John 9:7
And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτῷ
unto him
G846
αὐτῷ
unto him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 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
Ὕπαγε
Go
G5217
Ὕπαγε
Go
Strong's:
G5217
Word #:
4 of 20
to lead (oneself) under, i.e., withdraw or retire (as if sinking out of sight), literally or figuratively
ἐνίψατο
wash
G3538
ἐνίψατο
wash
Strong's:
G3538
Word #:
5 of 20
to cleanse (especially the hands or the feet or the face); ceremonially, to perform ablution
εἰς
in
G1519
εἰς
in
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
6 of 20
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κολυμβήθραν
the pool
G2861
κολυμβήθραν
the pool
Strong's:
G2861
Word #:
8 of 20
a diving-place, i.e., pond for bathing (or swimming)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὃ
(which
G3739
ὃ
(which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
11 of 20
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
Ἀπεσταλμένος
Sent
G649
Ἀπεσταλμένος
Sent
Strong's:
G649
Word #:
13 of 20
set apart, i.e., (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or figuratively
ἀπῆλθεν
He went his way
G565
ἀπῆλθεν
He went his way
Strong's:
G565
Word #:
14 of 20
to go off (i.e., depart), aside (i.e., apart) or behind (i.e., follow), literally or figuratively
οὖν
therefore
G3767
οὖν
therefore
Strong's:
G3767
Word #:
15 of 20
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐνίψατο
wash
G3538
ἐνίψατο
wash
Strong's:
G3538
Word #:
17 of 20
to cleanse (especially the hands or the feet or the face); ceremonially, to perform ablution
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
18 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
Isaiah 35:5Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.John 11:37And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?John 9:11He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight.Isaiah 8:6Forasmuch as this people refuseth the waters of Shiloah that go softly, and rejoice in Rezin and Remaliah's son;Acts 26:18To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.Isaiah 42:7To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.Psalms 146:8The LORD openeth the eyes of the blind: the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down: the LORD loveth the righteous:Nehemiah 3:15But the gate of the fountain repaired Shallun the son of Col-hozeh, the ruler of part of Mizpah; he built it, and covered it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof, and the wall of the pool of Siloah by the king's garden, and unto the stairs that go down from the city of David.Luke 13:4Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?
Historical Context
The Pool of Siloam received water from the Gihon Spring via Hezekiah's tunnel. This pool supplied water for the Feast of Tabernacles ceremony. Recent archaeology (2004) uncovered the actual pool, confirming John's topographical accuracy.
Questions for Reflection
- What is Christ commanding you to do that requires faith before you see results?
- How does the meaning 'Sent' apply both to the pool and to Christ's mission?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The command to wash in Siloam (Hebrew 'Shiloach', meaning 'sent') creates a theological parallel: the blind man is sent to Siloam, as the Son is sent from the Father. Obedience brings sight—the man had no guarantee of healing, yet he obeyed. This illustrates Naaman's healing (2 Kings 5), where washing in Jordan brought cleansing. John emphasizes 'he went...and came seeing', showing complete obedience produces complete healing.