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Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

John 9:31

This is elaborated in John 9:31 : οἴδαμεν … ἀκούει. They themselves had owned it a work of God, John 9:24; but God is not persuaded or induced to give such power to sinners, but only to those who do His will. This man therefore, were He a sinner, would have been unable to do anything, not to speak of such a work as has never before been done. Watkins expresses it as a syllogism. (1) God heareth not sinners but only those who worship Him and do His will; (2) That God heareth this man is certain, for such a miracle could be performed only by divine power; (3) This man, therefore, is not a sinner but is from God.

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See also John 9:31 in other biblical comments:

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    Verse 31. _GOD HEARETH NOT SINNERS_] I believe the word αμαρτωλων signifies _heathens_, or persons not proselyted to the Jewish religion; and therefore it is put in opposition to θεοσεβης, _a_ _worsh...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    NOW WE KNOW - That is, it is an admitted or conceded point. No one calls it into question. GOD HEARETH NOT - When a miracle was performed it was customary to invoke the aid of God. Jesus often did th...

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    CHAPTER 9 _ 1. The Man Born Blind, Healed. (John 9:1 .)_ 2. The Healed Man Questioned. (John 9:8 .) 3. Reviled and Cast Out. (John 9:27 .) 4. Jesus Reveals Himself to Him. ...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    THE INCOMPETENCE AND ANGER OF THE AUTHORITIES. In what follows the actors are described first as Pharisees, then as Jews, the larger party of whom the Pharisees are one section. In John 9:13 the attem...

  • B. W. Johnson's Bible Commentary

    NOW WE KNOW THAT GOD HEARETH NOT SINNERS. His argument was that of the distinguished "master in Israel," Nicodemus, who declared to Christ, "No man can do the miracles thou doest, except God be with...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    LIGHT FOR THE BLIND EYES (John 9:1-5)...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    Now the Jews refused to believe that he had been blind and had become able to see, until they called the parents of the man who had become able to see, and asked them: "Is this your son? And do you sa...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    A WORSHIPPER OF GOD. a pious man, or God-fearing [man]. Greek _theosebes._ Occurs only here in N.T. Compare the kindred noun in 1 Timothy 2:10. In an inscription at Miletus the Jews are called _theose...

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    John 2:13 TO JOHN 11:57. The Work We here enter on the second portion of the first main division of the Gospel, thus subdivided: The Work (1) among _Jews_, (2) among _Samaritans_, (3) among _Galilean...

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    John 8:12 TO JOHN 9:41. Christ the Source of Truth and Light In John 8:12-46 the word -true" occurs six times, the word -truth" seven times....

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    _God heareth not sinners_ i.e. wilful, impenitent sinners. Of course it cannot mean -God heareth no one who hath sinned," which would imply that God never answers the prayers of men. But the man's dic...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    OPPOSITE RESULTS OF THE SIGN...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    ΟΥ̓Κ�. _Heareth not_ wilful, impenitent sinners. Of course it cannot mean ‘God heareth no one who hath sinned,’ which would imply that God never answers the prayers of men. But the man’s dictum, reaso...

  • Catena Aurea Commentary

    Ver 24. Then again called they the man that was blind, and said to him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner. 25. He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one...

  • Charles Rose Commentaries

    ΘΕΟΣΕΒΉΣ (G2318) преданный, боящийся Бога, Ή _praes. conj. act. от_ ΕΙΜΊ (G1510) быть. _Conj._ с ΈΆΝ (G1437) выражает условие, ΠΟΙΉ _praes. conj. act. от_ ΠΟΙΈΩ (G4160) делать....

  • Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

    THE MAN ANSWERED— Utterly illiterate as he was!—and with what strength and clearness of reason! Thus God had opened the eyes of his understanding, as well as his bodily eyes. _"Why, herein is a marvel...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    THE QUESTIONED BECOMES QUESTIONER _Text 9:24-34_ 24 So they called a second time the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give glory to God: we know that this man is a sinner. 25 He therefore a...

  • Combined Bible Commentary

    EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF JOHN John 9:24-41 The following is offered as an Analysis of the passage which is to be before us:— "Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Giv...

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    _THE MAN ANSWERED AND SAID UNTO THEM, WHY HEREIN IS A MARVELLOUS THING, THAT YE KNOW NOT FROM WHENCE HE IS, AND YET HE HATH OPENED MINE EYES._ No JFB commentary on these verses....

  • Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E. Knoch

    16 It is notable how many of our Lord's recorded signs were done on the sabbath. Doubtless this indicates the fact that their antitype is to be found in the sabbatism which comes at His epiphany. When...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    THE MAN BORN BLIND 1-12. The healing of the man born blind. This miracle occurred on the same day as the events of the last c., i.e. probably on the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles. It is intende...

