Bible Strands
John 9:33
If this man were not from God, He could do no such thing.”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The healed blind man addresses the Pharisees during their second interrogation, immediately after describing how Jesus restored his sight. He speaks in response to their challenge, using the miracle as the basis for his claim.
The words — The conditional clause εἰ μὴ παρὰ θεοῦ (ei mē para theou) literally means "unless from God," setting up a necessary condition. The verb ἠδύνατο (ēdynamato) translates to "He was able," highlighting the inherent capacity required to perform the sign.
The thread — This cause-and-effect reasoning mirrors the Pharisees' own dispute in John 9:16 regarding whether a Sabbath-breaking miracle-worker could originate from God. It also aligns with Nicodemus's observation in John 3:2 that miraculous works serve as proof of divine commission.
Why it lands — The text presents an observable miracle and demands that the listener trace its origin to a divine source. It requires the reader to either accept the work as evidence of God's involvement or dismiss it while accounting for its impossibility.
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
If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.
Cross-references
- John 9:16 Because of this, some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for He does not keep the Sabbath.” But others said, “How can a sinful man perform such signs?” And there was division among them.
- John 3:2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs You are doing if God were not with him.”
- Acts 5:38 So in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone. Let them go! For if their purpose or endeavor is of human origin, it will fail.