John 9:31
New International Version
We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will.

New Living Translation
We know that God doesn’t listen to sinners, but he is ready to hear those who worship him and do his will.

English Standard Version
We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him.

Berean Standard Bible
We know that God does not listen to sinners, but He does listen to the one who worships Him and does His will.

Berean Literal Bible
We know that God does not hear sinners, but if anyone is God-fearing and does His will, He hears him.

King James Bible
Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.

New King James Version
Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him.

New American Standard Bible
We know that God does not listen to sinners; but if someone is God-fearing and does His will, He listens to him.

NASB 1995
“We know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is God-fearing and does His will, He hears him.

NASB 1977
“We know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is God-fearing, and does His will, He hears him.

Legacy Standard Bible
We know that God does not listen to sinners; but if anyone is God-fearing and does His will, He listens to him.

Amplified Bible
We know [according to your tradition] that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone fears God and does His will, He hears him.

Christian Standard Bible
We know that God doesn’t listen to sinners, but if anyone is God-fearing and does his will, he listens to him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
We know that God doesn’t listen to sinners, but if anyone is God-fearing and does His will, He listens to him.

American Standard Version
We know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and do his will, him he heareth.

Contemporary English Version
We know that God listens only to people who love and obey him. God doesn't listen to sinners.

English Revised Version
We know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and do his will, him he heareth.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
We know that God doesn't listen to sinners. Instead, he listens to people who are devout and who do what he wants.

Good News Translation
We know that God does not listen to sinners; he does listen to people who respect him and do what he wants them to do.

International Standard Version
We know that God doesn't listen to sinners, but he does listen to anyone who worships him and does his will.

Majority Standard Bible
We know that God does not listen to sinners, but He does listen to the one who worships Him and does His will.

NET Bible
We know that God doesn't listen to sinners, but if anyone is devout and does his will, God listens to him.

New Heart English Bible
We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshipper of God, and does his will, he listens to him.

Webster's Bible Translation
Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man is a worshiper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.

Weymouth New Testament
We know that God does not listen to bad people, but that if any one is a God-fearing man and obeys Him, to him He listens.

World English Bible
We know that God doesn’t listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, he listens to him.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And we have known that God does not hear sinners, but if anyone may be a worshiper of God, and may do His will, He hears him;

Berean Literal Bible
We know that God does not hear sinners, but if anyone is God-fearing and does His will, He hears him.

Young's Literal Translation
and we have known that God doth not hear sinners, but, if any one may be a worshipper of God, and may do His will, him He doth hear;

Smith's Literal Translation
And we know that God hears not the sinful: but if any be godly, and do his will, this he hears.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Now we know that God doth not hear sinners: but if a man be a server of God, and doth his will, him he heareth.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And we know that God does not hear sinners. But if anyone is a worshipper of God and does his will, then he heeds him.

New American Bible
We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if one is devout and does his will, he listens to him.

New Revised Standard Version
We know that God does not listen to sinners, but he does listen to one who worships him and obeys his will.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
We know that God does not hear the voice of sinners; but he hears the one who fears him and does his will.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“But we know that God does not listen to the voice of a sinner, but listens to whoever worships him and does his will.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
We know that God hears not sinners; but if any one be a worshiper of God, and do his will, him he hears.

Godbey New Testament
We know that God hears not sinners: but if any one may be a worshiper of God, and do His will, He hears him.

Haweis New Testament
Now we know that God doth not hearken to sinners: but if any man be a devout worshipper, and doeth his will, him he heareth.

Mace New Testament
now 'tis certain, that God does not countenance impostors: but regards him only that is religious, and executes his commands.

Weymouth New Testament
We know that God does not listen to bad people, but that if any one is a God-fearing man and obeys Him, to him He listens.

Worrell New Testament
We know that God heareth not sinners; but, if any one is a worshiper of God, and does His will, him He heareth.

