John 9:30

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis

ἀπεκρίθη

G611

answered

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

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἄνθρωπος

G444

The man

man-faced, i.e., a human being

καὶ

G2532

and

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

εἶπεν

G2036

said

to speak or say (by word or writing)

αὐτοῖς

G846

unto them

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

Ἐν

G1722

herein

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

γὰρ

G1063

Why

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

τούτῳ

G5129

to (in, with or by) this (person or thing)

#10

θαυμαστόν

G2298

a marvellous thing

wondered at, i.e., (by implication) wonderful

#11

ἐστίν

G2076

he is

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

#12

ὅτι

G3754

that

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

#13

ὑμεῖς

G5210

you (as subjective of verb)

#14

οὐκ

G3756

not

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

#15

οἴδατε

G1492

know

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

#16

πόθεν

G4159

from whence

from which (as interrogative) or what (as relative) place, state, source or cause

#17

ἐστίν

G2076

he is

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

#18

καὶ

G2532

and

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

#19

ἀνέῳξεν

G455

yet he hath opened

to open up (literally or figuratively, in various applications)

#20

μου

G3450

mine

of me

#21

τοὺς

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#22

ὀφθαλμούς

G3788

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

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on divine love particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

In what ways does understanding divine revelation in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about divine love?
How does this verse's literary context within John chapter 9 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
How does the divine love theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

John 9:30

Analysis

Historical Context

Questions for Reflection

Related Resources

Topics

People

Study Resources