Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 9:36
He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?
36. Who is he, Lord ] We should perhaps insert ‘and’ or ‘then’ with some of the best MSS., and Who is He? or, Who is He then? This ‘and’ or ‘then’ has the effect of intensifying the question. Comp. ‘ and who is my neighbour?’ (Luk 10:29); ‘Who then can be saved?’ (Joh 18:26); ‘Who is he then that maketh me glad?’ (2Co 2:2). ‘Lord’ should perhaps be ‘Sir’ as in Joh 4:11; Joh 4:15; Joh 4:19; Joh 4:49; Joh 5:7 (see on Joh 6:34): not until Joh 9:38 does he reach the point at which he would call Jesus ‘Lord.’ But it is the same Greek word in both cases, though the amount of reverence with which he uses it increases, as in the parallel case of the woman at the well.
that I might believe ] Literally, in order that I may believe. S. John’s favourite construction again, as in Joh 9:2-3 ; Joh 9:22.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Who is he? – It is probable that the man did not know that he who now addressed him was the same who had healed him. He had not yet seen him Joh 9:7, but he was prepared to acknowledge him when he did see him. He inquired, therefore, who the person was, or wished that he might be pointed out to him, that he might see him. This passage shows that he was disposed to believe, and had a strong desire to see and hear the Son of God.
Lord – This word here, as in many other instances in the New Testament, means Sir. It is clear that the man did not know that it was the Lord Jesus that addressed him, and he therefore replied to him in the common language of respect, and asked him to point out to him the Son of God. The word translated Lord here is rendered Sir in Joh 4:11; Joh 20:15; Joh 12:21; Act 16:30; Mat 27:63. It should have been also here, and in many other places.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 36. Who is he, Lord?] it is very likely that the blind man did not know that it was Jesus the Christ who now spoke to him; for it is evident he had never seen him before this time; and he might now see him without knowing that he was the person by whom he was cured, till our Lord made that discovery of himself, mentioned in the following verse.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
It is as much as if he had said, Lord! How should I believe on him, of whom I have not heard? (So the disciples answered Paul, asking them whether they had received the Holy Ghost, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost, Act 19:2). But, saith he, Lord, I am ready to believe on him, may I but know who he is. Our Lord had prepared this poor mans heart for the receiving of him; there wanted now nothing but the due revelation of the Messiah unto him. This our Saviour giveth him.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
36. He answered and said, Who is he,Lord, that I may believe on him?“His reply isaffirmative, and believing by anticipation, promising faith as soonas Jesus shall say who He is” [STIER].
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
He answered and said,…. That is, “he that was healed”, as the Syriac version reads:
who is the Lord that I might believe in him? which shows, that though he knew there was a Messiah expected, and he believed in him as to come, yet he knew not that he was already come, nor the particular person in human nature, who was the Messiah, and the Son of God; even though he had been cured of his blindness by him, and had vindicated him, and pleaded for him before the sanhedrim, and had also suffered for him; which makes it appear, that Christ does many and great things for his people before they know him: nor does their interest in him, in his favour, and in the blessings of his grace, depend upon their knowledge of him, and faith in him; as likewise, that a man may plead for Christ, and suffer much for him, and yet be ignorant of him: however, there were in this man desires of knowing Christ; he was not like those in Job 21:14; and there was a readiness in him to believe on him, as soon as he was pointed out to him; not that there is any natural disposition in men to believe, or any readiness in themselves to it, or that it is of themselves; nothing of this nature was in this man; but he having, by the power and grace of Christ, the principle of faith implanted in his heart, what he wanted was to be directed to the proper object of it, as he is in Joh 9:37.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
And who is he, Lord, that I may believe on him? ( , ;). The initial (and) is common (Mark 10:26; Luke 10:29; Luke 18:26). Probably by he means only “Sir.” It usually comes at the beginning of the sentence, not at the end as here and verse 38.
That I may believe on him ( ). Ellipsis to be supplied before this final clause. He catches up the words of Jesus in the preceding verse, though he does not yet know who the Son of Man (or Son of God) is, but he trusts Jesus.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Who is He? The best texts insert kai, and; and who is he? which imparts an air of eagerness to the question.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “He answered and said,” (apekrithe ekemos kai eipen) “That one (then) replied and said,” inquiring earnestly, desiring to know Him.
2) “Who is he Lord,” (kai tis estin kurie) “And who is he master, or Lord?” Tell me who He is, master. Like the Eunuch, he wanted to know more about the Savior, who was “wounded for our transgression and bruised for our iniquities,” etc. Isa 53:4-7; Act 8:27-39.
