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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 9:31 We know that God does not listen to sinners, but He does listen to the one who worships Him and does His will.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/9-31.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/43_Jhn_09_31.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 9:31 - The Pharisees Investigate the Healing" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="We know that God does not listen to sinners, but He does listen to the one who worships Him and does His will." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/john/9-31.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/john/9-31.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/john/">John</a> > <a href="/john/9.htm">Chapter 9</a> > Verse 31</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad11.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/9-30.htm" title="John 9:30">◄</a> John 9:31 <a href="/john/9-32.htm" title="John 9:32">►</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">Verse<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"><a href="/niv/john/9.htm">New International Version</a> We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will. <a href="/nlt/john/9.htm">New Living Translation</a> We know that God doesn’t listen to sinners, but he is ready to hear those who worship him and do his will. <a href="/esv/john/9.htm">English Standard Version</a> We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him. <a href="/bsb/john/9.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> We know that God does not listen to sinners, but He does listen to the one who worships Him and does His will. <a href="/blb/john/9.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> We know that God does not hear sinners, but if anyone is God-fearing and does His will, He hears him. <a href="/kjv/john/9.htm">King James Bible</a> Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. <a href="/nkjv/john/9.htm">New King James Version</a> Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him. <a href="/nasb_/john/9.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> We know that God does not listen to sinners; but if someone is God-fearing and does His will, He listens to him. <a href="/nasb/john/9.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220We know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is God-fearing and does His will, He hears him. <a href="/nasb77/john/9.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “We know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is God-fearing, and does His will, He hears him. <a href="/lsb/john/9.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> We know that God does not listen to sinners; but if anyone is God-fearing and does His will, He listens to him. <a href="/amp/john/9.htm">Amplified Bible</a> We know [according to your tradition] that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone fears God and does His will, He hears him. <a href="/csb/john/9.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> We know that God doesn’t listen to sinners, but if anyone is God-fearing and does his will, he listens to him. <a href="/hcsb/john/9.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> We know that God doesn&#8217t listen to sinners, but if anyone is God-fearing and does His will, He listens to him. <a href="/asv/john/9.htm">American Standard Version</a> We know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and do his will, him he heareth. <a href="/cev/john/9.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> We know that God listens only to people who love and obey him. God doesn't listen to sinners. <a href="/erv/john/9.htm">English Revised Version</a> We know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and do his will, him he heareth. <a href="/gwt/john/9.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> We know that God doesn't listen to sinners. Instead, he listens to people who are devout and who do what he wants. <a href="/gnt/john/9.htm">Good News Translation</a> We know that God does not listen to sinners; he does listen to people who respect him and do what he wants them to do. <a href="/isv/john/9.htm">International Standard Version</a> We know that God doesn't listen to sinners, but he does listen to anyone who worships him and does his will. <a href="/msb/john/9.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> We know that God does not listen to sinners, but He does listen to the one who worships Him and does His will. <a href="/net/john/9.htm">NET Bible</a> We know that God doesn't listen to sinners, but if anyone is devout and does his will, God listens to him. <a href="/nheb/john/9.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshipper of God, and does his will, he listens to him. <a href="/wbt/john/9.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man is a worshiper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. <a href="/wey/john/9.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> We know that God does not listen to bad people, but that if any one is a God-fearing man and obeys Him, to him He listens. <a href="/web/john/9.htm">World English Bible</a> We know that God doesn’t listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, he listens to him. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/john/9.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And we have known that God does not hear sinners, but if anyone may be a worshiper of God, and may do His will, He hears him; <a href="/blb/john/9.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> We know that God does not hear sinners, but if anyone is God-fearing and does His will, He hears him. <a href="/ylt/john/9.