Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary John 9:17

"They say therefore unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, in that he opened thine eyes? And he said, He is a prophet." — John 9:17 (ASV)

Again the man himself was questioned to help bring a decision in the dispute. His verdict was more definite than the preceding one: “He is a prophet.” The prophets were agents of God, and in some instances they performed miracles (e.g, Elisha, 2 Kings 2:19–22; 4:18–44; 5:1–14). If, then, Jesus had performed an indisputable miracle, it was indisputable evidence that he must have a divine commission. As an emissary of God, he could be empowered to heal on the Sabbath, if necessary.