse shows that even among Jesus’ critics, there was no consensus about who he was, revealing the complexity of his impact on people.
  • The division among the Pharisees sets up the ongoing conflict in John’s Gospel between Jesus and the religious authorities, showing how his actions challenge traditional interpretations of the law.
  • The focus on miracles as "signs" invites readers to consider not just the act itself, but what it reveals about Jesus’ identity and authority.

Where else these words appear

“division” Greek G4978 · used in 8 verses

  • Matthew 9:16 No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse.
  • John 7:43 So there was a division among the people because of him.
  • 1 Corinthians 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

“sinner” Greek G268 · used in 45 verses

  • Matthew 9:10 And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.
  • Luke 6:33 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.
  • John 9:31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.

“such” Greek G5108 · used in 59 verses

  • Matthew 9:8 But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.
  • Acts 26:29 And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.
  • 2 Corinthians 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

“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.