John 9:14

Authorized King James Version

And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
ἦν
it was
i (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)
#2
δὲ
And
but, and, etc
#3
σάββατον
the sabbath day
the sabbath (i.e., shabbath), or day of weekly repose from secular avocations (also the observance or institution itself); by extension, a se'nnight,
#4
ὅτε
when
at which (thing) too, i.e., when
#5
τὸν
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#6
πηλὸν
the clay
clay
#7
ἐποίησεν
made
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
#8
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#9
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
#10
καὶ
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#11
ἀνέῳξεν
opened
to open up (literally or figuratively, in various applications)
#12
αὐτοῦ
his
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
#13
τοὺς
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#14
ὀφθαλμούς
eyes
the eye (literally or figuratively); by implication, vision; figuratively, envy (from the jealous side-glance)

Analysis

The divine love theme here intersects with God's covenantal faithfulness demonstrated throughout salvation history. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation from covenant love in the Old Testament to agape love in the New. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about hesed in the Old Testament and agape in the New Testament.

Historical Context

The historical context of the late first century during increasing tension between synagogue and church provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The late first-century Jewish-Christian tensions and Hellenistic thought would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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