“When he had said this,
Jesus spat
On the ground.
He made clay
With the saliva.
He spread
The clay
On the man’s eyes.”
ταῦτα εἰπὼν ἔπτυσεν χαμαὶ καὶ ἐποίησεν πηλὸν ἐκ τοῦ πτύσματος, καὶ ἐπέθηκεν αὐτοῦ τὸν πηλὸν ἐπὶ τοὺς ὀφθαλμούς,
John uniquely indicated that when he had said this (ταῦτα εἰπὼν), he spat (ἔπτυσεν) on the ground (χαμαὶ). John was the only Greek biblical writer to use this word χαμαὶ that means on or pertaining to the ground. Mark in chapters 7:33 and 8:23 had Jesus spit in the ears and eyes to cure people. Here John said that then Jesus made clay or mud (καὶ ἐποίησεν πηλὸν) with the saliva (ἐκ τοῦ πτύσματος). John was the only Greek biblical writer to use this word πτύσματος that means saliva or spittle. Human saliva was believed to have some medicinal value. John also was the only Greek biblical writer to use this word πηλὸν that means clay or mud. Jesus then spread or applied (καὶ ἐπέθηκεν αὐτοῦ) this clay (τὸν πηλὸν) on the man’s eyes (ἐπὶ τοὺς ὀφθαλμούς). John also was the only Greek biblical writer to use this word ἐπέθηκεν that means to spread, anoint, or apply. This use of common materials to provide a cure was widespread among the synoptics also. This idea of simple materials becoming symbolically important is what the Christian sacraments are all about. Do you accept the value of symbols?
