“If you were blind,” Jesus replied, “you would not be guilty of sin. But since you claim you can see, your guilt remains.”
41. If you were blind. These words may be explained in two ways; either, that ignorance would, in some degree, alleviate their guilt, if they were not fully convinced, and did not deliberately fight against the truth; or, that there was reason to hope that their disease of ignorance might be cured, if they would only acknowledge it.
Christ, having spoken comfort to the poor man that was persecuted, here speaks conviction to his persecutors, a specimen of the distributions of trouble and rest at the great day, Th2 1:6, Th2 1:7. Probably this was not immediately after his discourse with the man, but he took the next opportunity that offered itself to address the Pharisees. Here is, I.
Commenting on John 9:39-41
Verse 41. If ye were blind. If you were really blind--had had no opportunities of learning the truth. If you were truly ignorant, and were willing to confess it, and to come to me for instruction. No sin. You would not be guilty. Sin is measured by the capacities or ability of men, and by their opportunities of knowing the truth.