Mud Used by Jesus to Heal Blindness in Scripture
In the Gospel of John, Jesus heals a man born blind by making mud with his saliva and anointing the man's eyes with it [3]. This event occurred on the Sabbath, a detail noted by the evangelist [1]. The blind man himself recounted, "A man called Jesus made mud, anointed my eyes, and said to me, ‘Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash.’ So I went away and washed, and I received sight" [2].
The use of saliva in healing is also documented in other instances in the Gospels. For example, Jesus used saliva in a healing recorded in Mark 7:33 and again in Mark 8:23, where he spit on a man's eyes to cure his blindness [5]. The medicinal use of saliva was recognized in ancient times [5]. John Calvin notes that Jesus and his apostles exercised great liberty in external actions during healings, sometimes using a touch, sometimes a word, and sometimes anointing [6]. The specific method, such as the use of mud, was not seen as a deeper mystery but rather as a demonstration of Christ's freedom in performing miracles [6].
Commentators like John Gill suggest that Jesus's action of spitting on the ground and making clay might have been due to the lack of water, or perhaps a deliberate choice to use "spittle clay" [7]. This particular miracle is one of many performed by Christ, which include turning water into wine, healing the nobleman's son, casting out devils, and raising the dead [4]. The act of healing the blind man by making mud and instructing him to wash in the Pool of Siloam highlights Jesus's authority and power, even through unconventional means [2].
Sources
- John “It was a Sabbath when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes. -- John 9:14”
- John “He answered, “A man called Jesus made mud, anointed my eyes, and said to me, ‘Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash.’ So I went away and washed, and I received sight.” -- John 9:11”
- John “When he had said this, he spat on the ground, made mud with the saliva, anointed the blind man’s eyes with the mud, -- John 9:6”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Miracles of Christ, The — Water turned to wine -- Joh 2:6-10. Nobleman's son healed -- Joh 4:46-53. Centurion's servant healed -- Mt 9:5-13. Draughts of fish -- Lu 5:4-6; Joh 21:6. Devils cast out -- Mt 8:28-32; 9:32,33; 15:22-28; 17:14-18; Mr 1:23-27. Peter's wife's mother healed -- Mt 8:14,15. Lepers cleansed -- Mt 8:3; Lu 17:14. Paralytic healed -- Mr 2:3-12. Withered hand restored -- Mt 12:10-13. Impotent man healed -- Joh 5:5-9. The dead raised to life -- Mt 9:18; 19:23-25; Lu 7:12-15; Joh 11:11-44. Issue of blood stopped -- Mt 9:20-22. The blind restored to sig”
- Mark (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 7:33: 7:33 The healing was performed privately (7:33; see 5:40-43; 8:23) to prevent the spread of messianic fervor (see 3:11-12; cp. John 6:15). • Jesus also used saliva in a healing at Mark 8:23, where he spit on a man’s eyes in curing his blindness. The medicinal use of saliva in ancient times is well documented.”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 101: no deeper mystery lay under this ceremony will easily be perceived by those who consider how great liberty both our Lord and his apostles used in those external things. 673 673 John 9:6 ; Mt. 9:29 ; Luke 18:42 ; Acts 3:6 ; 5:16; 19:12. Our Lord, when about to give sight to the blind man, spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle; some he cured by a touch, others by a word. In like manner the apostles cured some diseases by word only, others by touch, others by anointing. But it is probable that neither this anointing nor an”
- John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on John 9:6: And when he had thus spoken,.... In answer to the disciples' question, and declaring his own work and office in the world, and the necessity he was under of performing it: he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle; the Misnic doctors speak (c) of , "clay that is spitted", or "spittle clay", which their commentators say (d) was a weak, thin clay, like spittle or water; but this here was properly spittle clay, or clay made of spittle, for want of water; or it may be rather, through choice Christ spat upon the dust of the earth, and worked it together into a con”