When the Pharisees asked the parents of the man born blind about the miracle, they answered: “He is of age; ask him” — and this expression reveals an important detail about the context of the interrogation. Scripture does not specify the exact age — but the Greek expression “ηλικίαν ἔχει” clearly conveys the idea: he is already an adult and bears personal responsibility for his words.
What does the Greek expression mean
“He is of age; ask him. He will speak for himself.” John 9:21
The Greek “hēlikian echei” literally translates as “he has maturity” or “he has reached the proper age.” It is not a legal formula with an exact number, but a description of a person who is already able to answer for his own words.
In Jewish practice, a boy became a “bar mitzvah” (son of the commandment) at age 13 — from that point he was personally responsible for keeping the law. Most likely, this man was much older, because he begged at the temple and was well known in Jerusalem.
Why did the parents answer this way
“His parents said these things because they feared the Jews.” John 9:22
The next verse explains everything: the parents were afraid. The synagogue authorities had declared that whoever confessed Jesus as the Messiah would be put out. Therefore, while confirming the fact of the healing, the parents avoid a theological assessment and shift the responsibility onto their son.
“He is of age” is not simply a description of age. It is a way to protect themselves: he is an adult, let him speak for himself.
A spiritual contrast: the parents and the son
The healed man himself behaves quite differently. He does not hide. At the repeated interrogation he answers with irony and confidence:
“Do you also want to become His disciples?” John 9:27
And in the end — he worshiped Jesus as the Son of God. His “coming of age” proved to be not in the legal but in the spiritual sense: he had matured enough to see and acknowledge Christ when even those who had known him all his life were afraid.
Practical meaning
This detail in the narrative reveals an important truth: spiritual maturity is not an age category. It is measured by the readiness to testify of Christ even when it costs dearly. To recognize Him in your life and not be ashamed of it — this is true “coming of age” for a believer.
