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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 9:20 His parents answered, "We know he is our son, and we know he was born blind.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/9-20.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/43_Jhn_09_20.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 9:20 - The Pharisees Investigate the Healing" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="His parents answered, We know he is our son, and we know he was born blind." /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad20.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/john/9-19.htm" title="John 9:19">◄</a> John 9:20 <a href="/john/9-21.htm" title="John 9:21">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/john/9.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/john/9.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220We know he is our son,&#8221 the parents answered, &#8220and we know he was born blind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/john/9.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />His parents replied, “We know this is our son and that he was born blind,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/john/9.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />His parents answered, “We know that this is our son and that he was born blind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/john/9.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />His parents answered, “We know he is our son, and we know he was born blind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/john/9.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Therefore his parents answered and said, "We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/john/9.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/john/9.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />His parents answered them and said, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/john/9.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />His parents then answered and said, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/john/9.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />His parents answered them and said, &#8220We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/john/9.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />His parents answered them and said, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/john/9.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />So his parents answered and said, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/john/9.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />His parents answered, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/john/9.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“We know this is our son and that he was born blind,” his parents answered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/john/9.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />We know this is our son and that he was born blind,&#8221 his parents answered. &#8220<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/john/9.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />His parents answered and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/john/9.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The man's parents answered, "We are certain that he is our son, and we know that he was born blind. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/john/9.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />His parents answered and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/john/9.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />His parents replied, "We know that he's our son and that he was born blind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/john/9.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />His parents answered, "We know that he is our son, and we know that he was born blind. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/john/9.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />His parents replied, "We know that this is our son and that he was born blind. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/john/9.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />His parents answered, ?We know he is our son, and we know he was born blind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/john/9.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />So his parents replied, "We know that this is our son and that he was born blind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/john/9.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />His parents answered them, "We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/john/9.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/john/9.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"We know," replied the parents, "that this is our son and that he was born blind;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/john/9.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />His parents answered them, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/john/9.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />His parents answered them and said, “We have known that this is our son, and that he was born blind;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/john/9.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Therefore his parents answered and said, "We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/john/9.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> His parents answered them and said, 'We have known that this is our son, and that he was born blind;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/john/9.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind:<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/john/9.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />His parents answered them, and said: We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/john/9.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />His parents responded to them and said: “We know that this is our son and that he was born blind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/john/9.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />His parents answered and said, “We know that this is our son and that he was born blind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/john/9.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />His parents answered, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/john/9.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />His parents answered and said, We know that he is our son, and that he was born blind.<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 />But his parents answered and said, “We know that this is our son and that he was born blind;”<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/john/9.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />His parents answered them, and said: We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/john/9.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />Then his parents responded and said; We know that he is our son, and that he was born blind:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/john/9.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/john/9.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />his parents answered, that this is our son, and that he was born blind: we are very certain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/john/9.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"We know," replied the parents, "that this is our son and that he was born blind;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/john/9.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />His parents, therefore, answered and said, "We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/john/9.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />His parents answered them, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/john/9-20.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixy2bchmXZ0?start=3360" 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">The Pharisees Investigate the Healing</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">19</span>and asked, “Is this your son, the one you say was born blind? So how is it that he can now see?” <span class="reftext">20</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/3767.htm" title="3767: oun (Conj) -- Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly."