Paragraph 9:18–23

The Pharisees decided to ask the parents of the blind beggar about the healing. The parents realized that their answers could cause them trouble and refused to answer the questions.

9:18a

The Greek text includes a conjunction that is usually translated “therefore.” Most English translations, including the Berean Standard Bible, do not explicitly translate this conjunction here. However, some scholars think that the conjunction should be translated here. It does seem that there is a development in the story here.

Some scholars think that the conjunction should be translated as “therefore” or “so.” (The man thought that Jesus was a prophet so the Pharisees did not believe that he had been blind.) Others think that it indicates a weak contrast. (The man believed that Jesus was a prophet but the Pharisees did not.) Here are some ways to translate this conjunction:

But the Jewish leaders would not believe that the man had once been blind. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
So the Pharisees did not believe that he had really been blind and then could see.

Translate this conjunction in a way that is natural in your language.

The Jews still did not believe that the man had been blind and had received his sight: The Jewish leaders did not believe the healed man. They were not convinced that he had been blind before. And if he had not been blind, then he was not healed.

The Jews: Here the phrase The Jews refers to the Jewish leaders who were opposed to Jesus. They are likely the same group of people who are called “the Pharisees” in 9:15a. The phrase does not refer to all the Jews.

still did not believe that the man had been blind: The Jewish leaders refused to accept that the man that was talking with them used to be blind. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

would not believe that the man had been blind (Revised English Bible)
-or-
were not willing to believe that he had been blind (Good News Translation)

had received his sight: The Jewish leaders accepted that the man could see. But they did not believe that this was the result of Jesus healing him. They thought that he was lying and was always able to see. Here are other ways to translate this phrase:

had gained his sight (NET Bible Bible)
-or-
could now see (Good News Translation)

General Comment on 9:18a

In some languages a literal translation may imply that the leaders did not believe that the man could see. In those languages it may be natural to mention only that the man had previously been blind. For example:

But the Jewish leaders would not believe that the man had once been blind. (Contemporary English Version)

9:18b

until: This word here indicates that the Jewish leaders did not believe before they talked to the parents. Then they accepted that the man was telling the truth about his blindness. The word until connects to both the rest of 9:18b and also 9:19a. That means that two things had to happen before they believed. First, they had to call the parents and second, they had to ask them about their son.

they summoned his parents: The Jewish leaders wanted to ask the man’s parents about what had happened. So they sent someone to go and bring his parents to them. Refer to the man in a way that is natural in your language. It may be best to use a shorter form. For example:

sent for the man’s parents (New International Version)
-or-
told/ordered his parents to come

General Comment on 9:18a–b

The man referred to as “he” in 9:18a is identified in 9:18b as “the man who had received his sight.” In many languages this long phrase used to identify the man may not be natural or clear. And in 9:18a the text says that this man had received his sight. So it may not be necessary to repeat this information in 9:18b. For example:

The Jewish authorities, however, were not willing to believe that he had been blind and could now see, until they called his parents. (Good News Translation)
-or-
But the Jewish leaders would not believe that the man had once been blind. They sent for his parents (Contemporary English Version)
-or-

18b Until they talked to the man’s parents, 18a the Jews didn’t believe that the man had been blind and had been given sight. (God’s Word)

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