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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>John 9:21 But how he can now see or who opened his eyes, we do not know. Ask him. He is old enough to speak for himself."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/9-21.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/2/43_Jhn_09_21.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 9:21 - The Pharisees Investigate the Healing" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But how he can now see or who opened his eyes, we do not know. Ask him. 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Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/john/9.htm">New Living Translation</a> but we don’t know how he can see or who healed him. Ask him. He is old enough to speak for himself.” <a href="/esv/john/9.htm">English Standard Version</a> But how he now sees we do not know, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself.” <a href="/bsb/john/9.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> But how he can now see or who opened his eyes, we do not know. Ask him. He is old enough to speak for himself.” <a href="/blb/john/9.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> But how he sees presently, we do not know; or who opened his eyes, we do not know. Ask him. He has age. He will speak concerning himself." <a href="/kjv/john/9.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/john/9.htm">New King James Version</a> but by what means he now sees we do not know, or who opened his eyes we do not know. He is of age; ask him. He will speak for himself.” <a href="/nasb_/john/9.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> but how he now sees, we do not know; or who opened his eyes, we do not know. Ask him; he is of age, he will speak for himself.” <a href="/nasb/john/9.htm">NASB 1995</a> but how he now sees, we do not know; or who opened his eyes, we do not know. Ask him; he is of age, he will speak for himself.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/john/9.htm">NASB 1977 </a> but how he now sees, we do not know; or who opened his eyes, we do not know. Ask him; he is of age, he shall speak for himself.” <a href="/lsb/john/9.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> but how he now sees, we do not know; or who opened his eyes, we do not know. Ask him; he is of age, he will speak for himself.” <a href="/amp/john/9.htm">Amplified Bible</a> but as to how he now sees, we do not know; or who has opened his eyes, we do not know. Ask him [and stop asking us]; he is of age, he will speak for himself and give his own account of it.” <a href="/csb/john/9.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> “But we don’t know how he now sees, and we don’t know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he’s of age. He will speak for himself.” <a href="/hcsb/john/9.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> But we don&#8217t know how he now sees, and we don&#8217t know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he&#8217s of age. He will speak for himself.&#8221 <a href="/asv/john/9.htm">American Standard Version</a> but how he now seeth, we know not; or who opened his eyes, we know not: ask him; he is of age; he shall speak for himself. <a href="/cev/john/9.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> 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." <a href="/erv/john/9.htm">English Revised Version</a> but how he now seeth, we know not; or who opened his eyes, we know not: ask him; he is of age; he shall speak for himself. <a href="/gwt/john/9.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> But we don't know how he got his sight or who gave it to him. You'll have to ask him. He's old enough to answer for himself." <a href="/gnt/john/9.htm">Good News Translation</a> But we do not know how it is that he is now able to see, nor do we know who cured him of his blindness. Ask him; he is old enough, and he can answer for himself!" <a href="/isv/john/9.htm">International Standard Version</a> But we don't know how it is that he now sees, and we don't know who opened his eyes. Ask him. He is of age and can speak for himself." <a href="/msb/john/9.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> But how he can now see or who opened his eyes, we do not know. Ask him. He is old enough to speak for himself.? <a href="/net/john/9.htm">NET Bible</a> But we do not know how he is now able to see, nor do we know who caused him to see. Ask him, he is a mature adult. He will speak for himself." <a href="/nheb/john/9.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> but how he now sees, we do not know; or who opened his eyes, we do not know. He is of age. Ask him. He will speak for himself." <a href="/wbt/john/9.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> 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 will speak for himself. <a href="/wey/john/9.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> but how it is that he can now see or who has opened his eyes we do not know. Ask him himself; he is of full age; he himself will give his own account of it." <a href="/web/john/9.htm">World English Bible</a> but how he now sees, we don’t know; or who opened his eyes, we don’t know. He is of age. Ask him. He will speak for himself.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/john/9.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and how he now sees, we have not known; or who opened his eyes, we have not known; he is of age, ask him; he himself will speak concerning himself.” <a href="/blb/john/9.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> But how he sees presently, we do not know; or who opened his eyes, we do not know. Ask him. He has age. He will speak concerning himself." <a href="/ylt/john/9.