3) “That I might believe on him?” (hina pisteuso eis auton) “In order that I may believe into or trust him;-Just tell me, he appealed. He was an honest seeker of the Savior, for his sins, willing to believe. And he sought Him while He might be found, while He was near, Isa 55:6-7; Joh 7:17.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
36. Who is he, Lord, that I may believe in him? From this reply of the blind man it is evident that, though he had not yet attained any clear or certain knowledge of Christ, still he was obedient and ready to receive instruction; for these words mean, “As soon as he is pointed out to me, I am ready to embrace him.” But it ought to be observed that the blind man desires to be instructed by Christ as a Prophet; for he was already convinced that Christ had been sent by God, and therefore he does not at random place reliance on his doctrine.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(36) Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?For Lord it would be better to read Sir, as in Joh. 4:11; Joh. 4:19; Joh. 5:7, et. al. The man does not express by it more than the reverence to a prophet or teacher. He recognises Him by the voice which he had heard before, and now for the first time sees Him. He is ready to believe on the Messiah whom all expected, and he feels that this prophet, who had opened his eyes, can tell him who the Messiah is. The form of the question, Who is He? suggests that he half expected that He, upon whom he looked, was more than a prophet, and was none other than the Messiah Himself. In the absence of any such thought, the question would have taken a vague form, such as Where is He? or When shall He appear? He asks as one who knows that the object of his faith is at hand.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
36. Who is he What it is to be the Son of God, the man knows not; but whatever Jesus shall affirm, that it is. And to whom belongs this title he knows not; but to whom Jesus assigns that high title, to him it belongs. So faith may lie in the heart, the spirit, and the will, long before it is completely defined in the head. See notes on Joh 9:8-12.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘He answered and said, ‘Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?’
The man was willing to learn anything that Jesus wanted to teach him. He recognised that Jesus was a God sent teacher and was willing to accept whatever He told him. Who, then, he asked was this Son of Man? At Jesus’ recommendation he was willing to believe in anyone.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
36 He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?
Ver. 36. Who is he, that I might believe on him? ] A man of God, he held Christ, Joh 9:33 . The Son of God he yet knew him not to be; but was willing to be further informed, as appeareth by this question. They that hold fast what they have already received till Christ come, shall have more light,Rev 2:25Rev 2:25 ; and a little strength well improved, may have “a great door, and effectual, opened,” Rev 3:8 .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
36. ] This . surpasses his present comprehension: and therefore, true to his simple and guileless character, he asks for further information about Him.
] See reff. and Mar 10:26 .
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Joh 9:36 . The man’s answer shows that he was willing to believe in the Messiah if he could identify Him; and having already declared Jesus to be a prophet, he believed that He could tell him who the Messiah was. It may be taken for granted that although he had not seen Jesus since recovering his sight, he knew somehow that he was speaking to the person who had healed him; and was perhaps almost prepared for the great announcement (Joh 9:37 ): , “Thou hast both seen Him,” no doubt: with a reference to the blessing of restored eyesight; . This direct revelation, similar to that given to the Samaritan woman (Joh 4:26 ), was elicited by the pitiable condition of the man as an outcast from the Jewish community, and by the perception that the man was ripe for faith.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
Lord. See App-98.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
36.] This . surpasses his present comprehension: and therefore, true to his simple and guileless character, he asks for further information about Him.
] See reff. and Mar 10:26.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Joh 9:36. , and who) , and what [has happened that]: ch. Joh 14:22, [How is it that.-Engl. Vers.] , and who [is my neighbour?], Luk 10:29, Notes.[263]-, that) This depends on Tell me, and the, Tell me, lies hid in the, Who is He?-, I may believe) It was a step in faith, that he accounts Jesus as one whom he must believe, whatsoever He may say.
[263] approves of the speech that immediately precedes, and yet adds something to it, (of an adversative kind; but who; but what).-E. and T.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Joh 9:36
Joh 9:36
He answered and said, And who is he, Lord, that I may believe on him?-He already believed that he was sent of God and that God was with him. But he did not know that he was the Son of God. So he was ready to believe whatever Jesus would tell him.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
Who: Joh 1:38, Pro 30:3, Pro 30:4, Son 5:9, Mat 11:3
Reciprocal: Joh 9:39 – that they Joh 11:27 – Yea
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
6
This question asked by the man is clear when we remember that he had not seen Jesus, and hence did not recognize his person. In other words, he evidently had learned that the one talking to him was a good and great man, but did not know of his Sonship with God.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Joh 9:36. He answered and said, And who is he, Lord, that I may believe in him? These are not words of a doubter, but of one who seeks to be led to a complete faith. In Jesus he has fullest confidence, and he waits only to hear His declaration respecting the Son of man: as such Jesus has not yet manifested Himself to him.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Verse 36
Who is he, Lord? perhaps not knowing that Jesus was the one who had restored him; for, as he hid not seen him before, he could not now have recognized him, but by his voice.
Fuente: Abbott’s Illustrated New Testament
The man replied by asking Jesus to point the Son of Man out to him. He seemed ready to believe in Him and evidently thought that Jesus would identify his healer. "Lord" (Gr. kyrie) means "Sir" in this context. Again someone spoke better than he knew since the man’s questioner was Lord in a larger sense than he first realized (cf. Joh 9:38).