John 9:1

Jesus passed by. [The Man Born Blind, John 9:1-41. See Early Peraean Ministry; The Ministry of Our Lord; on miracles pp. 208-213.] For the chronological setting of this event see on Matt. 19:1. The miracle of healing took place on the Sabbath day (John 9:14), probably the Sabbath following the Feast of Tabernacles with which the events of chs. 7 and 8 were connected (see on chs. 7:2; 8:2). However, it is possible that several months elapsed between the sermon of ch. 8 and the miracle. If so, the incident took place in connection with the visit of Jesus to Jerusalem for the Feast of Dedication a few months later (see on ch. 10:22).

Blind from his birth. Blindness from various causes, especially trachoma, is still common in the East. Of the miracles mentioned in the Gospels, concerning this one only is it noted that the malady had existed from birth.