The foregoing chapter acquainted us with. famous encounter which the Pharisees had with our blessed Saviour in the temple at Jeruaslem; this being ended, as he passed from the temple, he saw. man lying, possibly by the highway, who was born blind; him Christ pitches upon as an object fit to exercise... [ Continue Reading ]
Here observe, Something implied or supposed; namely, 1. That all bodily afflictions and calamities do come upon us for sin. Whereas afflictions although they always fall upon. sinner, yet they are not always sent to punish sin, but by way of purigation and prevention of sin. 2. It is here supposed... [ Continue Reading ]
Christ's answer must not be understood absolutely, as if he denied this man and his parents to be guilty of sin, for both he and they had sin enough, not only to deserve temporal blindness, but eternal darkness. The meaning is, that in afflicting this man, the Lord did not so much respect his or hi... [ Continue Reading ]
Here our Saviour tells his disciples, That he was sent by God into the world, and had. great work assigned him by God, during his abode in it; namely to instruct, reform, and save mankind; and what our Saviour says of himself, is applicable to every one of us in. lower sense; we are sent into the wo... [ Continue Reading ]
Two things concurred towards the cure of this blind man, namely, an act of divine power on Christ's part, and an act of faith and obedience on the man's part. 1. An act of divine power on Christ's part, he tempers clay and spittle together, and anoints the man's eyes therewith, and behold he sees.... [ Continue Reading ]
The blind man, thus miraculously cured, returns with much joy to his neighbours and acquaintance, who confer with him about this matter; they inquire, Whether he was the person cured or not? Who was the person that cured him, and where that person was? he assures them, he was the very person that wa... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. How the Jews, who should have been full of silent wonder, and inclined to believed in Jesus Christ, so omnipotent an agent, are prejudiced against him, and bring the late blind man before the Pharisees, our Saviour's professed enemies, Observe, 2. The time which our Saviour chose f... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. How desirous the Pharisees were to obscure the glory of this famous miracle which Christ had wrought: in order to which, 1. They re-examine the man, to know what his thoughts were of the person who had done this for him: they judged him to be an impostor and. great sinner: the man... [ Continue Reading ]
Here we have an account of the Pharisees farther practising upon this blind man, to rob Christ of the glory of this miracle; first, they insinuate with him, and then they frown upon him. First, they insinuate with him, saying, GIVE GOD, THE PRAISE. As if they had said, "Ascribe the cure to God, not... [ Continue Reading ]
In these verses the blind man proceeds to vindicate our blessed Saviour, who had cured him of his blindness, from the exceptions of the Pharisees, and endeavours, by solid arguments to convince them, that his cure (being born blind) was truly miraculous; and consequently proved Christ to be of God.... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. special instance of Pharisaical pride; they account this poor man. vile person, whom heaven had marked by his native blindness for some extraordinary wickedness. How prone are we to judge them the greatest sinners, whom we observe to be the greatest sufferers! Observe, 2. From revi... [ Continue Reading ]
In these words our Saviour declares not the intentional design, but the accidental event, of his coming into the world, namely, 1. That those who were blind might receive sight. 2. That those who presume they see, and know more that others, for despising the gospel, and shutting their eyes against... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. How the Pharisees, who watched all opportunities to ensnare our Saviour, look upon these last words as reflecting upon them; as if Christ did insinuate that they were blind; ARE WE BLIND ALSO? They that shut their eyes, and will not see the light which Christ offers to them, are the... [ Continue Reading ]