Tractates on the Gospel of John

^12. “They cursed him, and said, You are his disciple.” Such a malediction be upon us, and upon our children! For a malediction it is, if you lay open their heart, not if you ponder the words. “But we are Moses' disciples. We know that God spoke unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is.” Would ye had known that “God spoke to Moses!” ye would have also known that God preached by Moses. For you have the Lord saying, “Had ye believed Moses, you would have also believed me; for he wrote of me.” Is it thus ye follow the servant, and turn your back against the Lord? But not even the servant do ye follow; for by him ye would be guided to the Lord.

13. “The man answered and said unto them, Herein is a marvellous thing, that you know not from whence he is, and yet he has opened my eyes. Now we know that God hears not sinners; but if any man is a worshipper of God, and does His will, him He hears.” He speaks still as one only anointed. For God hears even sinners. For if God heard not sinners, in vain would the publican, casting his eyes on the ground, and smiting on his breast, have said, “Lord, be merciful to me a sinner.” And that confession merited justification, as this blind man enlightenment. “Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind. If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.” With frankness, constancy, and truthfulness [he spoke]. For these things that were done by the Lord, by whom were they done but by God? Or when would such things be done by disciples, were not the Lord dwelling in them?

14. “They answered and said unto him, You were wholly born in sins.” What means this “wholly”? Even to blindness of the eyes. But He who has opened his eyes, also saves him wholly: He will grant a resurrection at His right hand, who gave enlight enment to his countenance. “You were altogether born in sins, and do you teach us? And they cast him out.” They had made him their master; many questions had they asked for their own instruction, and they ungratefully cast forth their teacher.