What does John 9:34 mean?
"They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out." - John 9:34

John 9:34 in the King James Version of the Bible reads, "They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out." This verse comes from the story of Jesus healing a man who was blind from birth. After this miraculous healing, the religious leaders of the time question the man and his parents, trying to discredit Jesus and his miraculous works.
The context of this Bible verse is important for understanding its significance. In the preceding verses, Jesus had just healed the man who was blind from birth by making a paste with spittle and clay and applying it to the man's eyes. The man then washed and was able to see for the first time in his life. This caused a great stir among the people, as the man was a familiar figure to them, and they were amazed at his sudden ability to see.
The religious authorities, however, were skeptical and questioned the man about his healing, seeking to find fault with Jesus. They were unable to accept the miracle as a sign of Jesus' divinity and instead tried to undermine the man's testimony. They even brought in the man's parents to verify that he had indeed been blind from birth, and they acknowledged their son's blindness but refused to credit Jesus with the healing for fear of being cast out of the synagogue.
In this verse, the religious leaders mock the man who was healed, insinuating that he was "altogether born in sins" and therefore had no right to teach them anything. This was a common belief at the time - that suffering or physical ailments were the result of sin, either by the individual or their parents. This belief can be traced back to passages such as Exodus 20:5 and Deuteronomy 5:9, which speaks of sins being visited upon the children unto the third and fourth generations. It is also a clear reflection of the religious leaders' arrogance and condescension towards the man in thinking that his miraculous healing did not give him the authority to speak or teach.
The casting out of the man by the religious leaders in this verse holds significant symbolic meaning. Being cast out of the synagogue was a severe form of excommunication, where the person would be cut off from the community and even their own family. This action by the religious leaders not only demonstrates their rejection of the man, but also foreshadows Jesus' own rejection and crucifixion. It serves as a foreshadowing of the growing conflict between Jesus and the religious authorities, as well as the rejection of Jesus by his own people.
This verse also highlights the theme of spiritual blindness, as the religious leaders, who were supposedly the custodians of spiritual truth, were unable to recognize Jesus as the Son of God despite witnessing the miraculous healing of the blind man. Their hearts were hardened, and they were unable to see the truth right in front of them. This theme of spiritual blindness is further emphasized by the irony of the healed man being able to see physically, while the religious leaders remained spiritually blind.
Overall, John 9:34 is a powerful verse that reveals the stubbornness and pride of the religious leaders, as well as their rejection of Jesus as the Messiah. It serves as a warning against spiritual blindness and the dangers of pride and self-righteousness. The verse also sets the stage for the escalating conflict between Jesus and the religious authorities, which ultimately leads to his crucifixion. It's a timeless reminder to remain humble and open-hearted to the truth, and to always be receptive to the work of God in our lives.
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John 9:34 - "They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out."
"They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out." - John 9:34
John 1:34 - "And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God."
John 6:34 - "Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread."
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John 13:34 Love Hope Strength Bless
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John 10:34 - "Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?"
John 19:34 - "But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water."
John 5:34 - "But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved."
John 4:34 - "Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work."
Ezekiel 34:9 - "Therefore, O ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD;"
John 18:34 - "Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?"
John 11:34 - "And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see."
John 7:34 - "Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come."
"And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God." - John 1:34
John 3:34 - "For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him."
John 8:34 - "Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin."
Matthew 9:34 - "But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils."
Psalms 34:9 - "O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him."
Mark 9:34 - "But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest."
1 Chronicles 9:34 - "These chief fathers of the Levites were chief throughout their generations; these dwelt at Jerusalem."
Luke 9:34 - "While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud."
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Job 34:9 - "For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God."