John 9:28

Then they reuiled him, and said, Thou art his disciple, but we are Moses disciples. John 9:28 (KJV)

In John 9:28 the narrative follows the miraculous healing of a man born blind. After Jesus restores his sight, the religious leaders interrogate the man about the source of his healing. Their questioning culminates in the harsh reply recorded in this verse.

The Pharisees reviled the man, insulting him because his testimony contradicted their preconceived notions and threatened their authority. Their verbal attack was a direct response to the truth he proclaimed about the work of Jesus.

They accused him of being a disciple of Jesus, intending to discredit his testimony by labeling it as biased. At the same time they asserted, “we are disciples of Moses,” emphasizing their allegiance to the Mosaic Law and claiming a superior religious authority. In one account they even denied that he was a prophet, reinforcing their rejection of his witness.

Opposition to the truth: Their reaction illustrates how some people respond with hostility when confronted by truth that challenges established beliefs. Even after witnessing a miraculous healing, they refused to acknowledge Jesus as the source of that power.

Prejudice and bias: The accusation that the man was a follower of Jesus, and the insistence on being disciples of Moses, serve as reminders that personal attacks and bias are often employed to dismiss viewpoints that differ from one’s own.

The contrast between Moses and Jesus: Their claim highlights the tension between strict adherence to the Law of Moses and the emerging revelation of Jesus as its fulfillment. By clinging to the former, they failed to recognize Jesus as the promised Messiah.

Choosing discipleship: In contrast, the formerly blind man stood firm in his testimony and chose to follow Jesus. His example encourages believers to prioritize their relationship with Christ over the opinions and criticisms of others, even when faced with ridicule or rejection.