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and how he now seeth, we have not known; or who opened his eyes, we have not known; himself is of age, ask him; he himself shall speak concerning himself.' <a href="/slt/john/9.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> But how he now sees, we know not; or who opened his eyes, we know not: he has age; ask him: he shall speak for himself.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/john/9.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> But how he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: ask himself: he is of age, let him speak for himself. <a href="/cpdv/john/9.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> But how it is that he now sees, we do not know. And who opened his eyes, we do not know. Ask him. He is old enough. Let him speak for himself.” <a href="/nabre/john/9.htm">New American Bible</a> We do not know how he sees now, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him, he is of age; he can speak for himself.” <a href="/nrsvce/john/9.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> but we do not know how it is that now he sees, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/john/9.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> But how he sees now, or who opened his eyes, we do not know; he is of age, ask him, he will speak for himself. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/9.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> “But how he sees now or who he is that opened his eyes for him we do not know. He has come of age, ask him, for he shall speak for himself.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/john/9.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> but how he now sees we know not; or who opened his eyes we know not. He is of age; ask him; he will speak for himself.<CM> <a href="/godbey/john/9.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> but how he now sees, we know not; nor who opened his eyes, we know not: ask him; he has majority; he will speak for himself. <a href="/haweis/john/9.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> but how he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he himself will tell you about it. <a href="/mace/john/9.htm">Mace New Testament</a> but by what means it was that he now sees, that we know not; or who made him see, we know not: he is of age, ask him, he will answer for himself. <a href="/wey/john/9.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> but how it is that he can now see or who has opened his eyes we do not know. Ask him himself; he is of full age; he himself will give his own account of it." <a href="/worrell/john/9.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> but how he now sees, we do not know. Ask him; he is of age; he will speak for himself." <a href="/worsley/john/9.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> but how it is that he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age, ask him; he can speak for himself. <a href="/parallel/john/9-21.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixy2bchmXZ0?start=3366" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/john/9.htm">The Pharisees Investigate the Healing</a> …20His parents answered, “We know he is our son, and we know he was born blind. 21<a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">But</a> <a href="/greek/4459.htm" title="4459: pōs (Adv) -- Adverb from the base of pou; an interrogative particle of manner; in what way?; also as exclamation, how much!">how</a> <a href="/greek/991.htm" title="991: blepei (V-PIA-3S) -- (primarily physical), I look, see, perceive, discern. A primary verb; to look at.">he can now see</a> <a href="/greek/3568.htm" title="3568: nyn (Adv) -- A primary particle of present time; now; also as noun or adjective present or immediate."></a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ouk (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not."></a> <a href="/greek/1492.htm" title="1492: oidamen (V-RIA-1P) -- To know, remember, appreciate. "></a> <a href="/greek/2228.htm" title="2228: ē (Conj) -- Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.">or</a> <a href="/greek/5101.htm" title="5101: tis (IPro-NMS) -- Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.">who</a> <a href="/greek/455.htm" title="455: ēnoixen (V-AIA-3S) -- To open. From ana and oigo; to open up.">opened</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autou (PPro-GM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">his</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tous (Art-AMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3788.htm" title="3788: ophthalmous (N-AMP) -- The eye; fig: the mind's eye. From optanomai; the eye; by implication, vision; figuratively, envy.">eyes,</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: hēmeis (PPro-N1P) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">we</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ouk (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.">do not</a> <a href="/greek/1492.htm" title="1492: oidamen (V-RIA-1P) -- To know, remember, appreciate. ">know.</a> <a href="/greek/2065.htm" title="2065: erōtēsate (V-AMA-2P) -- Apparently from ereo; to interrogate; by implication, to request.">Ask</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: auton (PPro-AM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">him.