Bible Strands
John 9:29
We know that God spoke to Moses, but we do not know where this man is from.”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The synagogue interrogators address the healed blind man immediately after he rejects their accusation that Jesus is a sinner. They speak during the formal inquiry into the miracle, attempting to reassert their religious authority over him.
The words — ἡμεῖς (hēmeis) translates as "we ourselves," marking a sharp distinction between the speakers and the man. οἴδαμεν (oidamen) means "we know," establishing their claim of factual certainty regarding divine revelation.
The thread — Their appeal to Mosaic revelation parallels the Israelites' challenge in Numbers 12:2 about God's exclusive communication through Moses. The man's rebuttal in John 9:30 and Jesus' defense in John 8:14 both center on the unresolved question of Jesus' origin.
Why it lands — The text records a direct clash between inherited doctrinal certainty and personal eyewitness testimony. It asks the reader to evaluate whether religious tradition or observed reality should dictate truth claims.
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
We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is.
Cross-references
- John 8:14 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.
- Numbers 12:2 “Does the LORD speak only through Moses?” they said. “Does He not also speak through us?” And the LORD heard this.
- Numbers 16:28 Then Moses said, “This is how you will know that the LORD has sent me to do all these things, for it was not my own doing:
- Deuteronomy 34:10 Since that time, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face—
- 1 Kings 22:27 and tell them that this is what the king says: ‘Put this man in prison and feed him only bread and water until I return safely.’”
- 2 Kings 9:11 When Jehu went out to the servants of his master, they asked, “Is everything all right? Why did this madman come to you?” “You know his kind and their babble,” he replied.
- Psalms 22:6 But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men and despised by the people.
- Psalms 103:7 He made known His ways to Moses, His deeds to the people of Israel.
- Psalms 105:26 He sent Moses His servant, and Aaron, whom He had chosen.
- Psalms 106:16 In the camp they envied Moses, as well as Aaron, the holy one of the LORD.