John 9:30
The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes.
Original Language Analysis
ἀπεκρίθη
answered
G611
ἀπεκρίθη
answered
Strong's:
G611
Word #:
1 of 22
to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
4 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτοῖς
unto them
G846
αὐτοῖς
unto them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 of 22
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
γὰρ
Why
G1063
γὰρ
Why
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
8 of 22
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
θαυμαστόν
a marvellous thing
G2298
θαυμαστόν
a marvellous thing
Strong's:
G2298
Word #:
10 of 22
wondered at, i.e., (by implication) wonderful
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
12 of 22
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
οἴδατε
know
G1492
οἴδατε
know
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
15 of 22
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
πόθεν
from whence
G4159
πόθεν
from whence
Strong's:
G4159
Word #:
16 of 22
from which (as interrogative) or what (as relative) place, state, source or cause
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
18 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀνέῳξεν
yet he hath opened
G455
ἀνέῳξεν
yet he hath opened
Strong's:
G455
Word #:
19 of 22
to open up (literally or figuratively, in various applications)
Cross References
John 12:37But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:Isaiah 29:14Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.Isaiah 29:18And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness.Psalms 119:18Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.John 3:10Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
Historical Context
The formerly blind man now sees more clearly than the religious teachers. This ironic reversal runs through the chapter. Those with physical eyes prove spiritually blind; the physically blind man sees spiritual truth. Jesus will make this explicit in verse 39.
Questions for Reflection
- How can religious expertise sometimes blind people to obvious spiritual truth?
- What irony does the man's clear seeing versus the Pharisees' blindness represent?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
'The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes.' The man turns the tables—the marvelous thing isn't the healing but their blindness. They claim religious expertise yet can't identify the source of miraculous power. His irony exposes their absurdity. Common sense sees what religious sophistication misses.