Therefore his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.”
Parallel translations
- WEB Therefore his parents said, “He is of age. Ask him.”
- KJV Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him.
- BSB That was why his parents said, “He is old enough. Ask him.”
- NASB It was for this reason that his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.”
- NLT That’s why they said, “He is old enough. Ask him.”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Because of this fear, the parents again defer to their son, saying he is of age. They avoid the question to protect themselves.
Overview
Repeating their deflection, the parents place the burden of confession on their adult son. Their reluctance highlights the contrast with the man's courage. The verse underscores how fear of the authorities led some to evade testimony, while the healed man would soon boldly confess despite the cost.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 1
- John 9:21but how he now sees, we don’t know; or who opened his eyes, we don’t know. He is of age. Ask him. He will speak for himself.”
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John declares him plainly: the eternal Word made flesh, the Lamb of God, the great 'I AM' — bread, light, door, shepherd, way, truth, life, resurrection — that you may believe and have life in his name.
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Original language
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