These [words] spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue. (John 9:22 KJV)
These things said his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man should confess him [to be] Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue. (John 9:22 ASV)
His parents said these things because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if any one confessed him [to be the] Christ, he should be excommunicated from the synagogue. (John 9:22 DBY)
His parents said these things because they feared the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed that if any man would confess him as Christ, he would be put out of the synagogue. (John 9:22 WEB)
These things said his parents, because they were afraid of the Jews, for already had the Jews agreed together, that if any one may confess him–Christ, he may be put out of the synagogue; (John 9:22 YLT)
Interlinear
These /tauta/ words spake /epo/ his /autos/ parents, /goneus/ because /hoti/ they feared /phobeo/ the Jews: /Ioudaios/ for /gar/ the Jews /Ioudaios/ had agreed /suntithemai/ already, /ede/ that /hina/ if /ean/ any man /tis/ did confess /homologeo/ that he /autos/ was Christ, /Christos/ he should be /ginomai/ put out of the synagogue. /aposunagogos/ (John 9:22 KJV)
Albert Barnes’ Commentary
{l} “they feared the Jews” Pr 29:25; Joh 7:13; Joh 12:42
{m} “he should be put out of the synagogue” Joh 9:34; Joh 16:2
Philip Doddridge N.T
These things his parents said in this cautious manner, not that they had any doubt of the cure as wrought by Jesus, but because they were afraid of the Jews: for the Jews, in this their highest court, had already agreed, that if any one should show such regard to Jesus of Nazareth as to confess him to be Christ, he should immediately be excommunicated and cast out of the synagogue, a censure which was reckoned very infamous, and attended with many civil incapacities and penalties. Not knowing therefore but such an interpretation might be put on their owning the truth of this miracle, his parents declined giving any particular testimony concerning it; and rather chose to refer them to their son, and said, He is of age sufficient to be heard as an evidence, and it will therefore be most proper that you should ask the particulars from him.
The Fourfold Gospel
These things said his parents, because they feared the Jews. The parents, having heard the unrestrained, freely spoken account given by their son as to his healing, had no doubt in their own minds as to who effected that healing. They therefore declined to speak because of fear, and not through lack of knowledge.
For the Jews had agreed. Informally.
That if any man should confess him to be Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue. On the synagogue, see TFG for Mr 1:39.
(TFG 464-465)
Annotated Bible Notes
Had agreed. This was probably not a formal decree, but a well-known resolution of the rulers.
Put out of the synagogue. That is, ‘be excommunicated.’ The Jewish excommunication at this period is supposed to have involved the exclusion of the person from his family and from the synagogue for thirty days.