Book of John - Chapter 9 - Verse 22

In this verse from the Gospel of John, the parents of a man who had been healed by Jesus are speaking out of fear of the Jewish leaders. They knew that the Jewish leaders had already agreed that anyone who confessed that Jesus was the Christ would be kicked out of the synagogue. This context is crucial for understanding the magnitude of the miracle that had taken place and the level of opposition that Jesus faced from the Jewish religious authorities. Being kicked out of the synagogue would have been a significant social and spiritual consequence for anyone in that time, as the synagogue was the center of Jewish religious and social life. This verse sheds light on the political and social climate of the time, showing the intense pressure that existed against those who followed Jesus as the Messiah. Despite this opposition, the parents of the man who had been healed by Jesus chose to speak cautiously, reflecting the tense atmosphere surrounding Jesus' ministry and followers.

In this verse, the theology and word study lie in the significance of being put out of the synagogue. During the time of Jesus, being expelled from the synagogue was a serious punishment as it meant being cut off from the Jewish community and religious life. It was not just a physical removal from the building, but a spiritual excommunication that had social and religious repercussions. Those who were put out of the synagogue would lose their place in the community, be deprived of communal worship, and be prohibited from participating in religious festivals and events. For the Jews, the synagogue was not only a place of worship but also a center of social and educational life. Therefore, the fear of being expelled from the synagogue was a powerful deterrent to confessing Jesus as the Christ, even though his true identity was known to some, such as the parents of the man who was healed. This verse sheds light on the social and cultural context of the time, highlighting the conflicts and consequences that arose from embracing Jesus as the Messiah.