What does John 9:34 mean?
These scribes and Pharisees have attempted to debunk Jesus' latest miracle. They've interrogated the man who was born blind (John 9:13), and subsequently healed (John 9:6–7). They've questioned the man's parents (John 9:18). And, they've taken a second look at the healed man's testimony (John 9:24). That second exchange led to embarrassment for the religious leaders. The formerly-blind man's sincere, but sarcastic responses showed these men were nothing more than religious hypocrites. They claimed not to know where Jesus was from; the healed man said Jesus' miracles were evidence enough of who He was (John 9:25). The scribes and Pharisees claimed Jesus was a "sinner;" the healed man pointed out that a "sinner" wouldn't have access to God's power (John 9:30–31).In response, these men once again resort to a typical reaction: personal attacks. In logic and debate, this is known as an ad hominem, which literally means "to the man." This is where one side insults or disparages the person, rather than dealing with the issue itself. Here, the scribes and Pharisees dismiss the once-blind beggar with yet another insult.
It's worth noting that these same men have used this tactic on Jesus, as well: insults instead of reason (John 8:48). In fact, their verbal abuse of this man is similar to what was said to Jesus by questioning His birth (John 8:41). This man is experiencing the same kind of hatred, from the world, which Christ Himself received (John 15:18–21).
In a very practical sense, this man's experience is a compressed version of what it means to convert to Christianity. He is given a "sight" he never before possessed (John 9:1–2), by someone he had never before known (John 9:11–12). The only thing he knows for certain is the effects of this change on his own life (John 9:25). And, when he stands up for the truth of his own experience, the world insults and abuses him (John 9:28, 34), much the same way it did Jesus.
In the next passage, this blind man will finally see Jesus—who had sent him off to complete the healing miracle by washing his eyes. Jesus will fill in the last gaps in this man's knowledge, resulting in his salvation.
