John 9:20
New International Version
“We know he is our son,” the parents answered, “and we know he was born blind.

New Living Translation
His parents replied, “We know this is our son and that he was born blind,

English Standard Version
His parents answered, “We know that this is our son and that he was born blind.

Berean Standard Bible
His parents answered, “We know he is our son, and we know he was born blind.

Berean Literal Bible
Therefore his parents answered and said, "We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind.

King James Bible
His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind:

New King James Version
His parents answered them and said, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind;

New American Standard Bible
His parents then answered and said, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind;

NASB 1995
His parents answered them and said, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind;

NASB 1977
His parents answered them and said, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind;

Legacy Standard Bible
So his parents answered and said, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind;

Amplified Bible
His parents answered, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind;

Christian Standard Bible
“We know this is our son and that he was born blind,” his parents answered.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
We know this is our son and that he was born blind,” his parents answered. “

American Standard Version
His parents answered and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind:

Contemporary English Version
The man's parents answered, "We are certain that he is our son, and we know that he was born blind.

English Revised Version
His parents answered and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
His parents replied, "We know that he's our son and that he was born blind.

Good News Translation
His parents answered, "We know that he is our son, and we know that he was born blind.

International Standard Version
His parents replied, "We know that this is our son and that he was born blind.

Majority Standard Bible
His parents answered, “We know he is our son, and we know he was born blind.

NET Bible
So his parents replied, "We know that this is our son and that he was born blind.

New Heart English Bible
His parents answered them, "We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind;

Webster's Bible Translation
His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind:

Weymouth New Testament
"We know," replied the parents, "that this is our son and that he was born blind;

World English Bible
His parents answered them, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind;
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
His parents answered them and said, “We have known that this is our son, and that he was born blind;

Berean Literal Bible
Therefore his parents answered and said, "We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind.

Young's Literal Translation
His parents answered them and said, 'We have known that this is our son, and that he was born blind;

Smith's Literal Translation
His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
His parents answered them, and said: We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind:

Catholic Public Domain Version
His parents responded to them and said: “We know that this is our son and that he was born blind.

New American Bible
His parents answered and said, “We know that this is our son and that he was born blind.

New Revised Standard Version
His parents answered, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
His parents answered and said, We know that he is our son, and that he was born blind.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But his parents answered and said, “We know that this is our son and that he was born blind;”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
His parents answered them, and said: We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind;

Godbey New Testament
Then his parents responded and said; We know that he is our son, and that he was born blind:

Haweis New Testament
His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind:

Mace New Testament
his parents answered, that this is our son, and that he was born blind: we are very certain.

Weymouth New Testament
"We know," replied the parents, "that this is our son and that he was born blind;

Worrell New Testament
His parents, therefore, answered and said, "We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind;

Worsley New Testament
His parents answered them, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Pharisees Investigate the Healing
19and asked, “Is this your son, the one you say was born blind? So how is it that he can now see?” 20 His parents answered, “We know he is our son, and we know he was born blind. 21But how he can now see or who opened his eyes, we do not know. Ask him. He is old enough to speak for himself.”…

Cross References
John 8:14
Jesus replied, “Even if I testify about Myself, My testimony is valid, because I know where I came from and where I am going. But you do not know where I came from or where I am going.

John 5:31-32
If I testify about Myself, My testimony is not valid. / There is another who testifies about Me, and I know that His testimony about Me is valid.

John 7:28-29
Then Jesus, still teaching in the temple courts, cried out, “You know Me, and you know where I am from. I have not come of My own accord, but He who sent Me is true. You do not know Him, / but I know Him, because I am from Him and He sent Me.”

John 3:11
Truly, truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, and yet you people do not accept our testimony.

John 1:19-23
And this was John’s testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him, “Who are you?” / He did not refuse to confess, but openly declared, “I am not the Christ.” / “Then who are you?” they inquired. “Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” ...

John 6:42
They were asking, “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How then can He say, ‘I have come down from heaven?’”

John 7:15-17
The Jews were amazed and asked, “How did this man attain such learning without having studied?” / “My teaching is not My own,” Jesus replied. “It comes from Him who sent Me. / If anyone desires to do His will, he will know whether My teaching is from God or whether I speak on My own.

