Albert Barnes Commentary John 9:24

"So they called a second time the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give glory to God: we know that this man is a sinner." — John 9:24 (ASV)

Give God the praise. This expression seems to be a form of administering an oath. It is used in Joshua 7:19, when Achan was put on his oath and urged to confess his guilt. Joshua said, My son, I pray you, give glory to the Lord God of Israel (in the Greek of the Septuagint, the very expression used in John, Give God the praise), and make confession to him.

This is equivalent to an adjuration in the presence of God to acknowledge the truth, since telling the truth would be giving God praise, confessing the matter before him, and trusting to his mercy.

Compare to 1 Samuel 6:5.

The meaning here is not "give God praise for healing you," for they were not willing to admit that he had been cured (John 9:18). Instead, they meant, "Confess that there is imposture in the case—that you have told us a falsehood, that you have tried to impose on us."

By thus confessing your sin, you would give praise and honor to God, who condemns all imposture and falsehood, and whom you would thus acknowledge to be right in your condemnation.

To induce him to do this, they added that they knew, or were satisfied, that Jesus was a sinner. Since they considered that point settled, they urged him to confess that he had attempted to impose on them.

We know. We have settled that. He has broken the Sabbath, and that leaves no doubt.

A sinner. A violator of the law respecting the Sabbath, and an impostor (John 9:16).