Albert Barnes Commentary John 9:8

"The neighbors therefore, and they that saw him aforetime, that he was a beggar, said, Is not this he that sat and begged?" — John 9:8 (ASV)

The neighbours, etc. This man seems to have been one who attracted considerable attention. The number of persons totally blind in any community is very small, and it is possible that this was the only blind beggar in Jerusalem. The case was one, therefore, likely to attract attention, and one where there could be no imposture, as he was generally known.