Worsley New Testament
Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a servant of God, and do his will, him He heareth.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Pharisees Investigate the Healing
30“That is remarkable indeed!” the man said. “You do not know where He is from, and yet He opened my eyes. 31We know that God does not listen to sinners, but He does listen to the one who worships Him and does His will. 32Never before has anyone heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind.…

Cross References
Psalm 66:18
If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.

Proverbs 15:29
The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous.

Isaiah 1:15
When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you multiply your prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood.

Isaiah 59:2
But your iniquities have built barriers between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He does not hear.

Psalm 34:15-16
The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their cry. / But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to wipe out all memory of them from the earth.

Proverbs 28:9
Whoever turns his ear away from hearing the law, even his prayer is detestable.

1 Peter 3:12
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

James 5:16
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail.

1 John 3:22
and we will receive from Him whatever we ask, because we keep His commandments and do what is pleasing in His sight.

John 14:13-14
And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. / If you ask Me for anything in My name, I will do it.

John 15:7
If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

John 15:16
You did not choose Me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will remain—so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you.

John 16:23-24
In that day you will no longer ask Me anything. Truly, truly, I tell you, whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you. / Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.

Matthew 7:7-8
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. / For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

Matthew 21:22
If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”


Treasury of Scripture

Now we know that God hears not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and does his will, him he hears.

we know.

Job 27:8,9
For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul? …

Job 35:12
There they cry, but none giveth answer, because of the pride of evil men.

Job 42:8
Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job.

if any.

Psalm 34:15
The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.

Proverbs 15:29
The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

and doeth.

John 4:34
Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

John 7:17
If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

John 15:16
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

him.

John 11:41,42
Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me…

Genesis 18:23-33
And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? …

Genesis 19:29
And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when he overthrew the cities in the which Lot dwelt.

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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.














We know
This phrase indicates a collective understanding or acknowledgment among the people, particularly the Jewish leaders, about a certain truth. The Greek word used here is "οἴδαμεν" (oidamen), which implies not just knowledge but a deep-seated awareness or recognition. In the context of the Gospel of John, this phrase often introduces a statement of commonly accepted belief or tradition. It reflects the cultural and religious consensus of the time, which is crucial for understanding the mindset of the Jewish leaders who were questioning the man born blind.

that God does not listen to sinners
The phrase reflects a theological stance rooted in Jewish tradition, where sin creates a barrier between God and individuals. The Greek word for "sinners" is "ἁμαρτωλῶν" (hamartōlōn), which denotes those who are habitually sinful or morally corrupt. This belief is consistent with Old Testament teachings, such as in Isaiah 59:2, which states that sin separates people from God. The historical context here is important, as the Jewish leaders are using this belief to challenge the legitimacy of Jesus' miracle, suggesting that if Jesus were a sinner, God would not have empowered Him to perform such acts.

but He listens to the godly man
This part of the verse contrasts the previous statement by highlighting the type of person to whom God is attentive. The Greek word for "godly" is "θεοσεβής" (theosebēs), meaning devout or pious. This reflects the Jewish understanding that righteousness and a life aligned with God's will open the channels of divine communication. The historical context here is significant, as it underscores the Jewish leaders' criteria for determining who is worthy of God's attention, which they are using to evaluate Jesus' actions.

who does His will
The phrase emphasizes obedience to God's commands as a prerequisite for divine favor. The Greek word for "will" is "θέλημα" (thelēma), which refers to God's purpose or desire. In the scriptural context, doing God's will is a central theme in the teachings of Jesus, who often spoke of the importance of aligning one's actions with God's purposes. This part of the verse serves as a theological assertion that true godliness is demonstrated through obedience, a principle that is echoed throughout the New Testament and is foundational to Christian ethics.

(31) Now we know that God heareth not sinners.--What they should have known, but asserted that they did not, he proceeds to declare. The argument of this and the two following verses may be stated in syllogistic form, thus:--(1) God heareth not sinners, but only those who worship Him and do His will. (2) That God heareth this Man is certain, for such a miracle could be performed only by divine power. (3) This Man, therefore, is not a sinner, but is from God.

