And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.

People's New Testament

9:39 For judgment I am come into this world. The coming of Christ, the Light, reveals human hearts. Publicans and sinners were made to see, while Jews and Pharisees, who claimed to be enlightened, were left in darkness, because they closed their eyes. Those blinded are those who would not see.

Wesley's Notes

9:39 For judgment am I come into the world - That is, the consequence of my coming will be, that by the just judgment of God, while the blind in body and soul receive their sight, they who boast they see, will be given up to still greater blindness than before.

Scofield Reference Notes

Margin world

kosmos = mankind. See Scofield Note: "Mt 4:8".

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

39-41. Jesus said-perhaps at the same time, but after a crowd, including some of the skeptical and scornful rulers, had, on seeing Jesus talking with the healed youth, hastened to the spot.

that they which see not might see, &c.-rising to that sight of which the natural vision communicated to the youth was but the symbol. (See on [1818]Joh 9:5, and compare Lu 4:18).

that they which see might be made blind-judicially incapable of apprehending and receiving the truth, to which they have wilfully shut their eyes.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

9:39-41 Christ came into the world to give sight to those who were spiritually blind. Also, that those who see might be made blind; that those who have a high conceit of their own wisdom, might be sealed up in ignorance. The preaching of the cross was thought to be folly by such as by carnal wisdom knew not God. Nothing fortifies men's corrupt hearts against the convictions of the word, more than the high opinion which others have of them; as if all that gained applause with men, must obtain acceptance with God. Christ silenced them. But the sin of the self-conceited and self-confident remains; they reject the gospel of grace, therefore the guilt of their sin remains unpardoned, and the power of their sin remains unbroken.