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and we have known that God doth not hear sinners, but, if any one may be a worshipper of God, and may do His will, him He doth hear; <a href="/slt/john/9.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And we know that God hears not the sinful: but if any be godly, and do his will, this he hears.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/john/9.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Now we know that God doth not hear sinners: but if a man be a server of God, and doth his will, him he heareth. <a href="/cpdv/john/9.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And we know that God does not hear sinners. But if anyone is a worshipper of God and does his will, then he heeds him. <a href="/nabre/john/9.htm">New American Bible</a> We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if one is devout and does his will, he listens to him. <a href="/nrsvce/john/9.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> We know that God does not listen to sinners, but he does listen to one who worships him and obeys his will.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/john/9.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> We know that God does not hear the voice of sinners; but he hears the one who fears him and does his will. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/9.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> “But we know that God does not listen to the voice of a sinner, but listens to whoever worships him and does his will.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/john/9.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> We know that God hears not sinners; but if any one be a worshiper of God, and do his will, him he hears. <a href="/godbey/john/9.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> We know that God hears not sinners: but if any one may be a worshiper of God, and do His will, He hears him. <a href="/haweis/john/9.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Now we know that God doth not hearken to sinners: but if any man be a devout worshipper, and doeth his will, him he heareth. <a href="/mace/john/9.htm">Mace New Testament</a> now 'tis certain, that God does not countenance impostors: but regards him only that is religious, and executes his commands. <a href="/wey/john/9.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> We know that God does not listen to bad people, but that if any one is a God-fearing man and obeys Him, to him He listens. <a href="/worrell/john/9.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> We know that God heareth not sinners; but, if any one is a worshiper of God, and does His will, him He heareth. <a href="/worsley/john/9.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a servant of God, and do his will, him He heareth. <a href="/parallel/john/9-31.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=3450" 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> …30“That is remarkable indeed!” the man said. “You do not know where He is from, and yet He opened my eyes. 31<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.">that</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/2316.htm" title="2316: Theos (N-NMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">God</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/191.htm" title="191: akouei (V-PIA-3S) -- To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.">does not listen to</a> <a href="/greek/268.htm" title="268: hamartōlōn (Adj-GMP) -- Sinning, sinful, depraved, detestable. From hamartano; sinful, i.e. A sinner.">sinners,</a> <a href="/greek/235.htm" title="235: all’ (Conj) -- But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.">but</a> <a href="/greek/191.htm" title="191: akouei (V-PIA-3S) -- To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.">He does listen to</a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: toutou (DPro-GMS) -- This; he, she, it. ">the</a> <a href="/greek/1437.htm" title="1437: ean (Conj) -- If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/5100.htm" title="5100: tis (IPro-NMS) -- Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.">one who</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: ē (V-PSA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist."></a> <a href="/greek/2318.htm" title="2318: theosebēs (Adj-NMS) -- Devout, pious, God-fearing. From theos and sebomai; reverent of God, i.e. Pious.">worships Him</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/4160.htm" title="4160: poiē (V-PSA-3S) -- (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.">does</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: to (Art-ANS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2307.htm" title="2307: thelēma (N-ANS) -- An act of will, will; plur: wishes, desires. From the prolonged form of ethelo; a determination, i.e. choice or inclination.">will.</a> 32Never before has anyone heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind.…<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="/psalms/66-18.htm">Psalm 66:18</a> If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. <a href="/proverbs/15-29.htm">Proverbs 15:29</a> The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous. <a href="/isaiah/1-15.htm">Isaiah 1:15</a> When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you multiply your prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood. <a href="/isaiah/59-2.htm">Isaiah 59:2</a> But your iniquities have built barriers between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He does not hear. <a href="/psalms/34-15.htm">Psalm 34:15-16</a> The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their cry. / But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to wipe out all memory of them from the earth. <a href="/proverbs/28-9.htm">Proverbs 28:9</a> Whoever turns his ear away from