John 9:8–12

In the rest of the parts of the Chapter we have the several effects and consequents that followed on this miracle. The first whereof (in this second part of the Chapter) is among his neighbours and acquaintance, to whom, it seems, he returned with much joy, when he found not Christ in the place where he left him; whereupon followeth their conference upon this matter, partly, among themselves, and partly, with the man himselfe. The conference contains the resolution of three questions. 1. Whether such a cure had been wrought, and whether this man who now saw, was the blind man, who sate and begged? This the neighbours cannot clearly resolve, but some assert it, others alleage that he is only like him, till he himselfe put it out of contraversie, verse 8, 9. 2. The second question is, concerning the way of his cure, which they propound for further satisfaction in the matter, verse 10. and he answereth verse 11. wherein he is able to give an account of Christs name, which he had learned either from Christ himselfe, or from some who had been witnesses of what Christ did, and had led him to the pool. 3. The third question is, concerning Christ the Authour of this cure; They desire to know where he is, and he cannot resolve them. v. 12.

From verse 8, 9. Learn, 1. The glory of Christs working for his people will not be gotten obscured, and it should be taken notice of by all, as they have occasion to see it; for, this miracle shines forth among the neighbours, who seeing the man, draw forth the knowledge of it by conferences and questions: and by their means, it becomes more publike. 2. The Lord may so order his dispensations, even toward them to whom he hath a purpose of good, as one crosse may draw on another, and many miseries may tryst together; That so they may have much exercise, he may make their deliverance the more conspicuous, and may make many mercies concurre in it; for, this man had not only been blind, but his blindnesse had driven him to sit and beg, that law concerning the poor, Deut. 15.4. not being carefully observed in these times of confusion and bondage, as appears also from Acts 3.2. and elsewhere. 3. Even the many disadvantages and miseries that trouble brings upon us, may contribute in due time, to make Christs glory more conspicuous in our help; for, that his blindnesse made him sit and beg. it contributed to make him more known, then if he had been the sonne of a great man kept in a corner; and this made the glory of the miracle to spread the faster. 4. When Christ lets forth proofes of his power and love upon any in their miseries, it will make so great and wonderful a change, that they who knew them before, may readily mistake, and hardly know them, their condition being so different from what it was; for, so appears in these neighbours, who differ in their judgements whether this was he that sate and begged, or, if he is like him only. 5. Such as have gotten proofes of Christs favour in mercy, will not be ashamed of their former miserable condition before they were helped; for, they will seek Christs glory, and not their own in their deliverance: Therefore, albeit this man having now occasion to change his beggerly condition, seeing he could labour for his livelyhood, might have let them continue in their uncertainties; yet he thinks no shame to professe, I am he, and so puts them out of doubt, that it is he who sate and begged.

From verse 10, 11. Learn, 1. It is not enough to take notice of any great work that is wrought, unlesse we also take notice of Christ the author, and the way and manner of working it; Therefore when they are assured, that a great change is wrought on him, they enquire further, how were thine eyes opened, or, how was thy sight given to thee? 2. These difficulties and impossibilities which men apprehend in deliverance from trouble, and which Satan makes use of to marre confidence, will but contribute to make Christs power and glory the more conspicuous; for, while they enquire, How were thine eyes opened? they do grant it was not an ordinary work, but worthy to be taken notice of, as being naturally impossible, that so Christs doing of it, might make their own eyes to be witnesses of his omnipotency, 3. Christ is the Author of any good that is done to miserable sinners; and it needs never be enquired who makes the blind to see, the sick to be whole, &c. for, it is Jesus who worketh all this: So much doth he clear, in answering their question, Jesus made doth and anointed mine eyes, &c. And albeit it be but a particular instance, yet it is a point of general verity. 4. Such as have but small acquaintance with Christ, should yet speak to his commendation, upon the fruits they have found of it, that so it may prove an earnest and pledge of more: Therefore, albeit Christ had made this miracle the first step of his acquaintance with the man, (as is not unusual with Christ to prevent his people, and begin acquaintance with especial favours) and so he can speak of him, but as a stranger little acquaint with him, but that he heard his name, a man that is called Jesus; Yet he speaks what he knows to his advantage, and so is afterward brought to know him bettter. 5. It is not enough, to set out the greatnesse of Christs work, unlesse also special notice be taken of all the weak and improbable means he employeth to bring it about; Therefore doth he so punctually relate all the circumstances of the miracle, he made clay, and anointed mine eyes, &c. to set out his glory in it the more.

From verse 12. Learn, 1. A sight of Christs glorious working should learn men to enquire after himselfe; for, so do they on this information; where is he, though in the issue they proved not so sincere. But when men get notice of Christs glory and working, they will either be allured to enquire for him, that they may seek him to enjoy him, as Cant. 5.9 — 16. with 6.1 or their malice will be irritate to seek him, to do him an ill office. 2. Ignorance of Christ, and concerning him, and where he is to be found, is no rarety even among them who have got much good of him; for, the man who was healed, as he took him but for a man, ver. 11. so he knoweth not where he is. 3. Such as are truely humble, will not be ashamed to confesse their ignorance; for, so doth he, They said unto him where is he? he said I know not. 4. Christ by his withdrawing and not staying for the mans returne, would teach, 1. That true humility is an enemy to ostentation, and to hunting after vain glory; for, to avoid this did he withdraw. 2. That Christ is not so much taken with the muddy affections, and ravishing admirations, which a recent mercy may produce, as he desires to have the sense of mercies solidly digested, to bring out solid and constant fruits; Therefore doth he avoid all the expressions of the mans affections, which readily he would have poured out, when he came from the pool, and doth not manifest himselfe to him till afterward, that he have more solidly digested it, and till he have yet more need of him.