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John 9:41 "If you were blind," Jesus replied, "you would not be guilty of sin. But since you claim you can see, your guilt remains."
<!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 9:41 "If you were blind," Jesus replied, "you would not be guilty of sin. But since you claim you can see, your guilt remains."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/9-41.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/43_Jhn_09_41.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 9:41 - Spiritual Blindness" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="If you were blind, Jesus replied, you would not be guilty of sin. 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But since you claim you can see, your guilt remains.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/john/9.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Jesus said to them, "If you were blind, you would have no sin. But since you say, 'We see,' your sin remains."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/john/9.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/john/9.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, ‘We see.’ Therefore your sin remains.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/john/9.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now <i>that</i> you maintain, ‘We see,’ your sin remains.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/john/9.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but since you say, ‘We see,’ your sin remains.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/john/9.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but since you say, ‘We see,’ your sin remains.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/john/9.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now <i>that</i> you say, ‘We see,’ your sin remains.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/john/9.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Jesus said to them, “If you were blind [to spiritual things], you would have no sin [and would not be blamed for your unbelief]; but since you claim to have [spiritual] sight, [you have no excuse so] your sin <i>and</i> guilt remain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/john/9.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“If you were blind,” Jesus told them, “you wouldn’t have sin. But now that you say, ‘We see,’ your sin remains.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/john/9.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“If you were blind,” Jesus told them, “you wouldn’t have sin. But now that you say, We see—your sin remains. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/john/9.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye would have no sin: but now ye say, We see: your sin remaineth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/john/9.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Jesus answered, "If you were blind, you would not be guilty. But now that you claim to see, you will keep on being guilty." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/john/9.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye would have no sin: but now ye say, We see: your sin remaineth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/john/9.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Jesus told them, "If you were blind, you wouldn't be sinners. But now you say, 'We see,' so you continue to be sinners.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/john/9.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Jesus answered, "If you were blind, then you would not be guilty; but since you claim that you can see, this means that you are still guilty." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/john/9.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Jesus told them, "If you were blind, you would not have any sin. But now that you insist, 'We see,' your sin still exists."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/john/9.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />“If you were blind,” Jesus replied, “you would not be guilty of sin. But since you claim you can see, your guilt remains.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/john/9.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Jesus replied, "If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin, but now because you claim that you can see, your guilt remains." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/john/9.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Jesus said to them, "If you were blind, you would have no sin; but since you say, 'We see,' your sin remains.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/john/9.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Jesus said to them, If ye were blind, ye would have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/john/9.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"If you were blind," answered Jesus, "you would have no sin; but as a matter of fact you boast that you see. So your sin remains!"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/john/9.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, ‘We see.’ Therefore your sin remains. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/john/9.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you were not having had sin, but now you say—We see, therefore your sin remains.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/john/9.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Jesus said to them, "If you were blind, you would have no sin. But since you say, 'We see,' your sin remains."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/john/9.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Jesus said to them, 'If ye were blind, ye were not having had sin, but now ye say -- We see, therefore doth your sin remain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/john/9.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />We are not also blind? Jesus said to them If ye were blind, ye had not sinned: and now ye say, That we see; therefore your sin remains.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/john/9.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Jesus said to them: If you were blind, you should not have sin: but now you say: We see. Your sin remaineth. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/john/9.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Jesus said to them: “If you were blind, you would not have sin. Yet now you say, ‘We see.’ So your sin persists.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/john/9.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you are saying, ‘We see,’ so your sin remains.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/john/9.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would not have sin. But now that you say, ‘We see,’ your sin remains.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/john/9.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Jesus said to them, If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, We see; because of this your sin remains.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/9.