John 9:39
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.
American King James Version (AKJV)
And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.
American Standard Version (ASV)
And Jesus said, For judgment came I into this world, that they that see not may see; and that they that see may become blind.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
And Jesus said, I came into this world to be a judge, so that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind.
Webster's Revision
And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they who see not, may see; and that they who see, may be made blind.
World English Bible
Jesus said, "I came into this world for judgment, that those who don't see may see; and that those who see may become blind."
English Revised Version (ERV)
And Jesus said, For judgment came I into this world, that they which see not may see; and that they which see may become blind.
Clarke's John 9:39 Bible Commentary
For judgment I am come - I am come to manifest and execute the just judgment of God:
1. By giving sight to the blind, and light to the Gentiles who sit in darkness.
2. By removing the true light from those who, pretending to make a proper use of it, only abuse the mercy of God.
In a word, salvation shall be taken away from the Jews, because they reject it; and the kingdom of God shall be given to the Gentiles.
Barnes's John 9:39 Bible Commentary
For judgment - The word "judgment," here, has been by some understood in the sense of condemnation - "The effect of my coming is to condemn the world. But this meaning does not agree with those places where Jesus says that he came not to condemn the world, John 3:17; John 12:47; John 5:45. To judge is to express an opinion in a judicial manner, and also to express any sentiment about any person or thing, John 7:24; John 5:30; Luke 8:43. The meaning here may be thus expressed: "I came to declare the condition of men; to show them their duty and danger. My coming will have this effect, that some will be reformed and saved, and some more deeply condemned."
That they ... - The Saviour does not affirm that this was the design of his coming, but that such would be the effect or result. He came to declare the truth, and the effect would be, etc. Similar instances of expression frequently occur. Compare Matthew 11:25; Matthew 10:34; "I came not to send peace, but a sword" - that is, such will be the effect of my coming.
That they which see not - Jesus took this illustration, as he commonly did, from the case before him; but it is evident that he meant it to be taken in a spiritual sense. He refers to those who are blind and ignorant by sin; whose minds have been darkened, but who are desirous of seeing.
Might see - Might discern the path of truth, of duty, and of salvation, John 10:9.
They which see - They who suppose they see; who are proud, self-confident, and despisers of the truth. Such were evidently the Pharisees.
Might be made blind - Such would be the effect of his preaching. It would exasperate them, and their pride and opposition to him would confirm them more and more in their erroneous views. This is always the effect of truth. Where it does not soften it hardens the heart; where it does not convert, it sinks into deeper blindness and condemnation.
Wesley's John 9:39 Bible Commentary
9:39 For judgment am I come into the world - That is, the consequence of my coming will be, that by the just judgment of God, while the blind in body and soul receive their sight, they who boast they see, will be given up to still greater blindness than before.
