John 9:1

This whole chapter is devoted to the healing of a man born blind, the sixth of the seven signs, and to the discussions afterward which derived from the impact of so great a wonder upon the man himself, his parents, the neighbors, and the religious hierarchy. Presented with remarkable fullness of detail, this great sign, in addition to being a witness of Jesus' deity, was also designed as a type of Jesus' saving men from their sins.

SIXTH OF THE SEVEN GREAT SIGNS

And as he passed by, he saw a man blind from his birth. (John 9:1)

The length of the time-lapse between this and the preceding chapters is uncertain. John wrote long after the events narrated, and he did not always give the exact chronology of the events recorded.

As he passed by ... Many of life's greatest opportunities occur unexpectedly and incidentally to life's normal progression.

He saw a man ... Jesus saw the human tragedy beneath the beggar's shirt. When men look upon each other they are inclined to see a doctor, a farmer, a rich man, or a beggar, etc.; but Jesus always looks upon the man himself.

Blind from his birth ... This was mentioned because healing of the congenitally blind has ever been impossible for men.