John 8:25-26
“Who are You?” they asked. “Just what I have been telling you from the beginning,” Jesus replied. / “I have much to say about you and much to judge. But the One who sent Me is truthful, and what I have heard from Him, I tell the world.”

John 10:24-25
So the Jews gathered around Him and demanded, “How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.” / “I already told you,” Jesus replied, “but you did not believe. The works I do in My Father’s name testify on My behalf.

John 12:49-50
I have not spoken on My own, but the Father who sent Me has commanded Me what to say and how to say it. / And I know that His command leads to eternal life. So I speak exactly what the Father has told Me to say.”

John 14:10-11
Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me? The words I say to you, I do not speak on My own. Instead, it is the Father dwelling in Me, performing His works. / Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me—or at least believe on account of the works themselves.

John 15:24
If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have seen and hated both Me and My Father.

John 18:19-21
Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about His disciples and His teaching. / “I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus answered. “I always taught in the synagogues and at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. / Why are you asking Me? Ask those who heard My message. Surely they know what I said.”

Matthew 11:3-5
to ask Him, “Are You the One who was to come, or should we look for someone else?” / Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: / The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.

Luke 7:22
So He replied, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.


Treasury of Scripture

His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind:

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Birth Blind Born Mother Parents
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Birth Blind Born Mother Parents
John 9
1. The man born blind is restored to sight.
8. He is brought to the Pharisees.
13. They are offended at it;
35. but he is received of Jesus, and confesses him.
39. Who they are whom Jesus enlightens.














His parents answered
This phrase introduces the response of the parents of the man born blind, who had been healed by Jesus. The Greek word for "parents" is "γονεῖς" (goneis), which emphasizes their role as the biological and legal guardians of the man. In the context of first-century Jewish society, parents held significant authority and responsibility over their children, even into adulthood. Their answer is crucial because it reflects the social and religious pressures they faced, particularly from the Pharisees who were investigating the miracle.

We know
The phrase "we know" indicates certainty and personal knowledge. The Greek word "οἴδαμεν" (oidamen) suggests an awareness that is both intellectual and experiential. The parents are asserting their firsthand knowledge of their son's identity, which is indisputable. This certainty is important in the narrative, as it contrasts with the skepticism and disbelief of the religious leaders.

that this is our son
Here, the parents affirm the identity of the man who was healed. The Greek word for "son" is "υἱός" (huios), which not only denotes a biological relationship but also carries connotations of lineage and heritage. In Jewish culture, one's identity and social standing were closely tied to family and ancestry. By confirming that the healed man is indeed their son, the parents provide undeniable evidence of the miracle's authenticity.

and that he was born blind
This statement underscores the miraculous nature of the healing. The Greek word for "blind" is "τυφλός" (typhlos), which describes a condition of physical blindness. The fact that the man was "born" blind, as indicated by the Greek word "γεννηθείς" (gennetheis), highlights the severity and permanence of his condition prior to the miracle. In the Jewish understanding, congenital blindness was often seen as a sign of divine judgment or sin, making the healing even more significant as a demonstration of Jesus' divine authority and compassion.

(20) We know that this is our son . . .--The two earlier questions of matter of fact they can answer with certainty. They know, as none besides themselves can know, that he was their son, and they know the painful truth that he was born blind.

Verse 20. - To the first and second questions the parents give affirmative answers. The identification is complete, and the astounding quality of the cure is demonstrated. His parents (then) answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind. In none of the Gospels, and in no narrative of this Gospel, is more certain proof given of the reality of a perfectly inexplicable phenomenon.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
His
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

parents
γονεῖς (goneis)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1118: A begetter, father; plur: parents. From the base of ginomai; a parent.

answered,
Ἀπεκρίθησαν (Apekrithēsan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 611: From apo and krino; to conclude for oneself, i.e. to respond; by Hebraism to begin to speak.

“We know
Οἴδαμεν (Oidamen)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1492: To know, remember, appreciate.

he
οὗτός (houtos)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

is
ἐστιν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

our
ἡμῶν (hēmōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

son,
υἱὸς (huios)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5207: A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a 'son', used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

[we know]
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

he was born
ἐγεννήθη (egennēthē)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1080: From a variation of genos; to procreate; figuratively, to regenerate.

blind.
τυφλὸς (typhlos)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5185: Blind, physically or mentally. From, tuphoo; opaque, i.e. blind.


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