John 9:28 (KJV)

What does John 9:28 mean?

John 9:28 describes how the religious leaders insulted the man who had been healed of blindness, accusing him of being a follower of Jesus, while insisting that they themselves were followers of Moses. This verse shows a sharp division between loyalty to Jesus and loyalty to the traditional religious authority represented by Moses.

In this scene, the Pharisees are speaking to the man who was born blind after he challenges their views about Jesus. Their words are meant to shame him, as they see following Jesus as a betrayal of their identity as Moses’ disciples. The verse highlights the growing conflict between Jesus and the religious establishment, as well as the pressure faced by those who believed in Jesus.

The Greek behind John 9:28

• The word "reviled" (λοιδορέω, loidoreō) means to insult or heap abuse on someone. The Greek here carries a strong sense of verbal attack, showing that the Pharisees were not just disagreeing but actively trying to shame and discredit the man.
• The term "disciple" (μαθητής, mathētēs) refers to a student or follower. By calling the healed man "his disciple," the Pharisees are accusing him of siding with Jesus instead of with their own tradition.
• The phrase "we are Moses' disciples" uses the same word for disciple, emphasizing their claim to authority and tradition. They see themselves as the true heirs of Moses, in contrast to those who follow Jesus.

Why John 9:28 matters

• This verse clarifies that the religious leaders saw following Jesus as incompatible with being faithful to Moses, revealing the depth of their opposition to Jesus.
• John 9:28 helps explain the social risks faced by early followers of Jesus, who could be insulted or excluded by the religious majority.
• The verse sets up the larger theme in John’s Gospel of conflict between old religious structures and the new way Jesus brings, a tension that runs throughout the chapter.