He assumes as a general truth, which all accepted, that God heareth not sinners. This is based upon numerous passages in the Old Testament Scriptures--e.g., Isaiah 1:11-15; Psalm 66:18; Psalm 109:7; Proverbs 15:8; Proverbs 15:29; Job 27:9; Job 35:13. We are, of course, to understand the word "sinner" in the sense in which they had used it in John 9:16; John 9:24. They had said that they knew this Man to be a sinner, and they meant one who was a sinner in a darker sense than that in which the word may be applied to all men. He asserts, as a truth which agrees with the whole teaching of the Old Testament, and with all the religious instincts of men, that there would be no communion between such a man and heaven. Such a one could not be commissioned as a prophet, or so heard in heaven as to have power to work miracles on earth. (Comp. Notes on John 11:41-42, and Acts 3:12.) Men have sometimes taken the words altogether apart from their context, and read into them a dark meaning which they cannot be rightly made to bear. Neither these words, nor any words of God, assign any limit to the divine grace, which extendeth to every penitent sinner; nor is there any voice of any child of man lifted to heaven, which is not heard by the Father who is in heaven. . . .

Verse 31. - We know - the new-born disputant takes up the language of these proud casuists, and adopts the technical phrase which they had used (vers. 24, 29) - we know, you and I, that God heareth not sinners in any special sense of miraculous approval (Job 27:9; Job 35:13; Psalm 109:7; and especially Psalm 66:18, 19; Proverbs 15:29; Isaiah 1:15). One aspect of Old Testament teaching shows that a man must delight himself in the Lord in order to receive the desires of his heart. If we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us; but the prayer of the sinner, the desire of the wicked, is contrary to the will of' God. When the sinner turns from his sins to the Lord, the cry for mercy is in harmony with the will of God. In one sense every prayer is the prayer of sinful men; but it is the Divine life working within them that offers acceptable prayer. The prayer of the sinner as such is not heard. We know God does not listen to the cry of sinners, when, as sinners, they ask from the ground of their sin, to secure their own sinful purpose; but if any man be a worshipper of God (the word Θεοσεβής is an ἅπαξ λεγόμενον, and occurs nowhere else in the New Testament), and doeth his (God's) will, this man he heareth. The blind beggar has learned the deepest truth of the Divine revelation about the conditions of acceptable prayer. The immediate application was the miraculous unwonted event as answer to the effectual fervent prayer of the righteous man (see James 5:16-18). So much for the general relation of this Healer to God. The rabbis were never tired of urging that the "answers to prayer depended on a man being devout and doing the will of God" (Edersheim, who quotes 'Ber.,' 6, b; 'Taanith,' 3:8; 'Succah,' 14, a; 'Yoma,' 28, a). So that the man was here fighting with drawn sword.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
We know
οἴδαμεν (oidamen)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1492: To know, remember, appreciate.

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

God
Θεὸς (Theos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

does not listen to
ἀκούει (akouei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 191: To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.

sinners,
ἁμαρτωλῶν (hamartōlōn)
Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 268: Sinning, sinful, depraved, detestable. From hamartano; sinful, i.e. A sinner.

but
ἀλλ’ (all’)
Conjunction
Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.

He does listen to
ἀκούει (akouei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 191: To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.

the
τούτου (toutou)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

one who
τις (tis)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5100: Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.

worships [Him]
θεοσεβὴς (theosebēs)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2318: Devout, pious, God-fearing. From theos and sebomai; reverent of God, i.e. Pious.

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

does
ποιῇ (poiē)
Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4160: (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.

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.

will.
θέλημα (thelēma)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2307: An act of will, will; plur: wishes, desires. From the prolonged form of ethelo; a determination, i.e. choice or inclination.


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