></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: hoi (Art-NMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/1118.htm" title="1118: goneis (N-NMP) -- A begetter, father; plur: parents. From the base of ginomai; a parent.">parents</a> <a href="/greek/611.htm" title="611: Apekrithēsan (V-AIP-3P) -- From apo and krino; to conclude for oneself, i.e. to respond; by Hebraism to begin to speak.">answered,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/2036.htm" title="2036: eipan (V-AIA-3P) -- Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say."></a> <a href="/greek/1492.htm" title="1492: Oidamen (V-RIA-1P) -- To know, remember, appreciate. ">“We know</a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because."></a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: houtos (DPro-NMS) -- This; he, she, it. ">he</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">is</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: hēmōn (PPro-G1P) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">our</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/5207.htm" title="5207: huios (N-NMS) -- A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a son, used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship.">son,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.">we know</a> <a href="/greek/1080.htm" title="1080: egennēthē (V-AIP-3S) -- From a variation of genos; to procreate; figuratively, to regenerate.">he was born</a> <a href="/greek/5185.htm" title="5185: typhlos (Adj-NMS) -- Blind, physically or mentally. From, tuphoo; opaque, i.e. blind.">blind.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">21</span>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.”…<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="/john/8-14.htm">John 8:14</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/5-31.htm">John 5:31-32</a></span><br />If I testify about Myself, My testimony is not valid. / There is another who testifies about Me, and I know that His testimony about Me is valid.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/7-28.htm">John 7:28-29</a></span><br />Then Jesus, still teaching in the temple courts, cried out, “You know Me, and you know where I am from. I have not come of My own accord, but He who sent Me is true. You do not know Him, / but I know Him, because I am from Him and He sent Me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/3-11.htm">John 3:11</a></span><br />Truly, truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, and yet you people do not accept our testimony.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/1-19.htm">John 1:19-23</a></span><br />And this was John’s testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him, “Who are you?” / He did not refuse to confess, but openly declared, “I am not the Christ.” / “Then who are you?” they inquired. “Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/6-42.htm">John 6:42</a></span><br />They were asking, “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How then can He say, ‘I have come down from heaven?’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/7-15.htm">John 7:15-17</a></span><br />The Jews were amazed and asked, “How did this man attain such learning without having studied?” / “My teaching is not My own,” Jesus replied. “It comes from Him who sent Me. / If anyone desires to do His will, he will know whether My teaching is from God or whether I speak on My own.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/8-25.htm">John 8:25-26</a></span><br />“Who are You?” they asked. “Just what I have been telling you from the beginning,” Jesus replied. / “I have much to say about you and much to judge. But the One who sent Me is truthful, and what I have heard from Him, I tell the world.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/10-24.htm">John 10:24-25</a></span><br />So the Jews gathered around Him and demanded, “How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.” / “I already told you,” Jesus replied, “but you did not believe. The works I do in My Father’s name testify on My behalf.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/12-49.htm">John 12:49-50</a></span><br />I have not spoken on My own, but the Father who sent Me has commanded Me what to say and how to say it. / And I know that His command leads to eternal life. So I speak exactly what the Father has told Me to say.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/14-10.htm">John 14:10-11</a></span><br />Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me? The words I say to you, I do not speak on My own. Instead, it is the Father dwelling in Me, performing His works. / Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me—or at least believe on account of the works themselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/15-24.htm">John 15:24</a></span><br />If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have seen and hated both Me and My Father.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/18-19.htm">John 18:19-21</a></span><br />Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about His disciples and His teaching. / “I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus answered. “I always taught in the synagogues and at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. / Why are you asking Me? Ask those who heard My message. Surely they know what I said.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/11-3.htm">Matthew 11:3-5</a></span><br />to ask Him, “Are You the One who was to come, or should we look for someone else?” / Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: / The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/7-22.htm">Luke 7:22</a></span><br />So He replied, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind:</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/john/9-19.htm">Birth</a> <a href="/john/9-19.htm">Blind</a> <a href="/john/9-19.htm">Born</a> <a href="/john/9-18.htm">Mother</a> <a href="/john/9-18.htm">Parents</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/9-32.htm">Birth</a> <a href="/john/9-24.htm">Blind</a> <a href="/john/9-32.htm">Born</a> <a href="/john/19-25.htm">Mother</a> <a href="/john/9-22.htm">Parents</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 />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <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> <br /><br /> </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><b>His parents answered</b><br>In the context of <a href="/john/9.htm">John 9</a>, the parents of the man born blind are responding to the Pharisees' interrogation. This reflects the societal pressure and fear of excommunication from the synagogue, as the Jewish leaders had already decided that anyone who acknowledged Jesus as the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue (<a href="/john/9-22.htm">John 9:22</a>). The parents' cautious response highlights the tension between the emerging Christian faith and established Jewish authority.<p><b>We know he is our son</b><br>The parents affirm their relationship to the man, establishing their credibility as witnesses. This statement underscores the authenticity of the miracle, as they confirm the identity of the man who was healed. In Jewish culture, family lineage and identity were significant, often tied to one's social and religious standing. This acknowledgment also serves to validate the miraculous nature of the healing, as it confirms the man's lifelong condition.<p><b>and we know he was born blind</b><br>The parents attest to the fact that their son was born blind, emphasizing the miraculous nature of his healing. This detail is crucial because it rules out any possibility of a temporary or psychosomatic condition. The healing of congenital blindness was unprecedented, underscoring Jesus' divine authority and fulfilling messianic prophecies such as <a href="/isaiah/35-5.htm">Isaiah 35:5</a>, which speaks of the eyes of the blind being opened. This miracle serves as a type of spiritual enlightenment, illustrating Jesus as the Light of the World who brings spiritual sight to those in darkness.