John 9:2
And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 18
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
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 of 18
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
λέγοντες
saying
G3004
λέγοντες
saying
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
7 of 18
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
τίς
who
G5101
τίς
who
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
9 of 18
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
ἥμαρτεν
did sin
G264
ἥμαρτεν
did sin
Strong's:
G264
Word #:
10 of 18
properly, to miss the mark (and so not share in the prize), i.e., (figuratively) to err, especially (morally) to sin
οὗτος
this man
G3778
οὗτος
this man
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
11 of 18
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
15 of 18
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
Cross References
Luke 13:2And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?John 9:34They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.Acts 28:4And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.
Historical Context
First-century Judaism debated whether prenatal sin was possible. Some rabbis taught that the fetus could sin in the womb. Others saw parental sin visited on children (Exodus 20:5). Both views sought to explain suffering through direct causation. Jesus rejects this simplistic connection.
Questions for Reflection
- Why do people assume suffering results from specific personal sin?
- How does Jesus' answer challenge simplistic explanations for suffering?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
'And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?' The disciples assume suffering results from specific sin—either the man's (possibly prenatal sin) or his parents'. This reflects common but faulty theology. While sin brought suffering into the world, individual suffering doesn't always trace to individual sin. Job's friends made this error; Jesus corrects it here.