What does John 9:20 mean?

These parents have been called before a council of Jerusalem's religious leaders. In the gospel of John, the cadre of scribes and Pharisees and those who follow them are referred to as "the Jews." The reason for their summons is a miracle Jesus has performed: giving sight to a man who had been blind from birth (John 9:1–7). To investigate Jesus—and hopefully to discredit Him—the religious leaders interrogate the man's parents to see if the person claiming to have been healed really is their son, and if he really was blind his entire life.

The parents' response is timid and short for a reason. The religious leaders of Jerusalem have already declared a punishment for anyone who follows Jesus: excommunication (John 9:22). In that era, this was more than just a once-a-week church relationship. It meant being cut off from the core identity of the entire community. The formerly blind man's parents seek to tell the truth. Yet they are clearly reluctant to say anything beyond the bare facts which they know. Their testimony will continue (John 9:21), including their plea for the interrogation to focus on their son.