John Chapters 9 & 10
You can also read these chapters with cross-references, Strong's Concordance lookups, and red-lettering for the words of Jesus here: http://sidnash.org/b/vAA .
Context for Chapter 9: In the previous chapter, "the scribes and Pharisees brought unto [Jesus] a woman taken in adultery..."( Jn8:3 ). They did this to trap Jesus, which didn't work. But this led to an argument between Jesus and the Jews, which ended with the Jews picking " up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by."( Jn8:59 ). Now, it appears that on the same day (Sabbath - Jn9:14 ), Jesus heals a blind man, which lead to more arguments...
John 9:1-7 And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? 3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. 4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. 6 When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, 7 And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.
- Another(see previous: Jn5:1-9) miracle that Jesus did on the Sabbath...
- John 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
- John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
- John 12:46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.
- Remember Jesus said that "He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.( Jn6:54 )" Then He explains that "It is the spirit who gives life. The flesh profits nothing." Then Jesus explains what "the spirit" is, when He said, "The words that I speak to you are spirit, and are life( Jn6:63 )." Then Peter adds that Jesus has "the words of eternal life( Jn6:68 )." And so, we must "eat" the words of Jesus. What does that mean? Just as we eat(assimilate) food to give life to our bodies, so we must assimilate(eat) the words(teachings) of Jesus that we may have "eternal life" and so that Jesus will "raise [us] up at the last day", as He promised in John 6. I think that is what Jesus meant when He said that "I am the light of the world." "whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness."
John 9:8-12 The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged? 9 Some said, This is he: others said, He is like him: but he said, I am he. 10 Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened? 11 He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight. 12 Then said they unto him, Where is he? He said, I know not.
John 9:13-16 They brought to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind. 14 And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes. 15 Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see. 16 Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man[Jesus] is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them.
- Matthew 12:11-12 He[Jesus] said to them, "What man is there among you, who has one sheep, and if this one falls into a pit on the Sabbath day, won't he grab on to it, and lift it out? 12 Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath day."
John 9:17-34 They say unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, that he hath opened thine eyes? He said, He is a prophet. 18 But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight. 19 And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? how then doth he now see? 20 His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind: 21 But by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself. 22 These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue. 23 Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him. 24 Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner. 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. 26 Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes? 27 He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples? 28 Then they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are Moses' disciples. 29 We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is. 30 “Why, that’s very strange!” the man replied. “He healed my eyes, and yet you don’t know where he comes from? 31 We know that God doesn’t listen to sinners, but he is ready to hear those who worship him and do his will. 32 Ever since the world began, no one has been able to open the eyes of someone born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he couldn’t have done it.” 34 They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.
John 9:35-38 Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? 36 He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? 37 And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. 38 And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.
- Many, like this man, believed in Jesus as the literal Son of God. Sadly, many others refused to believe. Jesus warned us of false christs, "For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many. (Mt24:5,24;Mk13:6,21,22;Lk21:8)
- Likewise today, the most prevalent false Christ has deceived the vast majority of Christians globally, for the trinitarian jesus is not the Jesus of the Bible. Rather it is someone else...
John 9:39-41 And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind. 40 And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also? 41 Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.
- Many today are blind to the Jesus of the Bible - the real Jesus. As we show them Jesus, gratefully, many are becoming believers. But woe to those who see and still won't believe in the "beloved", "only begotten Son" of the infinite Creator God, Father Jehovah.
Moving now to chapter 10, it appears that Jesus is continuing with the same conversation on that same Sabbath day in the synagogue in Jerusalem:
John 10:1-6 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. 4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. 6 This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.
- As we see below, Jesus likened Himself to "the door into the sheepfold" that we saw above in Jn10:1-2 . Jesus also likened the Jewish leaders to "a thief and a robber.", which did NOT enter by "the door". It appears that Jesus also likened His Father to "the porter". The lesson for us is that we must enter by "the door" if we wish to tend the porter's sheep. Those who, like the Jewish leaders of Christ's day, do not believe in the Jesus of the Bible are like "a thief and a robber." If we wish to minister to the Father's(the porter's) sheep, then we must enter by "the door into the sheepfold." What does that mean? We must minister to the Father's "sheep" according to the teachings of Jesus. That's why we must "eat"(assimilate) His words, remembering that Jesus speaks not His own words, but the words of His Father( Jn12:44-50 ).
