João 9

Jesus Cura um Cego de Nascença

1 Ao passar, Jesus viu um cego de nascença.

2 Seus discípulos lhe perguntaram: “Mestre, quem pecou: este homem ou seus pais, para que ele nascesse cego?”

3 Disse Jesus: “Nem ele nem seus pais pecaram, mas isto aconteceu para que a obra de Deus se manifestasse na vida dele.

4 Enquanto é dia, precisamos realizar a obra daquele que me enviou. A noite se aproxima, quando ninguém pode trabalhar.

5 Enquanto estou no mundo, sou a luz do mundo”.

6 Tendo dito isso, cuspiu no chão, misturou terra com saliva e aplicou-a aos olhos do homem.

7 Então disse-lhe: “Vá lavar-se no tanque de Siloé” (que significa “enviado”). O homem foi, lavou-se e voltou vendo.

8 Seus vizinhos e os que anteriormente o tinham visto mendigando perguntaram: “Não é este o mesmo homem que costumava ficar sentado, mendigando?”

9 Alguns afirmavam que era ele.Outros diziam: “Não, apenas se parece com ele”.Mas ele próprio insistia: “Sou eu mesmo”.

10 “Então, como foram abertos os seus olhos?”, interrogaram-no eles.

11 Ele respondeu: “O homem chamado Jesus misturou terra com saliva, colocou-a nos meus olhos e me disse que fosse lavar-me em Siloé. Fui, lavei-me, e agora vejo”.

12 Eles lhe perguntaram: “Onde está esse homem?”“Não sei”, disse ele.

Os Fariseus Investigam a Cura

13 Levaram aos fariseus o homem que fora cego.

14 Era sábado o dia em que Jesus havia misturado terra com saliva e aberto os olhos daquele homem.

15 Então os fariseus também lhe perguntaram como ele recuperara a vista. O homem respondeu: “Ele colocou uma mistura de terra e saliva em meus olhos, eu me lavei e agora vejo”.

16 Alguns dos fariseus disseram: “Esse homem não é de Deus, pois não guarda o sábado”.Mas outros perguntavam: “Como pode um pecador fazer tais sinais milagrosos?” E houve divisão entre eles.

17 Tornaram, pois, a perguntar ao cego: “Que diz você a respeito dele? Foram os seus olhos que ele abriu”.O homem respondeu: “Ele é um profeta”.

18 Os judeus não acreditaram que ele fora cego e havia sido curado enquanto não mandaram buscar os seus pais.

19 Então perguntaram: “É este o seu filho, o qual vocês dizem que nasceu cego? Como ele pode ver agora?”

20 Responderam os pais: “Sabemos que ele é nosso filho e que nasceu cego.

21 Mas não sabemos como ele pode ver agora ou quem lhe abriu os olhos. Perguntem a ele. Idade ele tem; falará por si mesmo”.

22 Seus pais disseram isso porque tinham medo dos judeus, pois estes já haviam decidido que, se alguém confessasse que Jesus era o Cristo, seria expulso da sinagoga.

23 Foi por isso que seus pais disseram: “Idade ele tem; perguntem a ele”.

24 Pela segunda vez, chamaram o homem que fora cego e lhe disseram: “Para a glória de Deus, diga a verdade. Sabemos que esse homem é pecador”.

25 Ele respondeu: “Não sei se ele é pecador ou não. Uma coisa sei: eu era cego e agora vejo!”

26 Então lhe perguntaram: “O que fez ele a você? Como abriu os seus olhos?”

27 Ele respondeu: “Eu já disse, e vocês não me deram ouvidos. Por que querem ouvir outra vez? Acaso vocês também querem ser discípulos dele?”

28 Então, eles o insultaram e disseram: “Discípulo dele é você! Nós somos discípulos de Moisés!

29 Sabemos que Deus falou a Moisés, mas, quanto a esse, nem sabemos de onde ele vem”.

30 O homem respondeu: “Ora, isso é extraordinário! Vocês não sabem de onde ele vem, contudo ele me abriu os olhos.

31 Sabemos que Deus não ouve pecadores, mas ouve o homem que o teme e pratica a sua vontade.

32 “Ninguém jamais ouviu que os olhos de um cego de nascença tivessem sido abertos.

33 Se esse homem não fosse de Deus, não poderia fazer coisa alguma”.

34 Diante disso, eles responderam: “Você nasceu cheio de pecado; como tem a ousadia de nos ensinar?” E o expulsaram.

A Cegueira Espiritual

35 Jesus ouviu que o haviam expulsado e, ao encontrá-lo, disse: “Você crê no Filho do homem?”

36 Perguntou o homem: “Quem é ele, Senhor, para que eu nele creia?”

37 Disse Jesus: “Você já o tem visto. É aquele que está falando com você”.

38 Então o homem disse: “Senhor, eu creio”. E o adorou.

39 Disse Jesus: “Eu vim a este mundo para julgamento, a fim de que os cegos vejam e os que veem se tornem cegos”.

40 Alguns fariseus que estavam com ele ouviram-no dizer isso e perguntaram: “Acaso nós também somos cegos?”

41 Disse Jesus: “Se vocês fossem cegos, não seriam culpados de pecado; mas agora que dizem que podem ver, a culpa de vocês permanece.

