John 9:3

"His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”"

Key Reflection

The disciples' question reflects a common first-century belief that physical ailments were often seen as divine punishment for personal sins or those of one's ancestors. By asking if the blindness resulted from sin, they sought to understand God’s justice and sovereignty in light of this man's suffering, unaware of Jesus’ healing power and divine purpose behind the event.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Verse 3. Neither hath this man sinned, &c. That is, his blindness is not the effect of his sin, or that of his parents. Jesus did not, evidently, mean to affirm that he or his parents were without any sin, but that this blindness was not the effect of sin. This answer is to be interpreted by the nature of the question submitted to him. The sense is, "his blindness is not to be traced to any fault of his or of his parents." But that the works of God. This thing has happened that it might appear how great and wonderful are the works of God.

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