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Translation
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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
"We know that God heareth not sinners." Since they had been the first to say, "How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles?" he now brings forward even their judgment, reminding them of their own words. "This opinion," saith he, "is common to me and you. Stand fast now to it." And observe, I pray you, his wisdom. He turns about the miracle in every way, because they could not do away with it, and from it he draws his inferences. Seest thou that at first he said "Whether he be a sinner or not, I know not"? …
Cyril of Alexandria
Having already in some measure shown his delight in the proclamations made by the Prophets and the Law as now fulfilled, both in its being unknown whence Christ was, and in the eyes of the blind being opened, he collects for himself aids to faith from every quarter, and thus discovers something else also. Starting from necessary and acknowledged principles, he makes a show of going on to the inquiry as to what is profitable and fitting, and constructs what may be termed a piece of reasoning well-pleasing to God. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
Then, since previously some of them had said: "How can a sinful man perform such miracles," he too takes up this condemnation of theirs and reminds them of their own words. "We all know," he says, "that God does not listen to sinners, but listens to the one who honors Him and does His will." Note from this how he not only removes sins from the Lord, but also presents Him as a great pleaser of God and one who does everything according to His will, when he says: "If anyone honors God and does His will." Some indulge in cold and subtle …
Western Saints
Augustine of Hippo
As yet however He speaks as one but just anointed, for God hears sinners too. Else in vain would the publican cry, God be merciful to me a sinner. (Luke 18:13) By that confession he obtained justification, as the blind man had his sight.
Thomas Aquinas
1346 The man born blind refutes their false opinion by saying, we know that God does not listen to sinners. He is reasoning this way: Whomever God hears is from God; but God heard Christ; therefore, Christ is from God. He first states his main premise; then the minor premise (v 32); and thirdly, he draws his conclusion (v 33). He does two things about the first: first, he mentions those whom God does not hear; secondly, those he does hear (v 31b). 1347 God does not hear sinners. …
Bonaventure
We know that God does not hear sinners: whence Isaiah one, the Lord to sinners: "When you multiply prayer, I will not hear"; Job eight: "God will not cast away the simple, nor extend his hand to the wicked." But if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, him he hears: below in chapter fifteen: "If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you shall ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you"; First John three: "We have confidence toward God, that whatever we ask, we receive, because we keep his commandments and do …
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