John 9:41 Commentary and Bible Study

The Pharisees believe they have understanding of Scripture, and they thank God that they are not like other men. They look down on the common people as ignorant and hopelessly unable to make a true judgment about matters to do with God. They see themselves as the experts in matters of religion, and they expect to be looked up to as those who are more righteous than the common people. They have placed themselves among those who claim to see, and therefore as Christ has just told them, they will be made blind. If they were to admit that they were sinners before God and that they needed his pardon; if they knew that they lacked wisdom and were ready to acknowledge their spiritual blindness; if they came to God for spiritual life in repentance and faith, then God would heal their blindness and they would be able to see the truth. This is the work that Christ came to do for all who humble themselves before him, but the Pharisees were too proud to come in this way and therefore their sin remains unforgiven and their claimed sight will turn out to be total blindness.