Most translations maintain the literal Semitic expression “to open one’s eyes” when referring to the healing of blindness. Phillips translates “made him able to see.” The statement of the parents may be translated succinctly “We do not know how he is now able to see, and we do not know who caused him to be able to see.”

The expression he is old enough (so also Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible; Moffatt, New English Bible “he is of age”) is perhaps a reference to the age of legal responsibility. Phillips translates “He is a grown-up man.” In many languages it is sufficient to say “he is a man,” though it would be more typical to say in some languages “he is no longer a child.”

He can answer for himself (Moffatt “he can speak for himself”) is actually in the future tense “he will speak for himself” (Revised Standard Version, New English Bible). The meaning is that the man is old enough to speak for himself as a legally responsible person. The New American Bible rendering, “he is old enough to speak for himself,” leaves implicit the meaning “he can speak.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on the Gospel of John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1980. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .