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Q & A ONE THING I DO KNOW

John0925qa.txt
John: 9:13 - 25
Key Verse: 9:25

1.Read verses 13-15. How did the Pharisees get involved in this event? (13)

The people of the town brought the man born blind to the Pharisees. Instead of sharing in the man’s joy, his new life, they turned him in. The town’s people strangely thought that they were doing a good thing by reporting this man to the religious authorities.

What problem arose because this man had been healed? (14)

The day when Jesus had healed him had been a Sabbath. The religious leaders held the Sabbath as the highest law and they accused Jesus of being a Sabbath breaker. The problem was not the healing, it was the fact that it was done on the Sabbath.

What did the Pharisees ask the man who had been blind?

Verse 15, “Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight.” The Pharisees wanted to know what had happened especially since Jesus was involved. They were not asking the question for fact finding but doing so with an impure motive, based on verse 22. They were hoping the blind man would pick up on their political agenda and discredit Jesus.

What was his answer?

This man answered in verse 15b, “He put mud on my eyes,” the man replied, “and I washed, and now I see.” The man just told the simple truth. He had no agenda, just a heart that was touched by Jesus’ grace. The man answered clearly and was not afraid of the intimidation.

2.Read verses 16-17. Why were they divided in their opinion about Jesus?

They were divided because they had a preconceived idea that Jesus was a sinner. But the religious leaders could not deny Jesus clear miracle. This tells us also that the man’s testimony was effective since is divided the Pharisees.

What was the second question they asked him?

They asked the man born blind what he thought about who Jesus was, because the Pharisees could not determine who he was.
How was it different from the first?

At first they asked how the blind man received his sight. The second questions was, “Who do you say Jesus is?” They wanted to see what the man said about Jesus. The Pharisees began to focus on who Jesus is. First they asked how were you healed? This question was who do you say Jesus is?

What was the man’s answer?

“He is a prophet!” The man spoke clearly about who Jesus was.

What did this mean?

It meant that this man recognized Jesus as a great man. “He is a prophet!” means he is without sin and did the acts of God compared to the Pharisees ideas in verse 16.

Why were the Pharisees not happy about this man’s recovery?

Because of what this public sign meant they would have to acknowledge who Jesus was. Instead of praising God for this miracle, John the author here shows their dedication to kill Jesus.

What does this tell us about them?

They were not interested in the truth or seeking God, but only interested in power and position. They were guided by the evil spirit, not by the Holy Spirit.

3.Read verses 18-23. What three questions did they ask the parents?

“Is this your son?” “Is this the one you say was born blind?” “How is it that now he can see?”

How did the parents answer each question?

They demurred. They were defensive to protect themselves. They had fear of being thrown out, or excommunicated from the Synagogue. They did not want to get involved in even their own sons case so they were vague as possible.

What excuse did they give for not answering the third question?

They escaped on a technicality. They said, “He is of age, ask him.” They pushed the focus on their son to save themselves.

How and why did they parent shift responsibility to their son?

Because of verse 22, they were afraid for their livelihood. They had no heart. When we are afraid and do not have the word of God in our heart, we can betray even our own son.

Read verses 24-25. What did the Pharisees want the man to say about Jesus?

They were pressuring the man born blind with repeated questions and even bringing pressure through his parents so that he would testify that he was a sinner. They even invoked an oath to make him swear that Jesus was a sinner.

Why? (See Joshua 7:19)

Johsua 7:19
19 Then Joshua said to Achan, "My son, give glory to the LORD, [a] the God of Israel, and give him the praise. [b] Tell me what you have done; do not hide it from me."

The religious leaders issued a threat that something bad would happen to the blind man if he didn't swear that Jesus was a sinner. “Give glory to God,” is a solemn oath before God. They wanted man to lie and condemn Jesus and were willing to use the word of God to achieve this.

What was his testimony?

The man ignored the technical part and just stuck to the truth. He was not trapped by the sticky questions.

What might it cost him to make this testimony?

It would cost him his place in the community. He would be excommunicated and banished from Jewish society.

What can we learn from him?

When we have a clear testimony, when we resolve to know the saving Grace of Jesus, we can hold on under pressure and not forsake Jesus. Also we grow stronger in identity when we hold onto Jesus grace under pressure.

*What is your “one thing I do know”?
The man's testimony was beautiful. He did not create his ideas about Jesus, he simply testified, “I was blind, and now I see!”

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