John 9:6
Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man’s eyes with the mud
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jesus uses dirt mixed with his own saliva, a common folk remedy for eye ailments, not to directly heal, but to prepare the man for a deeper encounter with God's power. This seemingly strange act highlights that God often works through ordinary means, transforming them into something extraordinary to stir our faith and point us to Him.
Jesus has just responded to his disciples' question about why the man was born blind, stating it was for God's glory to be displayed through him. Following this, Jesus acts by spitting on the ground, mixing the dirt with his saliva to create a mud poultice. He then applies this mixture to the man's eyes, a tangible, somewhat unusual act that precedes the command to wash.
Jesus used mud to heal blindness. Was this just a primitive remedy, or something more profound?
Jesus' use of mud and saliva wasn't just a random act or a simple folk remedy. While it's true that in ancient times, saliva was sometimes thought to have healing properties for the eyes, and people even used it as a kind of charm, Jesus' actions here went far beyond that.
Jesus didn't just heal; he sent the man to a specific place with a significant name. What's the message there?
The command to wash in the Pool of Siloam is packed with meaning. The name 'Siloam' itself is a powerful clue.
Understand the original words
eptusen · Greek Verb
To eject saliva from the mouth. In the ancient Near East, saliva was sometimes believed to have medicinal or ritual properties, though here it serves as an agent of Jesus' miraculous power.
pēlon · Greek Noun
Earthy material mixed with liquid. In Scripture, it often symbolizes human frailty or the dust from which humanity was created, yet here it becomes a medium for a creative miracle.
ptusmatos · Greek Noun
The clear liquid secreted by the glands in the mouth. In this context, it is the physical element used by Jesus to heal, demonstrating his authority over nature and the use of tangible means to accomplish divine purposes.
epechrisen · Greek Verb
The anointing of the blind man's eyes with mud and saliva was a deliberate, symbolic act by Jesus, rooted in ancient medicinal practices and creation imagery. It served to test the man's faith and highlight Jesus' divine power to heal, a power that far surpassed any natural remedy or superstition of the time.
c. 27-30 AD— this verse
Jesus' public ministry in Galilee and Judea
Jesus travels and teaches throughout the region, performing miracles and gathering followers. This period sees increasing tension with religious authorities.
c. 30 AD
Jesus' final journey to Jerusalem
Jesus makes his way to Jerusalem for the Passover festival, knowing his arrest and crucifixion are imminent.
c. 30 AD
Jesus' trial and crucifixion
Jesus is arrested, tried by Jewish and Roman authorities, and crucified in Jerusalem.
c. 30 AD
Resurrection and ascension of Jesus
After his crucifixion, Jesus is resurrected and later ascends, leaving his disciples to continue his mission.
This passage describes God forming man from the dust of the earth, mirroring Jesus using 'clay' (earth mixed with spittle) to create sight, echoing God's creative act.
2 Kings 5:10-14Naaman the Syrian was told to wash in the Jordan River to be healed of leprosy. His initial reluctance and eventual obedience, similar to the blind man being sent to wash in Siloam, highlight God's use of seemingly simple or even strange means to bring about healing.
Isaiah 8:6The prophet Isaiah contrasts the 'waters of Shiloah' that flow gently with the turbulent waters of the Euphrates. Jesus sending the man to the pool of Siloam ('Sent') connects to this passage, possibly symbolizing the gentle, life-giving power of God's provision versus human endeavors.
In this account, Jesus uses His touch and spittle to heal a deaf man. The use of physical means, like spittle, to convey healing power is a parallel between these two miracles, showing Jesus meeting people where they are.
The Apostle Paul speaks about God choosing the weak and foolish things of the world to shame the wise. Jesus using mud and spittle, things that would seem ordinary or even repulsive, to perform a profound miracle, aligns with this principle of God working through humble means.
vincentJohn 9:6: "When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay,"
On the ground (χαμαὶ)Only here and John 18:6.Anointed (ἐπέχρισε)Only here and John 9:11. The spittle was regarded as having a peculiar virtue, not only as a remedy for diseases of the eye, but generally as a charm, so that it was employed in incantations. Persius, describing an old crone handling an infant, says: "She takes the babe from the cradl…
ellicottJohn 9:6: "When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay,"
(6) And he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay. —The words “blind man” are omitted in some of the older MSS. The marginal rendering, and He spread the clay upon the eyes of the blind man (or, upon his eyes ) , is to be preferred. The details given in this and the next verse are evidently to be regarded as part of the sign. They impressed…
Jesus uses dirt mixed with his own saliva, a common folk remedy for eye ailments, not to directly heal, but to prepare the man for a deeper encounter with God's power. This seemingly strange act highlights that God often works through ordinary means, transforming them into something extraordinary to stir our faith and point us to Him.
Jesus has just responded to his disciples' question about why the man was born blind, stating it was for God's glory to be displayed through him. Following this, Jesus acts by spitting on the ground, mixing the dirt with his saliva to create a mud poultice. He then applies this mixture to the man's eyes, a tangible, somewhat unusual act that precedes the command to wash.
Jesus has just responded to his disciples' question about why the man was born blind, stating it was for God's glory to be displayed through him. Following this, Jesus acts by spitting on the ground, mixing the dirt with his saliva to create a mud poultice. He then applies this mixture to the man's eyes, a tangible, somewhat unusual act that precedes the command to wash.
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To apply oil or another substance to a person or thing, usually in a religious or consecratory context. Here, it denotes the application of the healing agent to the man's eyes.
c. 40-60 AD
Early spread of Christianity
The message of Jesus spreads rapidly through the Roman Empire, despite persecution.
c. 90-100 AD
Writing of the Gospel of John
The Gospel of John is written, likely in Ephesus, providing a theological account of Jesus' life, ministry, death, and resurrection.
"Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man’s eyes with the mud" — Jesus uses dirt mixed with his own saliva, a common folk remedy for eye ailments, not to directly heal, but to prepare the man for a deeper encounter with God's power. This seemingly strange act high…