</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autos (PPro-NM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">He</a> <a href="/greek/2192.htm" title="2192: echei (V-PIA-3S) -- To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.">is</a> <a href="/greek/2244.htm" title="2244: hēlikian (N-AFS) -- Age, term of life; full age, maturity; stature. From the same as helikos; maturity.">old enough</a> <a href="/greek/2980.htm" title="2980: lalēsei (V-FIA-3S) -- A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words.">to speak</a> <a href="/greek/4012.htm" title="4012: peri (Prep) -- From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.">for</a> <a href="/greek/1438.htm" title="1438: heautou (RefPro-GM3S) -- Himself, herself, itself. ">himself.”</a> 22His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews. For the Jews had already determined that anyone who confessed Jesus as the Christ would be put out of the synagogue.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/john/5-12.htm">John 5:12-13</a> “Who is this man who told you to pick it up and walk?” they asked. / But the man who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had slipped away while the crowd was there. <a href="/john/7-13.htm">John 7:13</a> Yet no one would speak publicly about Him for fear of the Jews. <a href="/john/8-14.htm">John 8:14</a> Jesus replied, “Even if I testify about Myself, My testimony is valid, because I know where I came from and where I am going. But you do not know where I came from or where I am going. <a href="/john/12-42.htm">John 12:42</a> Nevertheless, many of the leaders believed in Him. But because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue. <a href="/john/19-38.htm">John 19:38</a> Afterward, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus (but secretly for fear of the Jews), asked Pilate to let him remove the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission, so he came and removed His body. <a href="/matthew/21-23.htm">Matthew 21:23-27</a> When Jesus returned to the temple courts and began to teach, the chief priests and elders of the people came up to Him. “By what authority are You doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave You this authority?” / “I will also ask you one question,” Jesus replied, “and if you answer Me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. / What was the source of John’s baptism? Was it from heaven or from men?” They deliberated among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will ask, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ ... <a href="/mark/11-28.htm">Mark 11:28-33</a> “By what authority are You doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave You the authority to do them?” / “I will ask you one question,” Jesus replied, “and if you answer Me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. / John’s baptism—was it from heaven or from men? Answer Me!” ... <a href="/luke/20-2.htm">Luke 20:2-8</a> “Tell us,” they said, “by what authority are You doing these things, and who gave You this authority?” / “I will also ask you a question,” Jesus replied. “Tell Me: / John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or from men?” ... <a href="/acts/4-16.htm">Acts 4:16-21</a> “What shall we do with these men?” they asked. “It is clear to everyone living in Jerusalem that a remarkable miracle has occurred through them, and we cannot deny it. / But to keep this message from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them not to speak to anyone in this name.” / Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. ... <a href="/acts/5-28.htm">Acts 5:28-29</a> “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us responsible for this man’s blood.” / But Peter and the other apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men. <a href="/acts/24-14.htm">Acts 24:14-16</a> I do confess to you, however, that I worship the God of our fathers according to the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, / and I have the same hope in God that they themselves cherish, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. / In this hope, I strive always to maintain a clear conscience before God and man. <a href="/1_peter/3-15.htm">1 Peter 3:15</a> But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you. But respond with gentleness and respect, <a href="/isaiah/42-7.htm">Isaiah 42:7</a> to open the eyes of the blind, to bring prisoners out of the dungeon and those sitting in darkness out from the prison house. <a href="/isaiah/35-5.htm">Isaiah 35:5</a> Then the eyes of the blind will be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. <a href="/isaiah/29-18.htm">Isaiah 29:18</a> On that day the deaf will hear the words of the scroll, and out of the deep darkness the eyes of the blind will see.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>But by what means he now sees, we know not; or who has opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/john/9-19.htm">Able</a> <a href="/john/9-17.htm">Account</a> <a href="/john/8-51.htm">Age</a> <a href="/john/6-26.htm">Enough</a> <a href="/john/9-18.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/john/8-56.htm">Full</a> <a href="/john/9-7.htm">Means</a> <a href="/john/9-15.htm">Open</a> <a href="/john/9-17.htm">Opened</a> <a href="/john/9-19.htm">Question</a> <a href="/john/8-46.htm">Speak</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/9-33.htm">Able</a> <a href="/john/9-23.htm">Account</a> <a href="/john/9-23.htm">Age</a> <a href="/john/9-23.htm">Enough</a> <a href="/john/9-26.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/john/9-23.htm">Full</a> <a href="/john/10-5.htm">Means</a> <a href="/john/9-26.htm">Open</a> <a href="/john/9-26.htm">Opened</a> <a href="/john/9-23.htm">Question</a> <a href="/john/10-25.htm">Speak</a><div class="vheading2">John 9</div>1. <a href="/john/9-1.htm">The man born blind is restored to sight.</a> 8. <a href="/john/9-8.htm">He is brought to the Pharisees.