This healing followed the events recorded in chapter 7, but we are not told exactly when. The indication is that it was on a Sabbath soon after the Feast of Tabernacles. Edersheim, among others, feels that it occurred on the day after the Octave of the Feast.

It probably happened at the entrance to the Temple or close to the Temple. This was the most common place for beggars and the speed with which the man and his parents appeared before the Pharisees indicate a proximity to the area.

The man would normally be soliciting alms with such words as “Gain merit by me” or “O, tenderhearted, by me gain merit, to thine own benefit” which were common at that time. (Edersheim) The blind were especially blessed by the Jews with alms. The man must have been a well-recognized figure since nothing is said to indicate how it was known that he was blind from birth.

Notice that this healing is totally initiated by Jesus. This blind man doesn’t ask Jesus for healing.

This man is symbolical of all men; we are all born spiritually blind and in need of the illumination that only Christ, the Light of the world, can give. In fact, this whole passage has very strong and very obvious spiritual symbolism.