hearing the law, even his prayer is detestable. <a href="/1_peter/3-12.htm">1 Peter 3:12</a> For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” <a href="/james/5-16.htm">James 5:16</a> Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail. <a href="/1_john/3-22.htm">1 John 3:22</a> and we will receive from Him whatever we ask, because we keep His commandments and do what is pleasing in His sight. <a href="/john/14-13.htm">John 14:13-14</a> And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. / If you ask Me for anything in My name, I will do it. <a href="/john/15-7.htm">John 15:7</a> If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. <a href="/john/15-16.htm">John 15:16</a> You did not choose Me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will remain—so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you. <a href="/john/16-23.htm">John 16:23-24</a> In that day you will no longer ask Me anything. Truly, truly, I tell you, whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you. / Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete. <a href="/matthew/7-7.htm">Matthew 7:7-8</a> Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. / For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. <a href="/matthew/21-22.htm">Matthew 21:22</a> If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Now we know that God hears not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and does his will, him he hears.we know.<a href="/job/27-8.htm">Job 27:8,9</a> For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul? … <a href="/job/35-12.htm">Job 35:12</a> There they cry, but none giveth answer, because of the pride of evil men.<a href="/job/42-8.htm">Job 42:8</a> Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job.if any.<a href="/psalms/34-15.htm">Psalm 34:15</a> The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.<a href="/proverbs/15-29.htm">Proverbs 15:29</a> The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.and doeth.<a href="/john/4-34.htm">John 4:34</a> Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.<a href="/john/7-17.htm">John 7:17</a> If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.<a href="/john/15-16.htm">John 15:16</a> Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.him.<a href="/john/11-41.htm">John 11:41,42</a> Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me… <a href="/genesis/18-23.htm">Genesis 18:23-33</a> And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? … <a href="/genesis/19-29.htm">Genesis 19:29</a> And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when he overthrew the cities in the which Lot dwelt.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/john/9-16.htm">Bad</a> <a href="/john/8-47.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/john/9-27.htm">Ears</a> <a href="/luke/2-26.htm">God-Fearing</a> <a href="/malachi/2-15.htm">Godly</a> <a href="/john/9-3.htm">God's</a> <a href="/john/9-27.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/john/8-47.htm">Heareth</a> <a href="/john/8-47.htm">Hears</a> <a href="/john/8-47.htm">Listens</a> <a href="/john/7-19.htm">Obeys</a> <a href="/john/8-44.htm">Pleasure</a> <a href="/luke/24-7.htm">Sinners</a> <a href="/hebrews/9-9.htm">Worshiper</a> <a href="/jonah/1-9.htm">Worshipper</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/acts/28-6.htm">Bad</a> <a href="/john/10-3.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/john/9-35.htm">Ears</a> <a href="/acts/2-5.htm">God-Fearing</a> <a href="/acts/8-2.htm">Godly</a> <a href="/john/10-35.htm">God's</a> <a href="/john/10-3.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/john/18-37.htm">Heareth</a> <a href="/john/12-47.htm">Hears</a> <a href="/john/12-47.htm">Listens</a> <a href="/john/14-21.htm">Obeys</a> <a href="/acts/13-22.htm">Pleasure</a> <a href="/romans/5-8.htm">Sinners</a> <a href="/hebrews/9-9.htm">Worshiper</a> <a href="/acts/16-14.htm">Worshipper</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>We know that God does not listen to sinners This phrase reflects a common belief in Jewish tradition that God does not heed the prayers of those who are in active rebellion against Him. In the Old Testament, passages such as <a href="/psalms/66-18.htm">Psalm 66:18</a> and <a href="/isaiah/59-2.htm">Isaiah 59:2</a> emphasize that sin creates a barrier between God and humanity. The context of <a href="/john/9.htm">John 9</a> is the healing of the man born blind, and this statement is made by the man himself, who is addressing the Pharisees. The Pharisees, known for their strict adherence to the law, would have understood this concept well. Theologically, this reflects the idea that sin separates humanity from God, a theme consistent throughout Scripture.but He does listen to the one who worships Him This part of the verse highlights the importance of worship and reverence towards God. Worship in the Jewish context involved not only ritual practices but also a heart posture of submission and obedience. The Psalms frequently emphasize that God is near to those who call on Him in truth (<a href="/psalms/145-18.htm">Psalm 145:18</a>). In the New Testament, Jesus teaches that true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth (<a href="/john/4-23.htm">John 4:23-24</a>). This phrase underscores the relational aspect of faith, where God responds to those who earnestly seek Him.and does His will Doing God's will is a central theme in both the Old and New Testaments. In the context of <a href="/john/9.htm">John 9</a>, the healed man implies that Jesus, by performing the miracle, is doing the will of God. This aligns with Jesus' own statements about His mission, such as in <a href="/john/6-38.htm">John 6:38</a>, where He declares that He has come to do the will of the Father. The concept of doing God's will is also tied to obedience and righteousness, as seen in passages like <a href="/matthew/7-21.htm">Matthew 7:21</a>, where Jesus states that only those who do the will of His Father will enter the kingdom of heaven. This phrase emphasizes the active response of faith, where belief is demonstrated through actions aligned with God's purposes.