John 9:18
But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight.
Original Language Analysis
ἐπίστευσαν
believe
G4100
ἐπίστευσαν
believe
Strong's:
G4100
Word #:
2 of 20
to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
περὶ
concerning
G4012
περὶ
concerning
Strong's:
G4012
Word #:
6 of 20
properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
7 of 20
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
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
8 of 20
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
τυφλὸς
blind
G5185
τυφλὸς
blind
Strong's:
G5185
Word #:
9 of 20
opaque (as if smoky), i.e., (by analogy) blind (physically or mentally)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀναβλέψαντος
received his sight
G308
ἀναβλέψαντος
received his sight
Strong's:
G308
Word #:
12 of 20
to look up; by implication, to recover sight
ἕως
until
G2193
ἕως
until
Strong's:
G2193
Word #:
13 of 20
a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)
ἐφώνησαν
they called
G5455
ἐφώνησαν
they called
Strong's:
G5455
Word #:
15 of 20
to emit a sound (animal, human or instrumental); by implication, to address in words or by name, also in imitation
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
18 of 20
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
Historical Context
Calling parents as witnesses follows Jewish investigatory procedure, but here it's motivated by desire to deny rather than discover truth. Their unbelief was impervious to evidence.
Questions for Reflection
- What causes people to reject clear evidence of God's work?
- When have you seen willful unbelief resist obvious truth?
- How do you distinguish genuine questioning from determined unbelief?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The Jews' refusal to believe the miracle demonstrates willful unbelief. They call the man's parents to testify, seeking loopholes to deny the obvious. This illustrates that unbelief is ultimately moral, not intellectual - no amount of evidence convinces those determined not to believe. Jesus' earlier words prove true: some see and become blind (v. 39).