George Hutcheson
IN this Chapter we have the history of Christs curing of a blind man with some consequents that followed thereupon. It hath an immediate connexion with the doctrine contained in the former Chapter; and it seems that Christ coming out of the Temple to avoid the Jewes fury, Chap. 8. 58. did meet with the blind man beging on the Sabbath in the way that led to the Temple, ver. 8. 14. and therefore in the original, ver. 1 the same word, of passing by, is repeated from Chap. 8. 59 and Jesus is not named, but only it is said, as he passed by, as being a continued discourse with that Chap 8. 59. where he is named The Chapter may be taken up in these parts. 1. Christs miraculous healing of a blind man, to ver. 8. 2. The conference of the neighbours about this matter, partly, among themselves, and partly, with the man himselfe, from ver. 8. to 13. 3. The proceeding of the Pharisees upon it, among themselves, with the man, his Parents, and again with the man himselfe, till they excommunicate him, from ver. 13. to 35. 4. Christs comforting of the excommunicate man, by leading him up to the knowledge and faith of himselfe, ver. 35, 36, 37, 38. and by shewing that he hath the administration of judgement in his hand, for the comfort of humble sinners, and terrour of proud Pharisees, ver. 39. which he maintains against the exceptions of some of them, ver. 40, 41.
1 ANd as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.
The history of this miracle may be taken up in this order. 1. Christ the Physician and the distressed man meet together, ver. 1. 2. Christ conferres with his disciples about the Lords end in afflicting him, ver. 2, 3. and about the necessity of his curing him, and that presently, ver. 4, 5. 3. He works the miraculous cure, ver. 6, 7.
In this verse, it is recorded that Christ coming from the Temple, doth on the way perceive and take notice of this man, whose disease was naturally incureable. Whence learn, 1. Since the fall of Adam, mankinde is subject unto many miseries, and beside the Spiritual plagues, and common miseries following thereupon, it pleaseth the Lord to leave some exemplary effects thereof, to be documents unto all; As here there is a man blinde from his birth, which flowed from sinne as the fountaine cause and in-let, though Christ afterward denyeth, that Gods end in this affliction is to punish sinne. 2. Difficulties and diseases that are insuperable and incurable by the ordinary course of nature, are yet not impossible for Christ to help, but a meet object for him to magnifie his power on; Therefore it is marked, that he was blind from his birth, that so he may set out Christs power, who cured that blindnesse that by natural means was incurable. 3. When Christ and his followers are driven by persecution from their station and employment, they are but driven to their Christ; and the Lord, ordinarily, doth let persecutors drive them away, because he hath other employment for them, wherein they may do more good; Therefore when Christ is driven out from preaching in the Temple to malicious and violent enemies, an occasion of work and doing good is presently offered him, and he is thrust out, in Gods providence, that he may come and heal this man, who also doth afterward make better use of his doctrine then they did. 4. No heat of persecution, or personal danger, and no throng whatsoever, will hinder Christ to give an affectionate look to one of his own in misery; for, as he passed by, fleeing the fury of the Pharisees, he saw the man, and looked so earnestly and tenderly on him, that it occasioned the disciples question, ver. 2. Yea, it seems this mans misery (who afterward was converted to him) did so draw his eye to him, that he saw him, and took notice of none else that were on the way. 5. Albeit Christs people in their distresse may be blinde, and cannot see him, yet he seeth them, and his seeing of them will move him to pity, so much the more as they see not: Therefore is it marked that he saw and took special notice of a man which was blind.
