John 9:21-25

John 9:21-25
John 9:21 (KJB)
But by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself.
The Jews had put the parents in a bad situation because they had no knowledge of who opened the eyes of their son. The parents should have tried to find their son and find out the circumstances surrounding his healing. Instead, out of fear they told the Pharisees that the man was of adult age and he will be able to speak for himself in this matter. The parents had gone as far as they could in rendering an opinion.
John 9:22 (KJB)
These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.
No doubt the parents had been members of the Synagogue and in fear of the Jews they stopped their testimony at the second question which was correct on their part because they were not at the healing so they could tell what really happened. By the Jews agreeing that if anyone confesses Jesus as Christ were to be put out of the Synagogue, it would also make a person an outcast in that community. So truth was not something the Jews wanted concerning Jesus because they placed a penalty on truth. Normally you place a penalty on lying, but they wanted Jesus dead so lying was acceptable to them and truth was anathema. To the Jews in ancient times, the Synagogue or Temple was the center of activity for the community. It was just like back in the early years of America, the church was the center of activity in the community, especially on the prairie. Small towns held activities in concert with the church.
John 9:23 (KJB)
Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him.
To prevent being an outcast from the Synagogue and community, the parents had answered in fear and placed the onus of the answer on their son because he was an adult. This shows the power of religion and how it can control the lives of a person and cause them to live in cowering fear. This is part of the bondage that true salvation in Christ delivers a person from. His parents were more concerned about their religion than the fact that a family member was healed from being blind. Religion can easily come between family members and even be the cause of families splitting. These parents forsook their child for dead religion.
John 9:24 (KJB)
Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner.
The parents were obviously excused at this time and now they once again call the man back again. Instead of them accepting the fact that the man was able to see after it was confirmed to them that he was blind from birth, they attempt to influence his decision by intimidation tactics. Now they bring God into it as a means to intimidate him. They were not concerned about giving God the praise, they used Him as a means to an end. They may have wanted this man to bypass Jesus in giving recognition for the healing and give the praise directly to God. In either way, they wanted to reject the fact that Jesus was the one who healed him. Then the Pharisees claim that they know that this man was a sinner, meaning Jesus. It seems like the faction of the Pharisees which saw Jesus as a sinner had now become the overwhelming attitude because where was the faction that wanted more information? Their assertion that they know Jesus was a sinner was nothing more than a pure accusation stemming from hatred and envy. They never had a civil conversation with Jesus so how could they come to a firm conclusion like that.
John 9:25 (KJB)
He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.
The Pharisees had accused Jesus of being a sinner and the man now responds that he does not know whether He is a sinner or not. The man then responds to the evidence that a miracle had taken place in his body. He may not know all the theological circumstances of this event but he stands firm on the evidence that he was once blind but now he can see. The miracle which happened to him did not happen based upon the conclusion of the Pharisees, it was based upon who Jesus was and God‘s plan. It is like someone becoming saved in a dead church, it is not based upon the church’s teaching but upon Christ who saves. This man did not know all the particulars, but he went on the evidence and that was all he knew up to that time. It was like the thief on the cross, how much did he know between the time he became saved and the time he died? He knew nothing except he went to Heaven with a promise that he would be in paradise today! So goes the need for the education and philosophy gods.

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