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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
"He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not; one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see." Surely the blind man was not terrified? That be far from him. How then doth he who said, "He is a Prophet", now say, "Whether he be a sinner, I know not"? …
Cyril of Alexandria
The benefit which the man formerly blind had received from Christ appears to have been twofold: his understanding was in some way enlightened at the same time as his bodily eyes, and as he possesses the, light of the physical sun in his fleshly eyes, so the intellectual beam, I mean the illumination by the Spirit, takes up its abode within him, and he receives it into his heart. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
The blind man says: "Whether He is a sinner, I do not know, and I am not now examining this, nor do I affirm it. But I know very clearly that He performed a miracle upon me." So let this matter be considered on its own and give an understanding of Him.
Western Saints
Thomas Aquinas
1337 Here we see the steadfastness of the blind man. For amazed at the hardness of the Pharisees, and impatient with what they were saying, he says, in all truth, Whether he is a sinner, I do not know. Yet because he had said before that "He is a prophet," is he not now saying, Whether he is a sinner I do not know, out of fear, as if he were doubtful? Not at all! Rather, he is angry and mocking the Pharisees. …
Bonaventure
That man says: Whether he is a sinner, I do not know; one thing I know, that whereas I was blind, now I see. As if to say: I do not judge the author, but I acknowledge the benefit. Augustine: "He neither favors calumny nor conceals the truth." The blind man responded wisely, according to that saying of Ecclesiasticus 5: "If you have understanding, answer your neighbor; but if not, let your hand be upon your mouth, lest you be caught in an undisciplined word and be confounded." But it seems that the blind man lied, because below he …
Alcuin of York
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 be a sinner or no, I know not.
Translation