John 9 Bible Study

What is meant by “And passing by” (John 9:1)?
John 8 ended with the statement that Jesus “went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by” (John 8:59). John 9 picks up where John 8 left off.

Who was the man Jesus “saw” (John 9:1) as He was passing by?
A man who “sat and begged” (John 9:8, see Pool of Siloam) near the temple.

How was it known that the beggar had been “blind from birth” (John 9:1)?
He could have been well known and it could have been common knowledge, or his deformity could have made it obvious that he had never had functioning eyes (e.g., missing eyeballs or eye sockets).

Why did Jesus' disciples ask Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents” (John 9:2)?
There was a belief in Judaism that physical infirmity was a punishment for sin.

What is disappointing about their reaction to the man's blindness?
They realize that a man has been suffering from birth and also know Jesus' power to heal, yet they think about why he became blind instead of a way to help him.

When you see homeless people, do you think about why they became homeless or what you can do to help them?
 

Who will receive glory when “the works of God” are “manifested” (John 9:3) and the blind man is healed?
God.

So, who was created to glorify God?
Not just this blind man but everyone. Our life isn't an end in itself but the means to glorifying God, for we were created “for” Jesus: “For by Him all things were created, those in the heavens and those upon the earth, those visible and those invisible, whether thrones or lordships or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him” (Colossians 1:16).

How is it fair for someone to spend years, even their entire life, being blind?
If you had to spend a few minutes of your life wearing a blindfold, would you claim that your life has been ruined because of it? A few minutes as a function of your earthly life is longer than your earthly life as a function of the rest of eternity in heaven or hell, the importance of which provides the proper perspective - “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18) - and makes anything we suffer on earth “light” in comparison to what awaits us in heaven, and makes us focus on unseen spiritual matters that have everlasting consequences: “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is producing for us a far exceedingly, exceedingly everlasting weight of glory. We look not at the things that are seen, but at the things that are not seen; for the things that are seen are temporary, but the things that are not seen are everlasting” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).

What kind of eyes did God give to Christians who are blind all their life?
Virgin eyes. Instead of a fallen world contaminated by sin, the first thing their eyes will ever see is the holy, radiant face of Jesus in heaven.