8 His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, "Isn't this the same man who used to sit and beg?"
8 The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged?
8 The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar were saying, "Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?"
8 Soon the town was buzzing. His relatives and those who year after year had seen him as a blind man begging were saying, "Why, isn't this the man we knew, who sat here and begged?"
8 Therefore the neighbors and those who previously had seen that he was blind said, "Is not this he who sat and begged?"
8 His neighbors and others who knew him as a blind beggar asked each other, "Isn't this the man who used to sit and beg?"
9 Some claimed that he was. Others said, "No, he only looks like him." But he himself insisted, "I am the man."
9 Some said, This is he: others said, He is like him: but he said, I am he.
9 Some said, "It is he." Others said, "No, but he is like him." He kept saying, "I am the man."
9 Others said, "It's him all right!" But others objected, "It's not the same man at all. It just looks like him." He said, "It's me, the very one."
9 Some said, "This is he." Others said, "He is like him." He said, "I am he."
9 Some said he was, and others said, "No, he just looks like him!" But the beggar kept saying, "Yes, I am the same one!"
(Read John 9:8-12)
Those whose eyes are opened, and whose hearts are cleansed by grace, being known to be the same person, but widely different in character, live as monuments to the Redeemer's glory, and recommend his grace to all who desire the same precious salvation. It is good to observe the way and method of God's works, and they will appear the more wonderful. Apply this spiritually. In the work of grace wrought upon the soul we see the change, but we see not the hand that makes it: the way of the Spirit is like that of the wind, which thou hearest the sound of, but canst not tell whence it comes, nor whither it goes.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on John 9:8
Commentary on John 9:8-12
(Read John 9:8-12)
Those whose eyes are opened, and whose hearts are cleansed by grace, being known to be the same person, but widely different in character, live as monuments to the Redeemer's glory, and recommend his grace to all who desire the same precious salvation. It is good to observe the way and method of God's works, and they will appear the more wonderful. Apply this spiritually. In the work of grace wrought upon the soul we see the change, but we see not the hand that makes it: the way of the Spirit is like that of the wind, which thou hearest the sound of, but canst not tell whence it comes, nor whither it goes.