John 10:7-9 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
- John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
- 1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God(see 1Cor8:4-7), and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
- It is only by Jesus that we enter into the sheepfold of Father Jehovah.
John 10:10-18 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep(we are the sheep of His pasture). 16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold(the Jewish nation): them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. 17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
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Where do the Words of Jesus Originate?
John12:48-50 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.
The words of Father God given through His "only begotten Son" are "the words of eternal life."
John 3:34-36 For he[Christ] whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. -John the baptist
The words of Father God are the "Spirit" given to Christ, without "measure".
John 10:19-21 There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings. 20 And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him? 21 Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?
- Much division in Christ's time as well as in ours. Some accept the Real Jesus who is the literal Son of God and some would rather serve a false jesus.
John 10:22-30 And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. 23 And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch. 24 Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. 25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. 26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. 30 I and my Father are one.
- Regarding "they shall never perish", consider that Lazarus was considered to be sleeping(by Jesus) after he died: John 11:11 ... Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. 12 Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. 13 Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. 14 Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.(end quote). So, death for the saved is like sleep. The final death is when all the wicked perish in the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:7-10)
John 10:31-34 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. 32 Jesus said, “At my Father’s direction I have done many good works. For which one are you going to stone me?” 33 They replied, “We’re stoning you not for any good work, but for blasphemy! You, a mere man, claim to be God.”(How is it that Jesus made Himself to be God?) 34 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?
- Now let's take a deeper look into the original languages of the Bible, regarding the word "god/God", as used by Jesus:
- John 10:34 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods[theh'-os (Greek)]? 35 If he called them gods[theh'-os (Greek)], unto whom the word of God[theh'-os (Greek)]came (and the scripture cannot be broken),
- Psalm 82:6 I said, Ye are gods[el-o-heem' (Hebrew)], And all of you sons of the Most High.
- Isaiah 41:23 Declare the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye are gods[el-o-heem' (Hebrew)]...
- Exodus 4:16 And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people; and it shall come to pass, that he shall be to thee a mouth, and thou shalt be to him as God[el-o-heem' (Hebrew)].
- Exodus 7:1 And Jehovah said unto Moses, See, I have made thee as God[el-o-heem' (Hebrew)] to Pharaoh; and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet.
- John 10:34 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods[theh'-os (Greek)]? 35 If he called them gods[theh'-os (Greek)], unto whom the word of God[theh'-os (Greek)]came (and the scripture cannot be broken),
- This short lesson should be a rebuke to those who teach that the Hebrew word, אֱלֹהִים ʼĕlôhîym (el-o-heem' ), is a reference to one group of three gods. It is not that at all. Rather, it is used in reference to both the true God and false gods, as well as reference to angels and to any human who has great authority. This is how the King James Version of the Bible translates this word => "angels, exceeding, God (gods)(-dess, -ly), (very) great, judges, mighty.", according to Strong's Concordance.
- The Greek word, θεός theós (theh'-os), which Jesus used, has a similar meaning. This is how the King James Version of the Bible translates this word => "exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward)", according to Strong's Concordance.
John 10:35-38 And you know that the Scriptures cannot be altered. So if those people who received God’s message were called ‘gods,’ 36 why do you call it blasphemy when I say, ‘I am the Son of God’? After all, the Father set me apart and sent me into the world. 37 Don’t believe me unless I carry out my Father’s work. 38 But if I do his work, believe in the evidence of the miraculous works I have done, even if you don’t believe me. Then you will know and understand that the Father is in me, and I am in the Father.”
John 10:39-42 Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand, 40 And went away again beyond Jordan into the place(wilderness - see Lk3:4-6;7:24-25;Mt3:1-3;mk1:2-4) where John at first baptized; and there he abode. 41 And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true. 42 And many believed on him there.
- ... and more and more are now believing the literal Divine Son of God, rather than the other Jesus - the creation of man.
Desiring to live by every word that comes from the mouth of Jehovah (Deut8:3; Matt4:4)
-Sid Nash: 03/23/2024. Latest version: http://sidnash.org/docs/John9-10.html