</a> 13. <a href="/john/9-13.htm">They are offended at it;</a> 35. <a href="/john/9-35.htm">but he is received of Jesus, and confesses him.</a> 39. <a href="/john/9-39.htm">Who they are whom Jesus enlightens.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/9.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/john/9.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>But how he can now see or who opened his eyes, we do not know. This phrase reflects the parents' response to the Pharisees' inquiry about their son's healing. The context is a miracle performed by Jesus, where He healed a man born blind (<a href="/john/9.htm">John 9:1-12</a>). The parents' statement indicates their fear of the Jewish leaders, who had already decided that anyone acknowledging Jesus as the Messiah would be expelled from the synagogue (<a href="/john/9-22.htm">John 9:22</a>). This fear of excommunication highlights the social and religious pressures of the time, where being cast out of the synagogue meant losing community and social standing. The miracle itself is a fulfillment of messianic prophecies, such as <a href="/isaiah/35-5.htm">Isaiah 35:5</a>, which speaks of the eyes of the blind being opened, pointing to Jesus as the promised Messiah.Ask him. The parents deflect responsibility back to their son, suggesting that he is capable of providing his own testimony. This reflects the legal practices of the time, where individuals were expected to testify on their own behalf. It also underscores the parents' desire to avoid conflict with the religious authorities. The act of asking the healed man directly is consistent with Jewish legal procedures, where witnesses were called to confirm events. This also emphasizes the personal nature of faith and testimony, as each individual must encounter and respond to Jesus personally.He is old enough to speak for himself.” This phrase indicates that the man was of age, meaning he was at least thirteen years old, the age of legal responsibility in Jewish culture. This age allowed him to be a credible witness in legal matters. The parents' insistence on their son's ability to speak for himself further distances them from the controversy surrounding Jesus' miracle. It also highlights the importance of personal testimony in the Gospel of John, where individual encounters with Jesus lead to personal declarations of faith. The healed man's forthcoming testimony (<a href="/john/9-25.htm">John 9:25</a>) becomes a powerful witness to Jesus' divine authority and the transformative power of His miracles.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/t/the_blind_man.htm">The Blind Man</a> A man who was born blind and received his sight through Jesus' miraculous healing. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_parents.htm">The Parents</a> The parents of the man born blind, who are questioned by the Pharisees about their son's healing. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_pharisees.htm">The Pharisees</a> Jewish religious leaders who are skeptical of Jesus and investigate the healing. 4. <a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus</a> The central figure of the Gospel, who performs the miracle of healing the blind man. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_synagogue.htm">The Synagogue</a> The place where the investigation by the Pharisees takes place, representing religious authority.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/c/courage_in_testimony.htm">Courage in Testimony</a> The parents' reluctance to speak openly about Jesus highlights the importance of courage in sharing our faith, even when faced with opposition. <a href="/topical/p/personal_responsibility.htm">Personal Responsibility</a> The statement "He is old enough to speak for himself" emphasizes the importance of personal responsibility in one's spiritual journey and testimony. <a href="/topical/f/fear_of_man_vs._fear_of_god.htm">Fear of Man vs. Fear of God</a> The parents' fear of the Pharisees contrasts with the call to fear God above human authority, as seen in other scriptural examples. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_parents_in_faith.htm">The Role of Parents in Faith</a> While the parents distanced themselves from their son's testimony, it reminds us of the role parents play in nurturing and supporting the faith of their children. <a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_jesus'_miracles.htm">The Power of Jesus' Miracles</a> This event underscores the divine authority of Jesus and His fulfillment of Messianic prophecies, encouraging believers to trust in His power.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_john_9.htm">Top 10 Lessons from John 9</a> <a href="/q/how_does_psalm_146_8_align_with_science.htm">In Psalm 146:8, how does God's claimed power to heal blindness align with documented medical science?</a> <a href="/q/is_there_evidence_for_john_9_18-23.htm">In John 9:18-23, is there any historical or external evidence that confirms the parents' testimony?</a> <a href="/q/why_is_the_crowd_unsure_about_the_man.htm">In John 9:8-9, why does the crowd seem uncertain about recognizing the healed man?</a> <a href="/q/how_many_wives_did_abraham_have.htm">What does the Bible say about seeing spirits and demons?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/john/9.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(21) But by what means he now seeth.--Better, but how he now seeth. The answer is in the exact words of the question, which is not seen in our version. They will not pass beyond the plain matters of fact of which they were certain.Or who hath opened his eyes.