📖 Biblical Definition
The Blind Man of John 9 was the man born blind whom Jesus healed by spitting on the ground, making clay, anointing his eyes, and sending him to wash in Siloam. The healed man returned seeing. The chapter then records the Pharisees' interrogation of him, his theological maturation through the questioning, his expulsion from the synagogue, and Christ's self-revelation to him as the Son of God. He is the model of progressing faith: he is a prophet (v. 17) → a man of God (v. 33) → Lord, I believe (v. 38).
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
Man born blind, healed by Jesus, expelled from the synagogue for confessing Him; model of progressing faith (Jn 9).
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John 9 dedicates an entire chapter to him — unusual length. Christ's opening teaching (neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him) reframes blindness theologically.
His progressive testimony under Pharisaic interrogation is one of the New Testament's most carefully recorded conversion narratives. From cautious description (a man called Jesus) to bold confrontation (thou knowest not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes) to confession (Lord, I believe).
📖 Key Scripture
John 9:3 — "Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him."
John 9:25 — "He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see."
John 9:34 — "And they cast him out."
John 9:38 — "And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern Christianity often celebrates the healing without honoring the persecution that followed; the man was cast out for his testimony, and Christ found him.
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John 9:25 is one of Scripture's most quotable testimonies: whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see. The honest, unsophisticated witness disarms sophisticated objection.
The Pharisees cast him out (Jn 9:34); Christ found him (Jn 9:35); the man worshipped (Jn 9:38). The household's pattern: faithful testimony may cost synagogue membership; Christ does not abandon those cast out for His name; worship is the proper end of the story.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Composite term; the man is unnamed in the text.
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John 9 records 41 verses; the man speaks 7 times.
Note: distinct from Bartimaeus (Mk 10) and the two blind men of Jericho (Mt 20).
Usage
"Whereas I was blind, now I see."
"The honest unsophisticated witness disarms sophisticated objection."
"Christ does not abandon those cast out for His name."