Question 1

What does John 9:40 mean?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 2

Why John 9:40 matters

Accepted Answer

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.

John 9:40 (KJV)