John 9:35 - Meaning and Application

In these verses, we can see the tender care our Lord Jesus showed this poor man (John 9:35). When Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and likely the whole town was talking about it, he found him. That means Jesus went looking for him so he could encourage and comfort him.

Jesus did this, first, because the man had spoken so well, so boldly, in his defense. Christ will surely stand by his witnesses and acknowledge those who own him, his truth, and his ways. Earthly rulers cannot notice everyone who speaks up for them, but our Lord Jesus sees every faithful word we speak for him. A record is kept, and it will bring us honor later and comfort now.

Jesus also did this because the Pharisees had cast him out and treated him badly. The righteous Judge of all the earth notices people who suffer unfairly (Psalm 103:6). He gives special attention to those who suffer for Christ and for a good conscience. Here was one poor man suffering for Christ, and Jesus made sure his trouble would be more than matched by his comfort.

Take note of two things. Though persecutors may shut good people out of their fellowship, they cannot shut them out from fellowship with Christ or keep him from visiting them. Happy are those who have a Friend men cannot keep away from them. Jesus Christ will gladly find and receive those whom others reject and cast out for his sake. He will be a shelter to his outcasts and will appear to the joy of those whom their brothers hated and cast out.

We also see the comforting talk Christ had with him, as he brought him to know more of the consolation of Israel. The man had used well the knowledge he already had, and now Christ gave him more instruction. Whoever is faithful in a little will be trusted with more (Matthew 13:12).

Our Lord Jesus first tests his faith: “Do you believe in the Son of God?” In other words, do you trust the promises about the Messiah? Do you expect him to come, and are you ready to receive him when he is shown to you? This was the faith by which the saints lived before Christ appeared openly.

The Messiah is here called the Son of God, which is how the Jews had learned to speak of him from the prophecies (Psalm 2:7; Psalm 89:27). Compare John 1:49. Some people expected the Messiah to bring an earthly kingdom, so they liked to call him the Son of David, because that fit their hopes better (Matthew 22:42). But Christ, to show us that his kingdom is spiritual and divine, calls himself the Son of God, and more generally the Son of Man than the Son of David.

The Old Testament saints had desires and hopes for the Messiah, based on God’s promise. Christ graciously counts that as believing on the Son of God. This is the faith he asks about here: “Do you believe?” The great thing now required of us, and the thing we will soon be judged on, is whether we believe on the Son of God (John 3:23). By that, we will stand or fall forever.

The poor man then asks carefully about the Messiah he is to believe in, showing that he is ready to embrace him (John 9:36): “Who is he, Lord, that I may believe on him?” Some think he already knew that Jesus, who healed him, was the Son of God, but did not know which man was Jesus. So, thinking this speaker was a follower of Jesus, he asked to be directed to his master, not just to satisfy curiosity, but to believe more firmly and know whom he had trusted. It is Christ alone who can direct us to himself.

Others think he knew the one speaking to him was Jesus, the man who healed him, and believed him to be a great and good man, even a prophet. But he did not yet know that Jesus was the Son of God and the true Messiah. So he was saying, in effect, “Lord, I believe there is a Christ to come. You gave me sight for my body, now tell me who this Son of God is.” Christ’s question made it plain that the Messiah had come and was already among them, and the man quickly picked up that hint. His question was sensible and right: “Who is he, Lord, that I may believe on him?” No one can believe in someone they have not heard about. That is why ministers must tell us who the Son of God is, so we may believe on him (John 20:31).

Then our Lord Jesus kindly reveals himself to him as the Son of God in whom he must believe: “You have now seen him, and it is he who is speaking with you” (John 9:37). He did not need to look far to find the Son of God. The word was near him. We do not find Jesus giving such a direct, plain revelation of himself to many people. He did this here, and also with the woman of Samaria, when he said, “I that speak unto thee am he.” To others, he left the work of reasoning out who he was. But to these weak and unlikely people, he chose to make himself known, not to the wise and powerful.

Christ describes himself to this man in two ways that show great kindness. First, “You have seen him.” The man owed much to Jesus for opening his eyes so he could see him. Now he understood more than ever what a great mercy it was to be healed of blindness, because he could see the Son of God. That sight gave him more joy than the light of this world. The greatest good of bodily sight is that it helps our faith and serves the needs of our souls. This man might well have been willing to go back to blindness, like old Simeon, now that his eyes had seen God’s salvation. If we think of the opening of the eyes of the mind, it means spiritual sight is given mainly so that we may see Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6). Can we say by faith that we have seen Christ, seen his beauty and glory, his power and willingness to save, and seen him so truly that we are satisfied about him and in him? Then let us give praise to the one who opened our eyes.

Second, “It is he who speaks with you.” The man also owed much to Christ for coming near and speaking with him. He was not only given a sight of Christ, but also welcomed into fellowship with him. Great rulers may let people see them, yet refuse to speak with them. But Christ, by his word and Spirit, speaks with those whose hearts are drawn toward him. In speaking with them, he shows himself to them, as he did to the two disciples when he made their hearts burn within them (Luke 24:32).

Notice this too: while the poor man was carefully asking for the Savior, he was at the same time seeing him and speaking with him.

Jesus Christ is often closer to the souls that seek him than they realize. Doubting Christians sometimes say, “Where is the Lord?” and fear that he has turned away from them, when in fact he is the one speaking to them and giving them strength.

The man accepted this surprising truth right away. In joy and wonder, he said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped Jesus. He openly confessed his faith in Christ, saying in effect, “Lord, I believe that you are the Son of God.” He would not argue with the one who had shown him such mercy and worked such a great miracle.

His belief in his heart led him to speak with his mouth. The weak reed had now become a cedar, a strong tree. He also paid Jesus honor by worshiping him. This was more than the respect due to a great man or a kind helper. It was divine honor, given to Jesus as the Son of God who came in human flesh.

Only God is to be worshiped, so worshiping Jesus means recognizing him as God. True faith always shows itself in humble worship of the Lord Jesus. Those who believe in him will see enough reason to worship him. We do not read more about this man, but it is likely that from that point on he became a steady follower of Christ.