And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also?

JOHN 9:40KJV
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John 9:40 (KJV)

What does John 9:40 mean?

John 9:40 shows that some Pharisees who were near Jesus heard what he said and asked him, “Are we blind also?” They were responding to Jesus’ earlier words about spiritual blindness, questioning if he was including them among those who could not truly see.

In this scene, the Pharisees—religious leaders—are reacting to Jesus’ teaching after he healed a man born blind. Jesus had just spoken about those who claim to see but are actually blind in a spiritual sense. The Pharisees, realizing that Jesus might be talking about them, challenge him directly, revealing both their defensiveness and their lack of understanding about spiritual sight versus physical sight.

Why John 9:40 matters

  • This verse highlights the tension between Jesus and the Pharisees, showing how his words often exposed their spiritual condition without directly naming them.
  • The Pharisees’ question, “Are we blind also?” reveals that they sensed Jesus was challenging their spiritual authority and understanding, even if they did not fully grasp his meaning.
  • John 9:40 connects to the broader theme of John 9, where physical blindness becomes a picture of spiritual blindness, helping readers see that recognizing one’s own need is the first step toward true sight.

Where else these words appear

“blind” 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.

“Are” Greek G2070 · used in 51 verses

  • Mark 5:9 And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.
  • Romans 8:12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
  • Galatians 4:31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.

“Pharisees” Greek G5330 · used in 95 verses

  • Matthew 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
  • Mark 2:18 And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not?
  • Luke 15:2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.

“we” Greek G2249 · used in 121 verses

  • Matthew 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
  • Acts 13:32 And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers,
  • 2 Corinthians 13:7 Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates.