John 9:20

20 His parents said, "We know he is our son, and we know he was born blind.

John 9:20 Meaning and Commentary

John 9:20

His parents answered them, and said
What follows, which contains distinct answers to the several questions: and to the first they reply very freely, and with great confidence,

we know that this is our son;
for though his receiving his sight made a considerable alteration in him, yet his features were the same; and there might be some marks in his body, which they were acquainted with, by which they knew assuredly he was their son: and if even the neighbours, though they disagreed about him, yet some of them knew him to be the same person that had been blind and begged, then much more his parents; and even those who said it was not he, yet they owned he was like him: and with respect to the second question they answer,

and that he was born blind:
this they were ready to attest, and did attest.

John 9:20 In-Context

18 The Jews didn't believe it, didn't believe the man was blind to begin with. So they called the parents of the man now bright-eyed with sight.

19 They asked them, "Is this your son, the one you say was born blind? So how is it that he now sees?"

20 His parents said, "We know he is our son, and we know he was born blind.

21 But we don't know how he came to see - haven't a clue about who opened his eyes. Why don't you ask him? He's a grown man and can speak for himself."

22 (His parents were talking like this because they were intimidated by the Jewish leaders, who had already decided that anyone who took a stand that this was the Messiah would be kicked out of the meeting place.