“The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes.”
The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvel, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes — the man expresses wonder ('herein is a marvel'). The authorities claim not to know Jesus's origins, yet he has done something extraordinary: opened blind eyes. The man's logic highlights the absurdity: if Jesus's origins are unknown, his works are known. A person whose works are unknown cannot perform such miracles. The authorities' claim to be ignorant is itself marvelous and implicitly condemning.
Church Fathers on John 9:30
The parents having referred the Pharisees to the healed man himself, they summon him a second time: Then again called they the man that was blind. They do not openly say now, Deny that Christ has healed you, but conceal their object under the presence of religion: Give God the praise, i.e. confess that this man has had nothing to do with the work.
Deny that you have received the benefit. This is not to give God the glory, but rather to blaspheme Him.
The man, that he might neither expose himself to calumny, nor at the same time conceal the truth, answers not that he knew Him to be righteous, but, Whether He is a sinner or no, I know not.
Read all 18 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
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