The healing of the man born blind is the sixth of seven signs recorded by John. Each of the signs, culminating in the raising of Lazarus (chapter 11), is meant to point to Jesus as the Christ. Like this miracle, the fourth sign (the healing of the lame man in chapter 5) takes place on a Sabbath in connection to a pool of water. Both miracles are met by hostility from the religious authorities whose blindness generates great hostility toward Jesus whom they perceive to be a law breaker.

Jesus himself bookends the scene which narrates the angry response of the religious authorities to his miracle of healing on the Sabbath. They have no interest in seeking to discern Jesus’ claims in light of his miraculous works. Their desire is solely to exterminate Jesus. Nevertheless, the dialogue between several different actors in the drama serve to highlight the Person and work of the Christ. In essence, John leverages this event to help us “see” the meaning and significance of Jesus and ultimately to believe in him. It is the opponents of Jesus who are truly blind and those who believe who are granted sight.

The man Jesus healed could now see from once blind eyes. But the greater miracle was the sight granted him within. This man to whom Jesus was once a stranger now confesses him as the Christ. And that is the great matter for John’s gospel and the great matter for all humanity. Do you believe?

“There may be many things in your mind that you think are important and that the world judges to be important, but none of them are as important as the great matter of salvation…Do you believe on Jesus? The Bible stresses the importance of this matter when it asks properly, ‘What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?’ (Mark 8:36).”

– ​James Montgomery Boice