ACC ~ John 9 v9

THE LONG WALK TO THE POOL ENABLES RECOGNITION

CHRYSOSTOM: Why didn’t he have him wash immediately instead of sending him to Siloam?… For one thing, everyone would probably see him as he was leaving, having the clay spread upon his eyes. The strangeness of this spectacle would most likely focus the attention of everyone on him—both those who knew him and those who did not—everyone would be watching him closely. And, because it is not easy to recognize a blind man who has recovered his sight, Jesus first of all sends him this long distance so that he can be seen by many witnesses. This bizarre spectacle of a man walking with mud on his eyes would make these witnesses even more attentive so that no one could any longer say, “This is not he.” HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 57.1. [1]

[1] NPNF 1 14:204**.