John – Chapter 9:1-34
9:1-7 The miracle and its background – There are few connections with the last chapters, suggesting this story is an interlude after the long and involved dialogues that preceded it. It is a concrete example of the refusal of the Jewish leaders to acknowledge Jesus for who He was, despite the clear witness of His miracles. It is similar to the healing of the paralytic man (5:1ff). After the miracle (vs. 1-7) are four distinguishable conversations (vs. 8-12, 13-17, 18-23, and 24-34) with an increasingly hostility from “the Jews” and more decisiveness and conviction from the healed man. This is the first we’ve heard mention of “his disciples” since 6:70. They apparently know the blind beggar. Their question is theodicy (coined by Leibniz in 1710), the dogma of a direct relationship between sin and sickness. But he was born blind, so how what has he done? For a similar question, see Jn 5:14; Luke 13:2-5. The subject will come back in 9:34 as an accusation against Jesus. While there is a connection between sin and suffering, it’s far from superficial. v. 3-5 “I Am the light of the world” – The emphasis now is not on what caused the blindness but what will happen now to the blind man, namely the works of the Father than He sent Jesus to do and manifest His glory (11:4). Note the limit with the night coming. The “day” is the time of Christ. This idea returns in 11:9ff and 12:35ff. But that night will turn to day on Pentecost with the coming of the Holy Spirit and the Word. v. 6-7 “The pool of Siloam” – The healing of the man recalls a similar healing of Mark 8:23. Uniquely here, Jesus’ saliva is combined with the earth and the Word. This is an act of re-creation! Some suggest this also violated the sabbath law against kneading dough. And as with John 3 & 5, washing with water gives new life. The pool of Siloam is mentioned also in Neh 3:5; Is 8:6. It also recalls the command of Elijah to Naaman and his subsequent healing (2 Kings 5:10ff). But remember the connection of water and light at the Feast of Tabernacles (7:37ff). Jesus himself is the light of the world. The washing reveals Him as the one who grants living water. No wonder then, that the early baptismal liturgies…