John 9:13-33

Contemporary English Version

The Pharisees Try To Find Out What Happened

^13-14 The day when Jesus made the mud and healed the man was a Sabbath. So the people took the man to the Pharisees. ¹⁵ They asked him how he was able to see, and he answered, “Jesus made some mud and smeared it on my eyes. Then after I washed it off, I could see.”

¹⁶ Some of the Pharisees said, “This man Jesus doesn't come from God. If he did, he would not break the law of the Sabbath.”

Others asked, “How could someone who is a sinner work such a miracle?”^[a]

Since the Pharisees could not agree among themselves, ¹⁷ they asked the man, “What do you say about this one who healed your eyes?”

“He is a prophet!” the man told them.

¹⁸ But the Jewish leaders would not believe that the man had once been blind. They sent for his parents ¹⁹ and asked them, “Is this the son that you said was born blind? How can he now see?”

²⁰ The man's parents answered, “We are certain that he is our son, and we know that he was born blind. ²¹ But we don't know how he got his sight or who gave it to him. Ask him! He is old enough to speak for himself.”

^22-23 The man's parents said this because they were afraid of their leaders. The leaders had already agreed that no one was to have anything to do with anyone who said Jesus was the Messiah.

²⁴ The leaders called the man back and said, “Swear by God to tell the truth! We know that Jesus is a sinner.”

²⁵ The man replied, “I don't know if he is a sinner or not. All I know is that I used to be blind, but now I can see!”

²⁶ “What did he do to you?” they asked. “How did he heal your eyes?”

²⁷ The man answered, “I have already told you once, and you refused to listen. Why do you want me to tell you again? Do you also want to become his disciples?”

²⁸ The leaders insulted the man and said, “You are his follower! We are followers of Moses. ²⁹ We are sure God spoke to Moses, but we don't even know where Jesus comes from.”

³⁰ “How strange!” the man replied. “He healed my eyes, and yet you don't know where he comes from. ³¹ We know that God listens only to people who love and obey him. God doesn't listen to sinners. ³² And this is the first time in history anyone has ever given sight to someone born blind. ³³ Jesus could not do anything unless he came from God.”