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_blind_man.htm">The Blind Man</a></b><br>A man who was born blind and healed by Jesus, serving as a testament to Jesus' divine power and authority.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_parents.htm">The Parents</a></b><br>The parents of the man born blind, who are questioned by the Pharisees about their son's healing.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_pharisees.htm">The Pharisees</a></b><br>Religious leaders who are skeptical of Jesus and seek to discredit His miracles.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus</a></b><br>The central figure of the Gospel, who performs the miracle of healing the blind man, demonstrating His divine nature.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The city where this event takes place, a significant location for many of Jesus' teachings and miracles.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_and_acknowledgment.htm">Faith and Acknowledgment</a></b><br>The parents acknowledge their son and his condition, but their fear of the Pharisees prevents them from fully acknowledging Jesus' role. We must be bold in acknowledging Christ's work in our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/fear_of_man_vs._fear_of_god.htm">Fear of Man vs. Fear of God</a></b><br>The parents' fear of the Pharisees highlights the struggle between fearing human authority and revering God. We are called to prioritize our reverence for God over the fear of human judgment.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_testimony.htm">The Role of Testimony</a></b><br>The parents' testimony about their son's condition is crucial. Our personal testimonies can be powerful tools for witnessing to others about God's work in our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_blindness.htm">Spiritual Blindness</a></b><br>The physical healing of the blind man symbolizes the spiritual sight that Jesus offers. We should seek to have our spiritual eyes opened to understand and follow God's truth.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/courage_in_witnessing.htm">Courage in Witnessing</a></b><br>Despite the pressure from authorities, the truth about Jesus' miracles cannot be denied. We should have the courage to stand firm in our faith and witness to the truth of Christ's power.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_john_9.htm">Top 10 Lessons from John 9</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/do_children_inherit_parents'_sins.htm">Are parents' sins inherited by their children?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/key_themes_in_john.htm">What are key themes in the Book of John?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_harsh_reaction_in_john_9_13-16.htm">In John 9:13–16, why would the Pharisees react so harshly if this account were verifiable? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><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 name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/john/9.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(20) <span class= "bld">We know that this is our son . . .</span>--The two earlier questions of matter of fact they can answer with certainty. They know, as none besides themselves can know, that he was their son, and they know the painful truth that he was born blind.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/9.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 20.</span> - To the first and second questions the parents give affirmative answers. The identification is complete, and the astounding quality of the cure is demonstrated. <span class="cmt_word">His parents</span> (<span class="accented">then</span>) <span class="accented"><span class="cmt_word"></span>answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind</span>. In none of the Gospels, and in no narrative of this Gospel, is more certain proof given of the reality of a perfectly inexplicable phenomenon. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/john/9-20.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">His</span><br /><span class="grk">αὐτοῦ</span> <span class="translit">(autou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">parents</span><br /><span class="grk">γονεῖς</span> <span class="translit">(goneis)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1118.htm">Strong's 1118: </a> </span><span class="str2">A begetter, father; plur: parents. From the base of ginomai; a parent.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">answered,</span><br /><span class="grk">Ἀπεκρίθησαν</span> <span class="translit">(Apekrithēsan)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_611.htm">Strong's 611: </a> </span><span class="str2">From apo and krino; to conclude for oneself, i.e. to respond; by Hebraism to begin to speak.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“We know</span><br /><span class="grk">Οἴδαμεν</span> <span class="translit">(Oidamen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1492.htm">Strong's 1492: </a> </span><span class="str2">To know, remember, appreciate. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">he</span><br /><span class="grk">οὗτός</span> <span class="translit">(houtos)</span><br /><span class="parse">Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> </span><span class="str2">This; he, she, it. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">is</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐστιν</span> <span class="translit">(estin)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<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">our</span><br /><span class="grk">ἡμῶν</span> <span class="translit">(hēmōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> </span><span class="str2">I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">son,</span><br /><span class="grk">υἱὸς</span> <span class="translit">(huios)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5207.htm">Strong's 5207: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a 'son', used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and</span><br /><span class="grk">καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">[we know]</span><br /><span class="grk">ὅτι</span> <span class="translit">(hoti)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3754.htm">Strong's 3754: </a> </span><span class="str2">Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he was born</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐγεννήθη</span> <span class="translit">(egennēthē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1080.htm">Strong's 1080: </a> </span><span class="str2">From a variation of genos; to procreate; figuratively, to regenerate.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">blind.</span><br /><span class="grk">τυφλὸς</span> <span class="translit">(typhlos)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular<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 /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/9-20.htm">John 9:20 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/john/9-20.htm">John 9:20 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/john/9-20.htm">John 9:20 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/john/9-20.htm">John 9:20 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/john/9-20.htm">John 9:20 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/john/9-20.htm">John 9:20 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/9-20.htm">John 9:20 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/9-20.htm">John 9:20 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/john/9-20.htm">John 9:20 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/john/9-20.htm">John 9:20 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/john/9-20.htm">NT Gospels: John 9:20 His parents answered them We know that (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/9-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 9:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 9:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/9-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 9:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 9:21" /></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>