John 9:29
We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is.
John 9:29 (KJV)
Context
In John 9, Jesus heals a man who had been blind from birth, performing the miracle on the Sabbath. This immediately provokes the religious leaders, who interrogate the healed man and then question him again in the presence of the Pharisees. Verse 29 comes in the middle of that tense exchange, as the Pharisees respond to the man’s testimony about Jesus.
Meaning
The Pharisees first affirm a foundational truth: they know that God spoke to Moses, the giver of the Law on Mount Sinai, including the Ten Commandments and the instructions that shaped Israel’s covenant relationship with God. Their certainty about Moses, however, quickly turns to denial when they address the man who has just received sight. They say, “as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is,” revealing their refusal to recognize Jesus as the one sent by God. The Greek text simply reads “this” (toutou); the word “fellow” is supplied by translators and may imply contempt, though it cannot be proven that the Pharisees intended that exact tone.
Biblical connections
The passage highlights the Pharisees’ spiritual blindness. Although they are well-versed in Scripture, they are unable to perceive the fulfillment of those very Scriptures in the person of Jesus. Their preconceived notions and rigid expectations prevent them from seeing beyond the surface of the miracle to its deeper theological significance. This pattern of rejecting Jesus recurs throughout the Gospel of John, as the Pharisees’ refusal to acknowledge Him as the Son of God ultimately leads to their own spiritual downfall and separation from the truth that God reveals.
Application
The irony is that the Pharisees claim to know God’s ways through Moses, yet they fail to recognize the very One sent by God, who stands before them. Their knowledge of Scripture becomes a barrier rather than a bridge to faith. This verse challenges readers to examine whether their own religious knowledge can become a stumbling block to recognizing God’s work in unexpected places. The Pharisees’ confidence in Moses is not wrong in itself, but it becomes misguided when used to dismiss Jesus.
Reflection
In contrast, Jesus consistently affirms His identity and authority. He declares Himself the Son of God and demonstrates, through teaching and further miracles, that He is indeed the One sent by the Father. The question posed in John 9:29 thus sets the stage for the subsequent claims Jesus makes about Himself, inviting readers to consider whether they, like the Pharisees, remain spiritually blind or are willing to receive the light of Christ.
