What Does John 9:40 Mean in the King James?
And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also?
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The question “Are we blind also?” shows that hearing blindness named is not the same as seeing it in yourself.
THE MEANING
When words about sight reach you, the question turns inward: could this name me too? Hearing the question is not yet seeing; the verse leaves open whether it becomes honest recognition or self-protection.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The lie is that being able to ask whether you are blind proves you can see.
THE ROOT
τυφλοί
typhloi
GROWS FROM
τυφλ-
typhl-
blind; unable to see
“blind” in this verse is typhloi. The word makes blindness a possibility the speakers must consider in themselves, not only a condition they can recognize in others. The next verse turns the question toward their claim “We see,” revealing the gap between naming sight and perceiving.
ALSO GROWS
typhloō: to blind, make blind
τυφλόω
This verb shows the same word-family describing sight being obstructed, connecting blindness with what a person cannot perceive.
typhlōsis: blindness
τύφλωσις
This noun names the condition in the same word-family, keeping the question focused on whether blindness applies to the speakers themselves.
THE PATTERN
A person can hear a call to perceive while remaining unable to recognize what is before them.
Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not:Seeing many things, but thou observest not; opening the ears, but he heareth not.Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?THE THREAD
Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.The Greek word τυφλοί (typhloi, “blind”) recurs in Jesus’ answer, carrying the question into a sharper distinction. The verse turns from wondering whether blindness applies to them to the claim “We see,” which leaves their missing unresolved.
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