Bible Strands
John 9:22
His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews. For the Jews had already determined that anyone who confessed Jesus as the Christ would be put out of the synagogue.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The healed man’s parents answer the Pharisees’ questions about their son’s sight restoration. They give this cautious reply because the Jewish authorities had already decreed synagogue expulsion for anyone who acknowledged Jesus as the Messiah.
The words — The Greek ἐφοβοῦντο (ephobounto) translates literally as “they were afraid,” marking the parents’ immediate motivation. The conjunction ὅτι (hoti) introduces the stated cause for their refusal to speak openly.
The thread — This fear of Jewish authorities parallels the public silence surrounding Jesus in John 7:13 and the predicted synagogue exclusions in John 16:2. It also aligns with the promised exclusion and insult for Jesus’ name in Luke 6:22.
Why it lands — The text states that religious policy forced the parents into silence despite their knowledge of the miracle. It requires readers to acknowledge how institutional fear can override public confession and to examine their own willingness to bear exclusion for Jesus.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.
Cross-references
- John 7:13 Yet no one would speak publicly about Him for fear of the Jews.
- John 16:2 They will put you out of the synagogues. In fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God.
- Luke 6:22 Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil because of the Son of Man.
- Isaiah 57:11 Whom have you dreaded and feared, so that you lied and failed to remember Me or take this to heart? Is it not because I have long been silent that you do not fear Me?
- John 9:34 They replied, “You were born in utter sin, and you are instructing us?” And they threw him out.
- John 12:42 Nevertheless, many of the leaders believed in Him. But because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue.
- Psalms 27:1 Of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—whom shall I dread?
- Proverbs 29:25 The fear of man is a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is set securely on high.
- Isaiah 51:7 Listen to Me, you who know what is right, you people with My law in your hearts: Do not fear the scorn of men; do not be broken by their insults.
- Isaiah 51:12 “I, even I, am He who comforts you. Why should you be afraid of mortal man, of a son of man who withers like grass?