John 9:33

33 If this man had not come from God, he could do nothing."

John 9:33 Meaning and Commentary

John 9:33

If this man were not of God
If he had not his mission, commission, and credentials from God; if he had not been sent by him, and had not authority from him, and was not assisted by him, as man, or God was not with him,

he could do nothing;
or "not do these things", as the Syriac version reads; that is, such miraculous works; or, as the Persic version, "he could not do this miracle": open the eyes of a man born blind. His doing this is a full proof that he is of God, and comes from him.

John 9:33 In-Context

31 We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to godly people who do what he wants them to do.

32 Nobody has ever heard of anyone opening the eyes of a person born blind.

33 If this man had not come from God, he could do nothing."

34 Then the Pharisees replied, "When you were born, you were already deep in sin. How dare you talk like that to us!" And they threw him out of the synagogue.

35 Jesus heard that the Pharisees had thrown the man out. When he found him, he said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?"