John 9:23
Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him.
Original Language Analysis
διὰ
Therefore
G1223
διὰ
Therefore
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
1 of 11
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 11
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
5 of 11
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
G3754
ἔχει
He is
G2192
ἔχει
He is
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
9 of 11
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
Historical Context
Excommunication (Greek: aposunagōgos) meant being banned from synagogue worship and social interaction with the Jewish community. For first-century Jews, this was catastrophic, severing all primary relationships.
Questions for Reflection
- What costs do you face for confessing Christ?
- How do you weigh the cost of discipleship against the value of Christ?
- What fears keep you from fuller confession of faith?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
John explains the parents' fear: Jews had agreed to excommunicate anyone confessing Jesus as Messiah. This reveals the cost of discipleship - social, religious, and economic exclusion. Synagogue excommunication meant being cut off from Jewish community, affecting business, social standing, and family relationships. Yet the man will choose Christ over security.