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />Yeshua said to them, “If you were blind, you would not have sin, but now you say, 'We see.' Because of this, your sin stands.” <div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/john/9.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />Jesus said to them: If you were blind, you would not have sin; but now you say, We see; therefore your sin remains.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/john/9.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />Jesus said to them, <FR>If you were blind you would not have sin: but now you say that, We see: your sin remaineth.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/john/9.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />Jesus said to them, If ye were blind, ye should not have had sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin is permanent.<CM><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/john/9.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />Jesus said to them, if you were blind, you would be excusable; but since you own that you see, you stand convicted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/john/9.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"If you were blind," answered Jesus, "you would have no sin; but as a matter of fact you boast that you see. So your sin remains!"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/john/9.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />Jesus said to them, <FR>"If ye were blind, ye would have no sin; but now ye say, 'We see,' your sin abides."<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/john/9.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />Jesus replied, <FR>If ye were blind, ye would not have sin: but now ye say, We see; your sin therefore remaineth.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/john/9-41.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixy2bchmXZ0?start=3519" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/john/9.htm">Spiritual Blindness</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">40</span>Some of the Pharisees who were with Him heard this, and they asked Him, “Are we blind too?” <span class="reftext">41</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1487.htm" title="1487: Ei (Conj) -- If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.">“If</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: ēte (V-IIA-2P) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">you were</a> <a href="/greek/5185.htm" title="5185: typhloi (Adj-NMP) -- Blind, physically or mentally. From, tuphoo; opaque, i.e. blind.">blind,” </a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2424.htm" title="2424: Iēsous (N-NMS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.">Jesus</a> <a href="/greek/2036.htm" title="2036: Eipen (V-AIA-3S) -- Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.">replied,</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autois (PPro-DM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons."></a> <a href="/greek/302.htm" title="302: an (Prtcl) -- A primary particle, denoting a supposition, wish, possibility or uncertainty."></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/2192.htm" title="2192: eichete (V-IIA-2P) -- To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.">“you would not be</a> <a href="/greek/266.htm" title="266: hamartian (N-AFS) -- From hamartano; a sin.">guilty of sin.</a> <a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">But</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.">since</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legete (V-PIA-2P) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">you claim</a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because."></a> <a href="/greek/991.htm" title="991: Blepomen (V-PIA-1P) -- (primarily physical), I look, see, perceive, discern. A primary verb; to look at.">you can see,</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymōn (PPro-G2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">your</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hē (Art-NFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/266.htm" title="266: hamartia (N-NFS) -- From hamartano; a sin.">guilt</a> <a href="/greek/3306.htm" title="3306: menei (V-PIA-3S) -- To remain, abide, stay, wait; with acc: I wait for, await. A primary verb; to stay.">remains.” </a> </span><div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/13-13.htm">Matthew 13:13-15</a></span><br />This is why I speak to them in parables: ‘Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.’ / In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. / For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/6-9.htm">Isaiah 6:9-10</a></span><br />And He replied: “Go and tell this people, ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ / Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-20.htm">Romans 1:20-21</a></span><br />For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse. / For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/1-8.htm">1 John 1:8-10</a></span><br />If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. / If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. / If we say we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar, and His word is not in us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/26-12.htm">Proverbs 26:12</a></span><br />Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/15-14.htm">Matthew 15:14</a></span><br />Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/4-3.htm">2 Corinthians 4:3-4</a></span><br />And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. / The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/5-21.htm">Jeremiah 5:21</a></span><br />“Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/11-34.htm">Luke 11:34-36</a></span><br />Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are good, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are bad, your body is full of darkness. / Be careful, then, that the light within you is not darkness. / So if your whole body is full of light, with no part of it in darkness, you will be radiant, as though a lamp were shining on you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/12-2.htm">Ezekiel 12:2</a></span><br />“Son of man, you are living in a rebellious house. They have eyes to see but do not see, and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/3-19.htm">John 3:19-21</a></span><br />And this is the verdict: The Light has come into the world, but men loved the darkness rather than the Light because their deeds were evil. / Everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come into the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. / But whoever practices the truth comes into the Light, so that it may be seen clearly that what he has done has been accomplished in God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-16.htm">Matthew 23:16-17</a></span><br />Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’ / You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes it sacred?