Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.

JOHN 9:31KJV
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John 9:31 (KJV)

What does John 9:31 mean?

John 9:31 states that God does not listen to sinners, but God listens to anyone who worships Him and does His will. The verse draws a line between those who are living in opposition to God and those who seek to honor and obey Him, saying God hears the prayers of the latter.

In this scene, a man who was born blind and has just been healed by Jesus is speaking to a group of religious leaders. He is responding to their skepticism about Jesus by pointing out a common belief of the time: that God responds to those who are faithful and obedient. The verse reflects the man’s reasoning that Jesus must be from God, since his prayer for healing was answered.

The Greek behind John 9:31

  • The word for "sinners" is ἁμαρτωλούς (hamartōlous), which means people who are habitually doing wrong or living in opposition to God. This highlights that the focus is on those persistently rejecting God's ways, not just anyone who makes a mistake.
  • The phrase "doeth his will" uses ποιεῖ (poiei), meaning to actively do or carry out. This stresses that God hears those who are not just worshipers in name, but who actually live out God's desires.
  • The word "heareth" is ἀκούει (akouei), which means to listen or pay attention to. In this context, it implies more than just hearing sounds—it suggests responding favorably.

Why John 9:31 matters

  • This verse clarifies a common belief in Jesus’ time: that God is attentive to those who sincerely seek Him and live according to His will, not to those who persistently reject Him.
  • The statement is part of the healed man’s argument that Jesus could not have performed such a miracle unless God was with Him, connecting Jesus’ actions to God’s approval.
  • It helps explain the logic behind the man’s defense of Jesus, showing how the people of that era understood the relationship between obedience, worship, and answered prayer.

Where else these words appear

“sinners” 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 9:25 He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.

“will” Greek G2307 · used in 60 verses

  • Matthew 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
  • Acts 21:14 And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.
  • Colossians 1:9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

“be” Greek G5600 · used in 62 verses

  • Matthew 6:4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
  • John 17:21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
  • 2 Corinthians 1:17 When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea yea, and nay nay?

“him” Greek G5127 · used in 72 verses

  • Matthew 13:15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
  • John 13:1 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.
  • Romans 11:7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded