What does John 9:19 mean?

The parents of the man born blind are being interrogated by local religious leaders—referred to in the gospel of John as "the Jews." When Jesus grants the man eyesight, the skeptical scribes and Pharisees want to be sure that the now-seeing man is, in fact, the same person who was known as a blind beggar.

Questioning a spiritual claim is not a problem. These men are charged with leadership over the people of Israel, and they are supposed to investigate these kinds of events. Where they go wrong is not in being thorough. Their error is being insincere; these men have no actual interest in the truth. They are looking for reasons to reject Jesus and His miracles.

The way these leaders phrase their question to the blind man's parents betrays that prejudice. Rather than simply asking, "is this really your son?" they suggest that the parents themselves might be lying. The healed man is referred to as the one "who you say was born blind." The hidden suggestion is that, perhaps, the man was not really blind, or not always blind, giving these men further opportunity to discredit Jesus.

This disrespect also includes a sense of intimidation. As further verses show, these same religious leaders had already declared that those who supported Jesus would be excommunicated (John 9:22). The formerly-blind man's parents answers will show they're fearful of the Jewish leaders and want no part of this controversy.