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/42-18.htm">Isaiah 42:18-20</a></span><br />Listen, you deaf ones; look, you blind ones, that you may see! / Who is blind but My servant, or deaf like the messenger I am sending? Who is blind like My covenant partner, or blind like the servant of the LORD? / Though seeing many things, you do not keep watch. Though your ears are open, you do not hear.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/2-14.htm">1 Corinthians 2:14</a></span><br />The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/4-6.htm">Hosea 4:6</a></span><br />My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you as My priests. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Jesus said to them, If you were blind, you should have no sin: but now you say, We see; therefore your sin remains.</p><p class="hdg">If.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/15-22.htm">John 15:22-24</a></b></br> If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/26-12.htm">Proverbs 26:12</a></b></br> Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? <i>there is</i> more hope of a fool than of him.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/5-21.htm">Isaiah 5:21</a></b></br> Woe unto <i>them that are</i> wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/john/9-40.htm">Blind</a> <a href="/luke/16-15.htm">Boast</a> <a href="/john/8-54.htm">Claim</a> <a href="/john/9-37.htm">Fact</a> <a href="/luke/23-22.htm">Guilt</a> <a href="/john/8-46.htm">Guilty</a> <a href="/john/9-39.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/john/3-25.htm">Matter</a> <a href="/john/9-34.htm">Sin</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/10-21.htm">Blind</a> <a href="/romans/2-17.htm">Boast</a> <a href="/romans/2-17.htm">Claim</a> <a href="/john/10-5.htm">Fact</a> <a href="/john/16-8.htm">Guilt</a> <a href="/john/15-22.htm">Guilty</a> <a href="/john/10-6.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/john/18-36.htm">Matter</a> <a href="/john/15-22.htm">Sin</a><div class="vheading2">John 9</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/9-1.htm">The man born blind is restored to sight.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/9-8.htm">He is brought to the Pharisees.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/9-13.htm">They are offended at it;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">35. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/9-35.htm">but he is received of Jesus, and confesses him.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">39. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/john/9-39.htm">Who they are whom Jesus enlightens.</a></span><br></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><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "ca-pub-3753401421161123"; /* 200 x 200 Parallel Bible */ google_ad_slot = "7676643937"; google_ad_width = 200; google_ad_height = 200; //--> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/john/9.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>If you were blind</b><br />In this context, "blind" refers to spiritual blindness rather than physical. The Greek word used here is "τυφλοί" (typhloi), which can mean both physical and metaphorical blindness. Jesus is addressing the Pharisees, who prided themselves on their spiritual insight and knowledge of the law. The implication is that if they were truly unaware of their spiritual state, they would not be held accountable for their ignorance. This highlights the biblical principle that God judges based on the light one has received (<a href="/luke/12-48.htm">Luke 12:48</a>).<p><b>Jesus replied</b><br />The phrase indicates a direct response from Jesus, emphasizing His role as the authoritative teacher and the one who reveals truth. In the Gospel of John, Jesus often engages in dialogues that reveal deeper spiritual truths. His replies are not just answers but revelations of His divine wisdom and insight into human nature.<p><b>you would not be guilty of sin</b><br />The Greek word for "guilty" is "ἁμαρτίαν" (hamartian), which is often translated as "sin." Here, Jesus is making a profound statement about accountability. If the Pharisees were truly ignorant of their spiritual condition, they would not be held accountable for their sin. This reflects the biblical teaching that sin is not just an action but a state of being that requires awareness and repentance.<p><b>But since you claim you can see</b><br />The phrase "claim you can see" is a direct challenge to the Pharisees' self-perception. The Greek word for "see" is "βλέπετε" (blepete), which means to perceive or understand. The Pharisees believed they had spiritual insight, yet their rejection of Jesus showed their true blindness. This serves as a warning against spiritual pride and self-deception.<p><b>your guilt remains</b><br />The word "remains" is translated from the Greek "μένει" (menei), which means to stay or abide. Jesus is stating that because the Pharisees claim to have spiritual sight yet reject Him, their sin remains with them. This is a sobering reminder that knowledge without acceptance of Christ leads to judgment. The verse underscores the necessity of recognizing one's spiritual need and the danger of self-righteousness.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/john/9.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(41) <span class= "bld">If ye were blind, ye should have no sin.</span>--His answer is that He does not place them among those who are in this second sense blind. If they were among those "which see not" they would be conscious of their blindness, and would seek for spiritual light. They would ask, "Who is He, Lord, that we may believe on Him?" and would not ask in vain. In that case their present rejection of Him would arise from ignorance willing to be overcome, and this ignorance, not being wilful, would not be sin. Conscious ignorance would be the first step towards knowledge.<p><span class= "bld">But now ye say, We see.</span>--Their true place is among those who were spiritually blind, and were unconscious of it, "they which see," they which think they see." For them the first step towards true spiritual light must be a consciousness of blindness. As it is, as long as they think that they see, there is no ground for hope. (Comp. <a href="/context/matthew/9-12.htm" title="But when Jesus heard that, he said to them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.">Matthew 9:12-13</a>.)<p><span class= "bld">Therefore your sin remaineth.</span>--The word "therefore" should probably be omitted. The words "Your sin remaineth," or better, <span class= "ital">Your sin abideth</span> (comp. Note on <a href="/john/3-36.htm" title="He that believes on the Son has everlasting life: and he that believes not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God stays on him.">John 3:36</a>), stand alone in their awful solemnity. They stand side by side with "Ye say, We see." The two states are one. The assertion of spiritual knowledge and independence was the original cause of sin (<a href="/genesis/3-4.htm" title="And the serpent said to the woman, You shall not surely die:">Genesis 3:4</a>), and while spiritual pride exists sin cannot cease.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/9.