John 9:29

John 9:29 Meaning and Explanation

We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is.

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They rest on settled certainty — God spoke to Moses — and dismiss Jesus as a man whose origin no one knows.

What Does John 9:29 Mean?

The leaders anchor themselves in what is beyond dispute: God spoke to Moses. About Jesus they profess ignorance — "we know not from whence he is" — spoken not as a question to pursue but as a dismissal, with a contemptuous "this fellow" attached.

Their "we know not" is offered as if it settled the matter, when it was precisely the thing to find out. John's readers already know whence he is: from the Father who sent him (John 1:1, 14; 9:4). Honoring what God has said is completed, not betrayed, by recognizing what God is doing; the very Scriptures they guarded were testifying of him (John 5:39). Certainty about what God spoke long ago was never meant to close their eyes to its fulfillment standing in front of them.

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What does John 9:29 mean?

They rest on settled certainty — God spoke to Moses — and dismiss Jesus as a man whose origin no one knows.

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