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> Central figure in the Gospel of John, performing miracles and teaching about the Kingdom of God. In <a href="/bsb/john/9.htm">John 9</a>, He heals a man born blind. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_blind_man.htm">The Blind Man</a> A man healed by Jesus, who was born blind. His healing is the context for the discussion in <a href="/john/9-31.htm">John 9:31</a>. 3. <a href="/topical/p/pharisees.htm">Pharisees</a> Religious leaders who question the blind man and challenge Jesus' authority and actions. 4. <a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a> The city where this event takes place, a central location for many of Jesus' teachings and miracles. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_disciples.htm">The Disciples</a> Followers of Jesus who witness His miracles and learn from His teachings.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/g/god's_attentiveness_to_righteousness.htm">God's Attentiveness to Righteousness</a> God is attentive to those who live in obedience and worship Him. Our relationship with God is strengthened through a life of righteousness. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_worship_and_obedience.htm">The Importance of Worship and Obedience</a> Worship and obedience are key to being heard by God. This calls for a life that aligns with His will and commands. <a href="/topical/u/understanding_sin_and_separation.htm">Understanding Sin and Separation</a> Sin creates a barrier between us and God. Recognizing and repenting from sin is crucial for maintaining a close relationship with Him. <a href="/topical/f/faith_and_action.htm">Faith and Action</a> True faith is demonstrated through actions that align with God's will. Our prayers and requests are more effective when coupled with a life of faithfulness. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_jesus_as_mediator.htm">The Role of Jesus as Mediator</a> Jesus bridges the gap between humanity and God, making it possible for us to be heard by God through His righteousness.<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/why_is_john_11's_miracle_unique_to_john.htm">Why does this major miracle only appear in John and not in the other Gospels (John 11)?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_propitiation_mean.htm">What does propitiation mean?</a> <a href="/q/why_are_sincere_prayers_unanswered.htm">(Psalm 65:2) If God truly hears all prayers, why do so many sincere requests remain unanswered? </a> <a href="/q/why_are_prayers_answered_for_lawbreakers.htm">If ignoring the law makes one’s prayers detestable (Proverbs 28:9), how do we account for apparent answered prayers among those who openly violate biblical commands? </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>(31) Now we know that God heareth not sinners.--What they should have known, but asserted that they did not, he proceeds to declare. The argument of this and the two following verses may be stated in syllogistic form, thus:--(1) God heareth not sinners, but only those who worship Him and do His will. (2) That God heareth this Man is certain, for such a miracle could be performed only by divine power. (3) This Man, therefore, is not a sinner, but is from God.He assumes as a general truth, which all accepted, that God heareth not sinners. This is based upon numerous passages in the Old Testament Scriptures--e.g., <a href="/context/isaiah/1-11.htm" title="To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to me? said the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats.">Isaiah 1:11-15</a>; <a href="/psalms/66-18.htm" title="If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:">Psalm 66:18</a>; <a href="/psalms/109-7.htm" title="When he shall be judged, let him be condemned: and let his prayer become sin.">Psalm 109:7</a>; <a href="/proverbs/15-8.htm" title="The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.">Proverbs 15:8</a>; <a href="/proverbs/15-29.htm" title="The LORD is far from the wicked: but he hears the prayer of the righteous.">Proverbs 15:29</a>; <a href="/job/27-9.htm" title="Will God hear his cry when trouble comes on him?">Job 27:9</a>; <a href="/job/35-13.htm" title="Surely God will not hear vanity, neither will the Almighty regard it.">Job 35:13</a>. We are, of course, to understand the word "sinner" in the sense in which they had used it in <a href="/john/9-16.htm" title="Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keeps not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them.">John 9:16</a>; <a href="/john/9-24.htm" title="Then again called they the man that was blind, and said to him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner.">John 9:24</a>. They had said that they knew this Man to be a sinner, and they meant one who was a sinner in a darker sense than that in which the word may be applied to all men. He asserts, as a truth which agrees with the whole teaching of the Old Testament, and with all the religious instincts of men, that there would be no communion between such a man and heaven. Such a one could not be commissioned as a prophet, or so heard in heaven as to have power to work miracles on earth. (Comp. Notes on <a href="/context/john/11-41.htm" title="Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank you that you have heard me.">John 11:41-42</a>, and <a href="/acts/3-12.htm" title="And when Peter saw it, he answered to the people, You men of Israel, why marvel you at this? or why look you so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?">Acts 3:12</a>.) Men have sometimes taken the words altogether apart from their context, and read into them a dark meaning which they cannot be rightly made to bear. Neither these words, nor any words of God, assign any limit to the divine grace, which extendeth to every penitent sinner; nor is there any voice of any child of man lifted to heaven, which is not heard by the Father who is in heaven. