Meaning of John 9:31

This verse, spoken by the formerly blind man whom Jesus healed, asserts a fundamental theological principle regarding divine reception of prayer and human interaction with God. It is not a statement of God's selective hearing based on merit alone, but rather a reflection of the understanding prevalent among some in that era, and a profound spiritual truth about alignment with God's will. The speaker, having experienced a radical transformation through Jesus' power, contrasts his newfound understanding of God's responsiveness with the perceived ineffectiveness of prayers offered by those who deliberately disregard God's commands. This statement highlights a crucial distinction between outward religious observance and a life lived in obedience, suggesting that true connection with God is characterized by a heart inclined towards His purposes.

Context and Background

The immediate context is Jesus healing a man born blind on the Sabbath. This act, along with the ensuing debate with the Pharisees, forms the backdrop of John 9. The Pharisees, rigid in their interpretation of the Law, could not accept the miracle because it was performed on the Sabbath, and they questioned the man's healing and subsequently his parents. The formerly blind man, in contrast, directly attributes his healing to Jesus, whom he now recognizes as from God due to this miraculous act. His statement in John 9:31 is a response to the Pharisees' continued disbelief and their attempts to discredit Jesus, whom he has come to believe is the Messiah. He is arguing that their hardened hearts and deliberate opposition to God's work, exemplified by their rejection of Jesus, render their prayers ineffective in God's eyes.

Key Themes and Messages

• Divine Accessibility and Obedience: The verse posits that God's ear is open to those who align their lives with His will. This is not about earning salvation through works but about a disposition of heart that seeks to honor God.
• The Nature of Sin and God's Relationship: Sin, understood as rebellion against God and disobedience to His commands, creates a barrier to genuine communion. While God's grace extends to all, the verse suggests that those who persistently live in unrepentant sin may not experience the same level of responsiveness to their appeals as those who strive to follow Him.
• Discernment of True Spirituality: The formerly blind man, through his direct experience, has gained a spiritual discernment that allows him to differentiate between outward piety and genuine adherence to God's will. He sees the Pharisees' actions as contrary to God's character and therefore their prayers as unheard.
• The Person of Jesus: The ultimate implication is that Jesus is the one who embodies and reveals God's will. By rejecting Jesus, the Pharisees are rejecting the very means by which God is made known and accessible.

Spiritual Significance and Application

This verse calls believers to examine their lives and ensure their actions and desires are in harmony with God's purposes. It emphasizes that prayer is not a magical incantation but a dialogue with a God who desires a relationship rooted in obedience and love. For individuals struggling with unanswered prayer, this verse encourages introspection: are their lives characterized by a sincere effort to follow God's will, or are there areas of deliberate rebellion that might be hindering their communion? It also serves as a reminder that God hears the prayers of the righteous, not as a reward for perfection, but as a consequence of their seeking and following Him.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This statement resonates with the Old Testament concept of the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where obedience was consistently linked to blessing and divine favor. Prophets frequently rebuked Israel for their empty sacrifices and prayers when their hearts were far from God and their actions were unjust (e.g., Isaiah 1:11-15, Amos 5:21-24). In the New Testament, Jesus Himself taught about the importance of praying "Your will be done" (Matthew 6:10) and warned against hypocrisy in prayer (Matthew 6:5-6). The emphasis on doing God's will is a consistent thread throughout Scripture, culminating in the understanding that Jesus is the ultimate expression of God's will and the mediator through whom we can approach the Father.

Analogies

• A Child and a Parent: A child who consistently disobeys and disrespects their parent may find their requests met with less responsiveness than a child who honors and obeys. The parent still loves the disobedient child, but the relationship is strained by the lack of respect and adherence to reasonable expectations.
• A Business Partner: In a business partnership, a partner who consistently acts against the agreed-upon principles and goals of the venture might find their suggestions and appeals disregarded by the other partner. The partnership itself is undermined by the lack of shared commitment to its objectives.
• A Broken Communication Line: Imagine a radio transmitter and receiver. If the transmitter (the sinner) is not tuned to the correct frequency or is emitting static (disobedience), the signal (prayer) will not be clearly received by the intended recipient (God). A receiver tuned to the correct frequency (the godly person) will have clear communication.

Relation to Other Verses

• 1 John 3:22: "and receive from him whatever we ask, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him." This verse directly echoes John 9:31, linking answered prayer to obedience and pleasing God.
• Proverbs 15:29: "The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous." This Old Testament proverb expresses a similar sentiment about God's responsiveness based on the character of the petitioner.
• James 4:3: "You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions." James addresses the reasons for unanswered prayer, highlighting selfish motives as a barrier, which can be seen as a form of not aligning with God's will.
• Matthew 7:7-8: "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened." While this passage emphasizes God's willingness to give, the broader context of Jesus' teaching, including the Sermon on the Mount, consistently links receiving from God with righteousness and doing His will.