--They pass here to a fourth question, which was not asked, but which they see to be the real point which the Pharisees are aiming at, and in which they have determined not to be entangled.He is of age, ask him.--The better reading here is probably that which places "ask him" first; ask him, he is of age. The Received text has been influenced by <a href="/john/9-23.htm" title="Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him.">John 9:23</a>. The Greek expresses with the fullest emphasis, which it is not easy to preserve in English, that they intend to have nothing to do with this third question, but to leave it to their son to answer. Literally, it is, Ask him; he is of full age; he himself will speak concerning himself.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/9.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 21. - The third question is prudently remitted back to the consciousness and testimony of the man himself. The parents had some justification for their cowardice. They had no information beyond that which their son had given them. He had stumbled forth as usual on the morning of that sabbath, and bad returned home in transports of joy. Their son had doubtless told them the story (the use of οἴδαμεν instead of γινώσκομεν is significant). They knew by incontestable intuitive knowledge the personality and lifelong affliction of their son; but, say they, We do not know (absolutely) how he now sees; or who opened his eyes, we know not. Ask him (if you want to know); he is of full age, and therefore his testimony is valid in your court. He will speak (concerning) for himself. "We can only come to know from his testimony what he tells us, and he can himself speak for himself, and tell you all he has told us." <a href="/commentaries/john/9-21.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>But δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. how πῶς (pōs) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_4459.htm">Strong's 4459: </a> Adverb from the base of pou; an interrogative particle of manner; in what way?; also as exclamation, how much! he can now see βλέπει (blepei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_991.htm">Strong's 991: </a> (primarily physical), I look, see, perceive, discern. A primary verb; to look at. or ἢ (ē) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2228.htm">Strong's 2228: </a> Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than. who τίς (tis) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5101.htm">Strong's 5101: </a> Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what. opened ἤνοιξεν (ēnoixen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_455.htm">Strong's 455: </a> To open. From ana and oigo; to open up. his αὐτοῦ (autou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. eyes, ὀφθαλμοὺς (ophthalmous) Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3788.htm">Strong's 3788: </a> The eye; fig: the mind's eye. From optanomai; the eye; by implication, vision; figuratively, envy. we ἡμεῖς (hēmeis) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. {do} not οὐκ (ouk) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3756.htm">Strong's 3756: </a> No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not. know. οἴδαμεν (oidamen) Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1492.htm">Strong's 1492: </a> To know, remember, appreciate. Ask ἐρωτήσατε (erōtēsate) Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2065.htm">Strong's 2065: </a> Apparently from ereo; to interrogate; by implication, to request. him. αὐτὸν (auton) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. He αὐτὸς (autos) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. is ἔχει (echei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2192.htm">Strong's 2192: </a> To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold. old enough ἡλικίαν (hēlikian) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2244.htm">Strong's 2244: </a> Age, term of life; full age, maturity; stature. From the same as helikos; maturity. to speak λαλήσει (lalēsei) Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2980.htm">Strong's 2980: </a> A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words. for περὶ (peri) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_4012.htm">Strong's 4012: </a> From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time. himself.” ἑαυτοῦ (heautou) Reflexive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1438.htm">Strong's 1438: </a> Himself, herself, itself. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/9-21.htm">John 9:21 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/john/9-21.htm">John 9:21 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/john/9-21.htm">John 9:21 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/john/9-21.htm">John 9:21 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/john/9-21.htm">John 9:21 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/john/9-21.htm">John 9:21 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/9-21.htm">John 9:21 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/9-21.htm">John 9:21 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/john/9-21.htm">John 9:21 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/john/9-21.htm">John 9:21 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/john/9-21.htm">NT Gospels: John 9:21 But how he now sees we don't (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/9-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 9:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 9:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/9-22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 9:22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 9:22" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>