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 41.</span> - The reply of our Lord is not meant to be a crushing and final retort, condemning them to hopeless night, but was obviously intended to show them that they are not yet free from <span class="accented">sin</span>, that they are only partially appreciating the light which shines upon them. <span class="cmt_word">If ye were blind</span> - incapable of sight; if ye had all along been deprived of the faculty of perceiving the true Light that shineth in the darkness (a condition of things which would have emancipated them from responsibility, and which Christ would not admit to be the case); perhaps more, if ye had been utterly blind to the light which is shining upon you now, which, however, is not true - <span class="cmt_word">ye would not have sin</span>. This is akin to the solemn language of <a href="/john/15-22.htm">John 15:22-24</a>. They did not themselves admit that there was any congenital blindness about them. They did not pretend or expect to ride off on such a <span class="greek">πρόφασις</span>, such an excuse. Could they be, judicially or naturally, blind? The very idea was an absurdity, and so Jesus added, <span class="cmt_word">But now ye say, We see.</span> You even boast that you are "instructors of the ignorant, and leaders of the blind; a light to those who sit in darkness, having the form of knowledge and truth in the Law" (<a href="/romans/2-17.htm">Romans 2:17-21</a>). You are the very opposite of the "not-seeing" (<span class="greek">μὴ βλέποντες</span>); you are self-satisfied; you will not come to the Light. What is the issue? The Lord seems to pause before his answer (the <span class="greek">οϋν</span>, "therefore," is rejected by the best manuscripts and critics): <span class="cmt_word">Your sin abideth</span>; or, <span class="accented">remaineth</span>. It will remain until you fully admit the great principle and reason, the motive and characteristics, of my mission. The very facility you profess, the intimacy you claim with the Law and its founder, and your partial knowledge of my claim, take away your excuse. The discourse which follows shows how entire must be the submission to Christ, how complete the union with him, of those who say, "We see." <p> <p> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/john/9-41.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">“If</span><br /><span class="grk">Εἰ</span> <span class="translit">(Ei)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1487.htm">Strong's 1487: </a> </span><span class="str2">If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you were</span><br /><span class="grk">ἦτε</span> <span class="translit">(ēte)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> </span><span class="str2">I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">blind,”</span><br /><span class="grk">τυφλοὶ</span> <span class="translit">(typhloi)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5185.htm">Strong's 5185: </a> </span><span class="str2">Blind, physically or mentally. From, tuphoo; opaque, i.e. blind.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Jesus</span><br /><span class="grk">Ἰησοῦς</span> <span class="translit">(Iēsous)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2424.htm">Strong's 2424: </a> </span><span class="str2">Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">replied,</span><br /><span class="grk">Εἶπεν</span> <span class="translit">(Eipen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2036.htm">Strong's 2036: </a> </span><span class="str2">Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“you would not be</span><br /><span class="grk">εἴχετε</span> <span class="translit">(eichete)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2192.htm">Strong's 2192: </a> </span><span class="str2">To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">guilty of sin.</span><br /><span class="grk">ἁμαρτίαν</span> <span class="translit">(hamartian)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_266.htm">Strong's 266: </a> </span><span class="str2">From hamartano; a sin.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">But</span><br /><span class="grk">δὲ</span> <span class="translit">(de)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary particle; but, and, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">since</span><br /><span class="grk">νῦν</span> <span class="translit">(nyn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3568.htm">Strong's 3568: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary particle of present time; 'now'; also as noun or adjective present or immediate.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you claim</span><br /><span class="grk">λέγετε</span> <span class="translit">(legete)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">[you] can see,</span><br /><span class="grk">Βλέπομεν</span> <span class="translit">(Blepomen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_991.htm">Strong's 991: </a> </span><span class="str2">(primarily physical), I look, see, perceive, discern. A primary verb; to look at.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your</span><br /><span class="grk">ὑμῶν</span> <span class="translit">(hymōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> </span><span class="str2">You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">guilt</span><br /><span class="grk">ἁμαρτία</span> <span class="translit">(hamartia)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_266.htm">Strong's 266: </a> </span><span class="str2">From hamartano; a sin.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">remains.”</span><br /><span class="grk">μένει</span> <span class="translit">(menei)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3306.htm">Strong's 3306: </a> </span><span class="str2">To remain, abide, stay, wait; with acc: I wait for, await. A primary verb; to stay.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/9-41.htm">John 9:41 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/john/9-41.htm">John 9:41 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/john/9-41.htm">John 9:41 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/john/9-41.htm">John 9:41 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/john/9-41.htm">John 9:41 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/john/9-41.htm">John 9:41 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/9-41.htm">John 9:41 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/9-41.htm">John 9:41 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/john/9-41.htm">John 9:41 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/john/9-41.htm">John 9:41 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/john/9-41.htm">NT Gospels: John 9:41 Jesus said to them If you were (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/9-40.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 9:40"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 9:40" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/10-1.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 10:1"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 10:1" /></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>