João 9 Commentary

Chapter 9

Christ give sight to one born blind. (1-7) The account given by the blind man. (8-12) The Pharisees question the man that had been blind. (13-17) They ask concerning him. (18-23) They cast him out. (24-34) Christ's words to the man that had been blind. (35-38) He reproves the Pharisees. (39-41)

Verses 1-7 Christ cured many who were blind by disease or accident; here he cured one born blind. Thus he showed his power to help in the most desperate cases, and the work of his grace upon the souls of sinners, which gives sight to those blind by nature. This poor man could not see Christ, but Christ saw him. And if we know or apprehend anything of Christ, it is because we were first known of him. Christ says of uncommon calamities, that they are not always to be looked on as special punishments of sin; sometimes they are for the glory of God, and to manifest his works. Our life is our day, in which it concerns us to do the work of the day. We must be busy, and not waste day-time; it will be time to rest when our day is done, for it is but a day. The approach of death should quicken us to improve all our opportunities of doing and getting good. What good we have an opportunity to do, we should do quickly. And he that will never do a good work till there is nothing to be objected against, will leave many a good work for ever undone, ( Ecclesiastes 11:4 ) . Christ magnified his power, in making a blind man to see, doing that which one would think more likely to make a seeing man blind. Human reason cannot judge of the Lord's methods; he uses means and instruments that men despise. Those that would be healed by Christ must be ruled by him. He came back from the pool wondering and wondered at; he came seeing. This represents the benefits in attending on ordinances of Christ's appointment; souls go weak, and come away strengthened; go doubting, and come away satisfied; go mourning, and come away rejoicing; go blind, and come away seeing.

Verses 8-12 Those whose eyes are opened, and whose hearts are cleansed by grace, being known to be the same person, but widely different in character, live as monuments to the Redeemer's glory, and recommend his grace to all who desire the same precious salvation. It is good to observe the way and method of God's works, and they will appear the more wonderful. Apply this spiritually. In the work of grace wrought upon the soul we see the change, but we see not the hand that makes it: the way of the Spirit is like that of the wind, which thou hearest the sound of, but canst not tell whence it comes, nor whither it goes.

Verses 13-17 Christ not only worked miracles on the sabbath, but in such a manner as would give offence to the Jews, for he would not seem to yield to the scribes and Pharisees. Their zeal for mere rites consumed the substantial matters of religion; therefore Christ would not give place to them. Also, works of necessity and mercy are allowed, and the sabbath rest is to be kept, in order to the sabbath work. How many blind eyes have been opened by the preaching of the gospel on the Lord's day! how many impotent souls cured on that day! Much unrighteous and uncharitable judging comes from men's adding their own fancies to God's appointments. How perfect in wisdom and holiness was our Redeemer, when his enemies could find nothing against him, but the oft-refuted charge of breaking the sabbath! May we be enabled, by well-doing, to silence the ignorance of foolish men.

Verses 18-23 The Pharisees vainly hoped to disprove this notable miracle. They expected a Messiah, but could not bear to think that this Jesus should be he, because his precepts were all contrary to their traditions, and because they expected a Messiah in outward pomp and splendour. The fear of man brings a snare, ( Proverbs 29:25 ) , and often makes people deny and disown Christ and his truths and ways, and act against their consciences. The unlearned and poor, who are simple-hearted, readily draw proper inferences from the evidences of the light of the gospel; but those whose desires are another way, though ever learning, never come to the knowledge of the truth.

Verses 24-34 As Christ's mercies are most valued by those who have felt the want of them, that have been blind, and now see; so the most powerful and lasting affections to Christ, arise from actual knowledge of him. In the work of grace in the soul, though we cannot tell when, and how, and by what steps the blessed change was wrought, yet we may take the comfort, if we can say, through grace, Whereas I was blind, now I see. I did live a worldly, sensual life, but, thanks be to God, it is now otherwise with me, ( Ephesians 5:8 ) . The unbelief of those who enjoy the means of knowledge and conviction, is indeed marvellous. All who have felt the power and grace of the Lord Jesus, wonder at the wilfulness of others who reject him. He argues strongly against them, not only that Jesus was not a sinner, but that he was of God. We may each of us know by this, whether we are of God or not. What do we? What do we for God? What do we for our souls? What do we more than others?

Verses 35-38 Christ owns those who own him and his truth and ways. There is particular notice taken of such a suffer in the cause of Christ, and for the testimony of a good conscience. Our Lord Jesus graciously reveals himself to the man. Now he was made sensible what an unspeakable mercy it was, to be cured of his blindness, that he might see the Son of God. None but God is to be worshipped; so that in worshipping Jesus, he owned him to be God. All who believe in him, will worship him.

Verses 39-41 Christ came into the world to give sight to those who were spiritually blind. Also, that those who see might be made blind; that those who have a high conceit of their own wisdom, might be sealed up in ignorance. The preaching of the cross was thought to be folly by such as by carnal wisdom knew not God. Nothing fortifies men's corrupt hearts against the convictions of the word, more than the high opinion which others have of them; as if all that gained applause with men, must obtain acceptance with God. Christ silenced them. But the sin of the self-conceited and self-confident remains; they reject the gospel of grace, therefore the guilt of their sin remains unpardoned, and the power of their sin remains unbroken.