John 9:12 — Community Reflections

JOHN 9:12 — KING JAMES VERSION 0

“Then said they unto him, Where is he? He said, I know not.”

Then said they unto him, Where is he? And he said, I know not — the neighbors ask where Jesus is. The man does not know ('I know not,' ouk oida). This establishes the man's innocence of any conspiracy: he has not been tutored or prepared. His only knowledge is what he has directly experienced. The question also sets up the next stage: Jesus has disappeared from the scene, and the healing becomes the focus of investigation without Jesus's immediate presence to explain or defend it.

Church Fathers on John 9:12

The neighbors therefore, and they which had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged? Wonderful clemency and condescension of God! Even the beggars He heals with so great considerateness: thus stopping the mouths of the Jews; in that He made not the great, illustrious, and noble, but the poorest and meanest, the objects of His providence. Indeed He had come for the salvation of all. Some said, This is he. The blind man having been clearly…
Chrysostom · 4th century · The suddenness of the miracle made men incredulous

His eyes being opened had altered his look. But he said, I am he. He spoke gratefully; a denial would have convicted Him of ingratitude.
Augustine · 4th century

Thus he represents the state of the catechumen, who believes in Jesus, but does not, strictly speaking, know Him, not being yet washed. It fell to the Pharisees to confirm or deny the miracle.
Bede · 8th century

Read all 14 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain

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