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    JOHN TELLS THE GOOD NEWS ABOUT JESUS GOSPEL OF JOHN _MARION ADAMS_ CHAPTER 9 JESUS CURES A MAN WHO WAS BLIND SINCE BIRTH 9:1-12 V1 As Jesus was walking along, he saw a blind man. The man had bee...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    NOW WE KNOW THAT GOD HEARETH NOT SINNERS. — What they should have known, but asserted that they did not, he proceeds to declare. The argument of this and the two following verses may be stated in syll...

  • Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

    CHAPTER 20 SIGHT GIVEN TO THE BLIND. “And as He passed by, He saw a man blind from his birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, Rabbi, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he should be born...

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    WILLFUL BLINDNESS John 9:26-34 “What a contrast between the opening and the closing of this chapter! The blind sees! The beggar is enriched! The outcast on the Temple steps is a worshiper in the temp...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    The account of His healing of a blind man follows. Its values are gained very largely in relation to this spirit of opposition which was being exhibited. The case aroused great interest, so much so th...

  • George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

    _God doth not hear sinners. That is, in so particular a manner, as to work miracles in favour of them and their doctrine. (Witham)_...

  • Godbey's Commentary on the New Testament

    EXCOMMUNICATION John 9:22-34. “ _His parents said this because they feared the Jews_; _for already the Jews had entered into a covenant that if any one may confess Christ_, _he must be put out of the...

  • Godbey's Commentary on the New Testament

    ADROITNESS OF THIS MAN UNDER PROSECUTION John 9:23-38. “ _Therefore his parents said_, _He is of age_; _ask him. Then they called the man the second time who was blind_, _and said to him_, _Give glory...

  • Godet's commentary on Luke, John, Romans, 1 Corinthians

    ADDITIONAL NOTES BY THE AMERICAN EDITOR. Vv. 1-41. 1. The miracle recorded in this chapter occurred probably on the same day with the discourses of the closing part of ch. 8, and not improbably (if J...

  • Godet's commentary on Luke, John, Romans, 1 Corinthians

    “ _They called, for the second time, the man who had been blind, and they said to him, Give glory to God; we know that this man is a wicked person._ 25. _He answered them, Whether he is a wicked perso...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    They brought to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind. (14) And it was the sabbath-day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes. (15) Then again the Pharisees also asked him, how he had rece...

  • Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly

    The point at which we have arrived gives me an opportunity of saying a little on the beginning of this chapter, and the end of the last; for it is well known that many men, and, I am sorry to add, not...

  • John Calvin's Bible Commentary

    31._Now we know that God heareth not sinners. _Those who think that the man spoke this, in accordance with the opinion of the people, are mistaken; for the word _sinner_, in this passage, as in anothe...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    In chapter 9, we come to the testimony of His works, but as down here as a man in lowliness. It is not the Son of God quickening whom He will as the Father, but by the operation of His grace down here...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    NOW WE KNOW THAT GOD HEARETH NOT SINNERS,.... All mankind are sinners, even God's elect; yea, such who are truly gracious and righteous persons; for there is no man without sin; and God hears such who...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. Ver. 31. _We know that God heareth not sinners_] Their incense smells of the hand...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _The man answered_ Utterly illiterate as he was: and with what strength and clearness of reason! So had God opened the eyes of his understanding, as well as his bodily eyes! _Why, herein is a marvello...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    The proper conclusion of the former blind man:...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    NOW WE KNOW THAT GOD HEARETH NOT SINNERS; BUT IF ANY MAN BE A WORSHIPER OF GOD, AND DOETH HIS WILL, HIM HE HEARETH....

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    SIGHT RESTORED TO A MAN BORN BLIND (vs.1-12) Now that it has been clearly demonstrated that the Jews were determined to kill Him, this chapter witnesses a wonderful contrast to such hatred in the Lo...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    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 knowledg...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    This poor man proveth that Christ was from heaven, because he had opened his eyes; not as yet apprehending that Christ did it by putting out an immediate Divine power for his healing; but as a great p...

  • NT Verse References in the Ante-Nicene Fathers

    Cyprian Epistle LXIII Those, therefore, who have brought grievous sins upon themselves, that is, who, by sacrificing to idols, have offered sacrilegious sacrifices, cannot claim to themselves the pri...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    John 9:31 Now G1161 know G1492 (G5758) that G3754 God G2316 not G3756 hear G191 (G5719) sinners...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    ‘The man answered and said to them, “Why, this is a marvel. You do not know where he comes from, and yet he has opened my eyes? We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshipp...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    The blind man, restored to sight, is brought before the Pharisees with the view of instituting proceedings against Jesus, who, by the healing on the Sabbath, had violated the sanctity of the day of re...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    John 9:30-33. The man answered, and said unto them, why, herein is the marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he opened mine eyes. We know that God heareth not sinners; but if a...

  • Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament

    GOD DOES NOT HEAR SINNERS (ο θεος αμαρτωλων ουκ ακουε). Note genitive case with ακουε. This was the argument of the Pharisees in John 9:16. It is frequent in the O.T. (Job 27:9; Psalms 66:18;...

  • Scofield's Bible Commentary

    SINNER SIN (_ See Scofield) - (Romans 3:23). _...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    John 9:1. _And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind_ Christ's di...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    John 9:1. _And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth._ Therefore the man could not see Jesus, but the more important matter was that Christ could see the blind man. And you,...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    John 9:1. _And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth._ The man could not see Jesus, but sight came to the man from Jesus. If there are any here who cannot look to Christ as...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    John 9:1. _And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth, And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?_ The proced...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    John 9:1. _And as Jesus passed by he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answere...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    We will first read about one of our Lord's miracles, and then, as many of us will be coming to the communion table, we will read about the Lord's supper. John 9:1. And as Jesus passed by, he saw a ma...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: Healing of the man born blind. The fault finding of unbelievers. CHARACTERS: Jesus, blind man, disciples, Pharisees, neighbors, Moses. CONCLUSION: The Lord Jesus Christ came into the world,...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    John 9:7. _Go, wash in the pool of Siloam._ Some travellers say that this fountain is supplied by conduits from the Gihon, and that the water has a sweet taste. Mr. Biddulph, quoted on John 4:5, says...

  • The Bible Study New Testament

    WE KNOW THAT GOD DOES NOT LISTEN TO SINNERS. The Old Testament Scriptures say this (Proverbs 15:29; Isaiah 1:15; Micah 3:4; compare James 5:16-17).

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _Now we know that God heareth not sinners_ TRUE AND NOT TRUE 1_._ It is ill to wrench passages of the Bible out of their context, and treat them as infallible scripture when they are only sayings o...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _Then again called they the man_ THE SECOND EXAMINATION OF THE MAN I. INTIMIDATION. The hostile section sought to overbear the man’s judgment by their superior knowledge and position. They, the heave...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    JOHN—NOTE ON JOHN 9:31 The man’s main idea, that GOD DOES NOT LISTEN TO SINNERS, reflects several OT passages (e.g., Psalms 34:15;...

  • The Great Commentary of Cornelius à Lapide

    CHAPTER 9 VER. 1. _And as Jesus passed by_, &c. Passing through the midst of His enemies and the crowd of the people. This signifies (though some deny it) that this cure took place immediately after C...

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    _EXPLANATORY AND CRITICAL NOTES_ John 9:13. THEY BROUGHT.—Better THEY BRING. John 9:14. NOW IT WAS A SABBATH ON THE DAY THAT JESUS MADE THE CLAY, ETC.—It was most likely a festival Sabbath. John 9:1...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION These chapters (9. and 10.) bring the conflict with the Jews to a climax before the commencement of the Peraean ministry. They are doubtless closely connected with what has preceded; but th...

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    Shall we turn now in our Bibles to the gospel according to John, chapter 9. Jesus had been having a dispute with the Pharisees in the temple at the time of the Feast of the Tabernacles, six months or...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    1 John 3:21; 1 John 3:22; 1 Kings 17:20; 1 Kings 18:36;...

  • Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament (4 Volume Set)

    We know. Here the pronoun is not expressed, and the we is not emphatic, like the pronouns in vv. 24, 29, but expresses the common information of all concerning a familiar fact. A worshipper of God [θ...

  • Wells of Living Water Commentary

    THE MAN BLIND FROM BIRTH John 9:1 INTRODUCTORY WORDS 1. A strange question. As Jesus passed by He saw a man which was blind from his birth. That doubtless was a common occurrence along most any road...

  • Wesley's Explanatory Notes

    We — Even we of the populace, know that God heareth not sinners — Not impenitent sinners, so as to answer their prayers in this manner. The honest courage of this man in adhering to the truth, though...

  • When Critics Ask: A Popular Handbook on Bible Difficulties, Norman L. Geisler and Thomas Howe, 1960

    Does God hear the prayers of sinners? PROBLEM: John said here, “Now we know that God does not hear sinners.” Yet Jesus said God heard the publican who prayed, “God be merciful to me a sinner” (Luke 1...

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Old Testament