John 9:36

The man's answer shows that he was willing to believe in the Messiah if he could identify Him; and having already declared Jesus to be a prophet, he believed that He could tell him who the Messiah was. It may be taken for granted that although he had not seen Jesus since recovering his sight, he knew somehow that he was speaking to the person who had healed him; and was perhaps almost prepared for the great announcement (John 9:37): Καὶ ἑώρακας αὐτὸυ, “Thou hast both seen Him,” no doubt: with a reference to the blessing of restored eyesight; καὶ … ἐστιν. This direct revelation, similar to that given to the Samaritan woman (John 4:26), was elicited by the pitiable condition of the man as an outcast from the Jewish community, and by the perception that the man was ripe for faith.