Homilies on the Gospel of John

“Is this your son?” (and they said not, “who once was blind,” but) “of whom you say that he was born blind?”

As if they were acting deceitfully, and plotting on behalf of Christ. O you accursed, utterly accursed! What father would choose to invent such falsehoods against his child? For they almost say, “Whom you have made out blind, and not only so, but have spread abroad the report everywhere.”

“How then does he now see?”

2. O folly! “Yours,” says one, “is the trick and the contrivance.” For by these two things do they attempt to lead the parents to a denial; by using the words, “Whom ye say,” and, “How then does he now see?” Now when there were three questions asked, whether he was their son, whether he had been blind, and how he received his sight, the parents only acknowledged two of them, but do not add the third. And this came to pass for the sake of the truth, in order that none other save the man that was healed, who was also worthy of credit, should acknowledge this matter. And how would the parents have favored (Christ), when even of what they knew some part they spoke not through fear of the Jews? What say they?