=13.= Verses 13-34 report a semi-official investigation by the Pharisees, instigated not by a sincere desire to ascertain the truth, nor by mere curiosity, but by a determination to break the force of the miracle that had been wrought. For this purpose they first examine the man (verses 15-17) and his parents (18-21), in hope to prove an imposture; next they subject the man to a further cross-examination in an unsuccessful endeavor to break down his testimony (verses 24-33); failing in that, they do what they can to discredit his testimony by excommunicating him (ver. 34).--=The Pharisees.= It is generally supposed that this phrase indicates the Jewish court formally assembled, either the Sanhedrim, _i. e._, the supreme court of the nation, or the lesser Sanhedrim, _i. e._, one of the local courts in Jerusalem. But the passages cited to show that John uses the term “Pharisees” to designate a court rather indicate the opposite. In both John 7:32, 45-47 and John 11:46, 47, he distinguishes between the “chief-priests and Pharisees” who constituted the council, and the Pharisees who constituted not a body, but a party. I judge then that the investigation which follows is an informal one. It must be remembered that in that age, and even to the present time in that country, no such clear line was drawn as with us between an official and an unofficial trial. 14 And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes. 15 Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see. 16 Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How[363] can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And[364] there was a division among them. [363] verse 31; ch. 3:2. [364] ch. 7:12, 43. =14-16. The Sabbath day.= For analogous case of Sabbath healing, see ch. 5, notes.--=Then again the Pharisees also asked him.= Not that they had asked him before; the “again” refers to the question by the people in ver. 10.--=Some said * * * * Others said.= It is a mistake to suppose that all the Pharisees were hypocrites. Among them were such men as Nicodemus, Joseph of Arimathea, Gamaliel, Saul of Tarsus. See Matt. 3:7, note. But the honest Pharisees were timid, and were easily overborne by their opponents. For account of a similar conflict, see ch. 7:47-52. Observe the inherent vice of Pharisaism, ancient and modern; it puts the ceremonial above humanity; it is of the essence of Christianity that it regards all ceremonials and observances as for humanity (Mark 2:27; note on Matt. 12:8). 17 They say unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, that he hath opened thine eyes? He said, He is a prophet.[365] [365] ch. 4:19.