and faith. 39 And Jesus said, For[382] judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not[383] might see; and that they which see might be made blind.[384] [382] ch. 5:22, 27; 12:47. [383] 1 Pet. 2:9. [384] ch. 3:19; Matt. 13:13. =39. For judgment am I come into this world.= Contrast chaps. 8:15; 12:47. Christ does not hesitate to state truths at different times in forms which make his statements apparently contradictory. He does not come to announce judgment or condemnation, but to provide mercy; nevertheless, he has come _for judgment_, since he draws to himself all that love the divine character and the divine life, and repels all that are worldly and selfish. He does not condemn, but they that reject him are self-condemned, testifying that they love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil.--=That they which see not might see, and that they which see might be made blind.= The meaning is not, _That they which see not their own blindness might be made to see it_; this interpretation makes the second clause of the sentence either a mere repetition of the first, _And that they which think they see might be made aware that they are blind_, or unmeaning. Nor is it to be rendered, _That they which see not spiritual things might be made to see them, and they which see the world might be made blind to that as a preparation for seeing Christ_; for though this would be in analogy with Paul’s metaphor (Rom. 6:11; 7:9), it would not interpret Christ’s declaration that he has come for judgment. The two clauses of the sentence are to be interpreted alike. Christ’s coming gave moral and spiritual sight to the publicans who were without moral culture, but opened their hearts to receive Christ’s instructions; and it darkened such moral sense as the Pharisees already possessed, since they closed their eyes to the clear revelation which Christ brought. Thus Christ is both savor of life unto life and of death unto death (2 Cor. 2:16), both the corner-stone and the stone of stumbling (1 Pet. 2:6-8; comp. Matt. 3:12, note). 40 And _some_ of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we[385] blind also? [385] Rom. 2:19; Rev. 3:17. 41 Jesus said unto them, If[386] ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see: therefore[387] your sin remaineth? [386] ch. 15:22, 24. [387] Is. 5:21; Luke 18:14; 1 John 1:8-10.