A.T. Robertson 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)

Neighbours (γειτονες). From γη (land), of the same land, old word. See Lu 14:2.

Saw him (θεωρουντες). Present active participle of θεωρεω, who used to observe him.

Aforetime (το προτερον). Adverbial accusative, "the former time," formerly.

That he was a beggar (οτ προσαιτης ην). See 4:19; 12:19 for declarative οτ after θεωρεω. But it is entirely possible that οτ here is "because" (Westcott). Προσαιτης is a late word for beggar, in N.T. only here and Mr 10:46. It is from προσαιτεω, to ask in addition (see προσαιτων below), a thing that beggars know how to do.

Is not this he that sat and begged? (Ουχ ουτος εστιν ο καθημενος κα προσαιτων; ). He had his regular place and was a familiar figure. But now his eyes are wide open.