They say unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, that he hath opened thine eyes? He said, He is a prophet.

JOHN 9:17KJV
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John 9:17 (KJV)

What does John 9:17 mean?

John 9:17 shows the people questioning the man who was born blind about his opinion of Jesus, since Jesus had healed him. The man responds by saying that Jesus is a prophet, recognizing Jesus as someone sent by God with special authority.

In this scene, the religious leaders are pressing the formerly blind man for his view on Jesus, after witnessing the miracle of his sight being restored. The man’s answer, calling Jesus a prophet, is significant because it reflects his growing understanding of who Jesus is, even though he does not yet fully grasp Jesus’ identity. This moment highlights the tension between the man’s personal experience and the skepticism of the religious authorities.

The Greek behind John 9:17

  • ὁ προφήτης (ho prophētēs, "prophet"): This word refers to someone recognized as a messenger from God, often with insight or authority. The man’s use of this term shows he sees Jesus as more than an ordinary teacher or healer.
  • ἀνέῳξέν (aneōixen, "opened"): This verb means to open, especially in the sense of opening eyes. The use here emphasizes the miraculous nature of what Jesus did, not just a physical act but something extraordinary.
  • τυφλός (typhlos, "blind man"): This term underlines the man’s former condition, which makes the miracle and his testimony even more striking.

Why John 9:17 matters

  • John 9:17 clarifies that the man who was healed is beginning to recognize Jesus’ special role, even if he does not yet fully understand him as the Messiah.
  • The verse shows the growing divide between the religious leaders’ skepticism and the personal testimony of someone changed by Jesus.
  • This moment sets up the rest of the story, where the man’s understanding of Jesus deepens, and the conflict with the authorities becomes more pronounced.

Where else these words appear

“man” Greek G5185 · used in 48 verses

  • Matthew 9:27 And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us.
  • Mark 8:23 And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought.
  • John 9:13 They brought to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind.

“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.

“again” Greek G3825 · used in 138 verses

  • Matthew 4:7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
  • John 4:13 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:
  • Acts 11:10 And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven.