John 9:20

20 His parents answered, "We know that he is our son, and we know that 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 Jewish authorities, however, were not willing to believe that he had been blind and could now see, until they called his parents

19 and asked them, "Is this your son? You say that he was born blind; how is it, then, that he can now see?"

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

21 But we do not know how it is that he is now able to see, nor do we know who cured him of his blindness. Ask him; he is old enough, and he can answer for himself!"

22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish authorities, who had already agreed that anyone who said he believed that Jesus was the Messiah would be expelled from the synagogue.