Scripture Reference: John 9:1–3 (KJV)
1 And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.
2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?
3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.
This passage from John 9 is one of the most misinterpreted Scriptures in the Bible. Many use it to argue that some sicknesses are not the result of sin. But is that what Jesus was really saying?
Let’s look deeper.
What Did Jesus Actually Say?
The disciples asked Jesus a specific question:
“Who sinned—this man or his parents—that he was born blind?”
Jesus answered clearly:
“Neither this man nor his parents sinned.”
But notice this: Jesus only addressed two possibilities that were brought to Him—his own sin or his parents’ sin.
What About Generational Sin?
There’s a third possible cause that wasn’t asked but is biblically valid—generational or ancestral sin.
“Our fathers have sinned, and are not; and we have borne their iniquities.” — Lamentations 5:7
“I will hand them over to trouble… because of Manasseh… for what he did in Jerusalem.” — Jeremiah 15:4
When Jerusalem fell to Babylon, it wasn’t because of the sins of the people alive at the time. It was because of what King Manasseh had done generations earlier (2 Kings 21:9–15). Though Josiah, who came after Manasseh brought revival, God delayed judgment until after his reign—but the consequences still came.
This biblical precedent shows that people can suffer consequences from their ancestors’ sins, even if they themselves are not guilty of them directly.
“Parents” Doesn’t Mean “Ancestors”
Here’s an important distinction that’s often overlooked.
The Greek word used for “parents” in John 9:2 is γονεῖς (goneis), which refers specifically to a person’s immediate, biological parents—not their ancestors or forefathers.
This means the disciples only considered two possibilities:
- That the man was blind because of his own sin, or
- That he was blind because of the sins of his mother or father.
But they left out a third possibility: the sins of his ancestors or forefathers. And Jesus only answered what they asked.
The New Testament does have a different word for forefathers—προγόνων (progonōn), as seen in 2 Timothy 1:3, where Paul says:
“I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience…”
This reinforces that John 9:2 is not asking about ancestral sin, which means that avenue was left unaddressed—not denied. So Jesus’ response leaves room for the possibility that the man’s blindness was a consequence of generational iniquity rather than personal wrongdoing.
This makes it clear:
Jesus denied two causes of the blindness—but not the third.
A Closer Look at the Word “But”
The Greek word translated “but” in John 9:3 is “alla” (Strong’s G235), and it can also mean “nevertheless.” This subtle difference matters. Jesus wasn’t saying sin had no part at all—He was simply shifting the focus away from blame and toward purpose. It’s possible the translators inserted “but” based on their own theological lens. But when we dig deeper, we realize that Jesus might have been implying:
“It wasn’t their sin, nevertheless, this is an opportunity for God to be glorified.”
That’s a powerful truth—God can redeem even generational consequences for His glory.
We see this same Greek word, alla, translated as “nevertheless” in other scriptures:
- Matthew 26:39 (KJV) – “…let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.”
- Luke 22:42 (KJV) – “…remove this cup from me: nevertheless, not my will, but thine, be done.”
In both cases, the word introduces a redirection of focus—not a rejection of the earlier thought. The same applies in John 9:3. Jesus wasn’t denying that sin can cause suffering—He was saying this man’s specific blindness was not due to his or his parents’ personal sin. But generational sin was still a possible cause.
The Blind Man Was a Victim of a Fallen Lineage
So when Jesus said “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” He wasn’t denying all sin as the root. He simply said the sin didn’t originate with this man or his parents. The blindness could still have been the result of ancestral iniquity.
But instead of focusing on the source, Jesus emphasized the redemptive opportunity:
“…but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.”
This doesn’t mean God caused the blindness for His own glory. Rather, God was going to use what the enemy meant for evil and turn it for good—just as Romans 8:28 says:
“All things work together for good to them that love God…”
God Can Redeem It, But That Doesn’t Mean He Caused It
We should not mistake God’s ability to redeem suffering as evidence that He creates it just to glorify Himself. God promised Israel that obedience would lead to no sickness (Exodus 15:26), but when they disobeyed and got sick, God revealed Himself as a healer.
He didn’t cause their sin so He could heal them—He simply brought healing when they repented.
Likewise, the blind man’s condition was used to reveal God’s glory—not because God caused it, but because God redeems brokenness.
The Spiritual Warfare Connection: The Root Is Always Sin
Sin—whether personal, parental, or ancestral—is the open door the enemy uses. That’s why we must not ignore it.
Too many Christians fail in spiritual warfare because we either:
- Refuse to deal with our sins, or
- Are unaware of hidden iniquities passed down through generations.
Until we come to this realization, we’ll always be at a disadvantage in spiritual battles. But once exposed, sin can be repented of—and the enemy loses his legal ground.
Conclusion: Don’t Misread John 9
The story of the blind man isn’t a denial of sin’s consequences—it’s a call to look deeper and see the bigger picture.
Jesus heals, redeems, and brings glory even out of generational bondage. But to walk in victory, we must understand that sin is always the root, even if it’s not our own.
👉 For more misunderstood passages, check out:
- Why Job’s Hidden Sin Led to His Suffering
- Paul’s Thorn Wasn’t a Sickness — Here’s What It Really Was