John 9:36

John 9:36, in plain English

The man responds with an open heart: 'Who is He, Sir? Tell me so I can believe in Him.'

Why it's here

Remember, the man has never actually seen Jesus before this moment. He was blind when Jesus healed him and only now can look at His face.

Who's speaking

The healed man expresses his eagerness to believe, asking Jesus to identify the Son of Man.

Where it sits in the story

His heart is so beautifully open. He doesn't argue or hesitate. He simply says, 'Tell me who He is, and I'll believe.' What a contrast to the Pharisees.

The scholarly reading

The man's response reveals willing faith seeking understanding—'tis estin, kyrie' (who is He, sir/Lord?)—showing readiness to believe once he can identify the Son of Man.

Language and setting

The address 'kyrie' is ambiguous, potentially meaning 'sir' or 'Lord.' The man has not yet seen Jesus (he was blind during the healing), making this a moment of first visual encounter with his healer.

Voice

The healed man eagerly responds to Jesus' question, expressing his desire to believe if he can identify the Son of Man.

Significance

The man's openness is striking: unlike the Pharisees who resisted evidence, he actively seeks to know and believe, demonstrating the receptive heart that characterizes true sight in John's theology.

34They replied, “You were born in utter sin, and you are instructing us?” And they threw him out.

35When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, He found the man and said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man ?”

36“Who is He, Sir?” he replied. “Tell me so that I may believe in Him.”

37“You have already seen Him,” Jesus answered. “He is the One speaking with you.”

38“Lord, I believe,” he said. And he worshiped Jesus.

Read all of John 9 — A man blind from birth receives sight, and the Pharisees interrogate him relentlessly. His simple testimony dismantles their theology piece by piece.