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/9.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 31. - We know - the new-born disputant takes up the language of these proud casuists, and adopts the technical phrase which they had used (vers. 24, 29) - we know, you and I, that God heareth not sinners in any special sense of miraculous approval (<a href="/job/27-9.htm">Job 27:9</a>; <a href="/job/35-13.htm">Job 35:13</a>; <a href="/psalms/109-7.htm">Psalm 109:7</a>; and especially <a href="/psalms/66-18.htm">Psalm 66:18, 19</a>; <a href="/proverbs/15-29.htm">Proverbs 15:29</a>; <a href="/isaiah/1-15.htm">Isaiah 1:15</a>). One aspect of Old Testament teaching shows that a man must delight himself in the Lord in order to receive the desires of his heart. If we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us; but the prayer of the sinner, the desire of the wicked, is contrary to the will of' God. When the sinner turns from his sins to the Lord, the cry for mercy is in harmony with the will of God. In one sense every prayer is the prayer of sinful men; but it is the Divine life working within them that offers acceptable prayer. The prayer of the sinner as such is not heard. We know God does not listen to the cry of sinners, when, as sinners, they ask from the ground of their sin, to secure their own sinful purpose; but if any man be a worshipper of God (the word Θεοσεβής is an ἅπαξ λεγόμενον, and occurs nowhere else in the New Testament), and doeth his (God's) will, this man he heareth. The blind beggar has learned the deepest truth of the Divine revelation about the conditions of acceptable prayer. The immediate application was the miraculous unwonted event as answer to the effectual fervent prayer of the righteous man (see <a href="/james/5-16.htm">James 5:16-18</a>). So much for the general relation of this Healer to God. The rabbis were never tired of urging that the "answers to prayer depended on a man being devout and doing the will of God" (Edersheim, who quotes 'Ber.,' 6, b; 'Taanith,' 3:8; 'Succah,' 14, a; 'Yoma,' 28, a). So that the man was here fighting with drawn sword. <a href="/commentaries/john/9-31.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>We know οἴδαμεν (oidamen) Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1492.htm">Strong's 1492: </a> To know, remember, appreciate. that ὅτι (hoti) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_3754.htm">Strong's 3754: </a> Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because. God Θεὸς (Theos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. does not listen to ἀκούει (akouei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_191.htm">Strong's 191: </a> To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear. sinners, ἁμαρτωλῶν (hamartōlōn) Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_268.htm">Strong's 268: </a> Sinning, sinful, depraved, detestable. From hamartano; sinful, i.e. A sinner. but ἀλλ’ (all’) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_235.htm">Strong's 235: </a> But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise. He does listen to ἀκούει (akouei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_191.htm">Strong's 191: </a> To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear. the τούτου (toutou) Demonstrative Pronoun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> This; he, she, it. one who τις (tis) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5100.htm">Strong's 5100: </a> Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object. worships [Him] θεοσεβὴς (theosebēs) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2318.htm">Strong's 2318: </a> Devout, pious, God-fearing. From theos and sebomai; reverent of God, i.e. Pious. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. does ποιῇ (poiē) Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4160.htm">Strong's 4160: </a> (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do. 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. will. θέλημα (thelēma) Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2307.htm">Strong's 2307: </a> An act of will, will; plur: wishes, desires. From the prolonged form of ethelo; a determination, i.e. choice or inclination. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/9-31.htm">John 9:31 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/john/9-31.htm">John 9:31 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/john/9-31.htm">John 9:31 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/john/9-31.htm">John 9:31 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/john/9-31.htm">John 9:31 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/john/9-31.htm">John 9:31 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/9-31.htm">John 9:31 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/9-31.htm">John 9:31 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/john/9-31.htm">John 9:31 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/john/9-31.htm">John 9:31 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/john/9-31.htm">NT Gospels: John 9:31 We know that God doesn't listen (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/9-30.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 9:30"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 9:30" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/9-32.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 9:32"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 9:32" /></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>