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Introduction
The Bible is one of the most influential books in the history of humanity, and many of its words and notions have a deep meaning. In this paper, we will attempt to analyze Chapter 9 of the Fourth Gospel, search for some repeating and notions that might indicate a theme, and understand their meaning.
Main body
There are some repeated words in verses 35-41 (The New Revised Standard Version Bible, John 9.35-41). For instance, the word “to see” is repeated four times; it is related to the adjective “blind.” It seems clear that these words indicate a theme. Their meaning in the given passage is metaphorical. They are also related to the notion of judgment; Jesus says, “I came into this world for judgment so that those who do not see may see, and those who do see may become blind” (John 9.39).
The topic of sight is present earlier in the chapter. At the beginning of the chapter, Jesus heals a man who was born blind, opening his eyes and making him able to see. Therefore, it is clear that the theme of sight and blindness extends beyond the physical ability to see.
From NT 501, it is known that Jesus uses several metaphors throughout the Gospel of John. In Chapter 9, he says “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world” (John 9.5). The metaphor of light is related to the ability to see and to the characteristic of being blind. Also, from NT 501 it is known that John uses these metaphors in his Gospel to help the reader understand something about Jesus.
Let us interpret these two notions, the ability to see and the state of being blind, as well as the term “judgment.” It is our opinion that the ability to “see” here means not the physical capability to interpret the light falling on the retina, but the act of understanding that Jesus is the Son of God. If that is the case, it is clear that the word “bind” here is also related to the act of recognizing the Son of God.
It might be understood that Jesus came to judge people and help those who are spiritually blind to recognize Him as the Son of God. On the other hand, He says, “Those who do see may become blind” (John 9.39), which probably means that those who have a very high and conceited opinion about themselves and their ability to comprehend things are blind to the truth, and so they remain in their darkness. This interpretation is warranted by the words of Jesus, who says: “If you were blind, you would not have sinned. But now that you say, ‘We see,’ your sin remains” (John 9.41). Jesus, who is “the light of the world” (John 9.5), sheds light on the truth for those who are willing to embrace it.
This reading can also be warranted by Jesus’ other words earlier in the chapter. Jesus tells his disciples, “he [the physically blind man] was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him” (John 9:3); his blindness made him open to the truth. It is also interesting that to heal the man, Jesus puts mud on his eyes first, and then tells him to wash in the pool of Siolam (John 9:6-7); normally, the mud would prevent one from seeing, but here it is a way Jesus uses to give the man sight. It also symbolizes the metaphorical blindness, one that allows a person to embrace the light when the mud is washed away, to recognize the Son of God through opening one’s mind.
Conclusion
To sum up, it should be noted that the words “to see” and “blind” in Chapter 9 of the Fourth Gospel indicate the theme related to the readiness of people to open their minds to God. It is also important that Jesus here is revealed as the (metaphorical) light that allows those willing to see to do so.
Works Cited
The New Revised Standard Version Bible. Ed. Zaine Ridling. 1989. Web.
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