But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight.

JOHN 9:18KJV
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John 9:18 (KJV)

What does John 9:18 mean?

John 9:18 describes how the Jewish leaders refused to believe that the man Jesus healed had actually been blind and now could see, so they summoned his parents to confirm his story. The verse highlights their skepticism and unwillingness to accept the miracle without further proof.

In this scene, the focus is on the religious authorities questioning the reality of the healing. The man who was healed had been blind from birth, but the leaders doubted the truth of his condition and the change in his life. Their decision to call his parents shows both their suspicion and their determination to investigate the situation further, rather than simply accepting the testimony of the man himself.

The Greek behind John 9:18

  • οὐ (ou, G3756): This word means "not" and is used here to show the strong disbelief of the Jewish leaders. Their refusal is not just doubt but a firm denial.
  • ἐπίστευσαν (episteusan, G4100): This verb means "they believed" or "they had faith." In this context, it is used negatively with οὐ, emphasizing their lack of trust in the man's testimony about his healing.
  • τυφλὸς (tuphlos, G5185): This word means "blind." The Greek here points to a physical condition, underlining that the miracle was about real, physical blindness, not just a metaphorical one.
  • ἕως (heōs, G2193): This word means "until." It marks the point at which the leaders were willing to reconsider—only after hearing from the man's parents.

Why John 9:18 matters

  • John 9:18 clears up any idea that the miracle was accepted easily or without question; it shows the real resistance and doubt from the religious leaders.
  • The verse emphasizes the lengths to which the authorities went to investigate and possibly discredit the miracle, highlighting the tension between Jesus and the religious establishment.
  • This moment sets up the next part of the story, where the parents are brought in, adding another layer to the unfolding investigation and showing the social pressures faced by anyone connected to Jesus.

Where else these words appear

“until” Greek G3755 · used in 6 verses

  • Matthew 5:25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
  • Luke 13:8 And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:
  • Luke 22:16 For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.

“parents” Greek G1118 · used in 18 verses

  • Matthew 10:21 And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.
  • Luke 18:29 And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake,
  • John 9:23 Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him.

“sight” Greek G308 · used in 24 verses

  • Matthew 11:5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
  • Mark 10:51 And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.
  • Luke 19:5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.

“called” Greek G5455 · used in 38 verses

  • Matthew 20:32 And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you?
  • Luke 8:8 And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
  • John 4:16 Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither.