What does John 9:30 mean?
The religious leaders of Jerusalem have made it clear they will not accept Jesus, no matter what. Even though His miracles are "signs" of His divinity (John 12:37–38), they instead find excuses to doubt or dismiss them (John 9:16). These men know the Scriptures, but ignore what those texts say about the Messiah (John 5:39–40). Their problem is not a lack of intelligence or even ignorance. Their problem is pride and hard hearts. They do not want to understand (John 7:17). Worse, they respond in angry insults when someone challenges them for their prejudice (John 9:28, 34).The same man who sarcastically challenged the scribes and Pharisees earlier now responds to their insults. Once again, his tone is sardonic, biting, and confrontational. All the same, his point is much the same as the one he previously gave (John 9:25). Despite what people might claim they don't know about Jesus, what we do know about Jesus is more than enough to make the right conclusion! The religious leaders are trying to dismiss Jesus for being an outsider—the healed man is pointing out that this is a poor excuse.
The once-blind man isn't done, either. In the face of abuse and interrogation by the religious leaders of his home, this man will proceed to teach the self-styled teachers of Israel what they ought to understand.
