What does John 9:36 mean?

Jesus was not there when a blind man completed His instructions (John 9:6–7) and obtained vision. All the newly-healed man knows is that someone—sent from God—has given him the sight he'd never had (John 9:1–2, 11). After being insulted and abused by local religious leaders, the man is found again by Jesus.

Christ asked this formerly blind man if he believed in the Son of Man (John 9:35). This phrase is heavily tied to the Jewish concept of the Messiah (Daniel 7:13; 9:25). The now-seeing beggar has admitted that he knows very little about Jesus (John 9:25). Yet he certainly believes Jesus is operating on divine power (John 9:30–33).

Here, the man responds to Jesus' question with an admission of his own ignorance. This statement harmonizes with the cry of the father of a demon-possessed boy: "I believe; help my unbelief!" (Mark 9:24). Here, the healed man wants to follow the truth, but simply does not know how. This is a strong contrast to hard-headed scribes and Pharisees (John 5:39–40); they know more than enough about the Scriptures, but "refuse" to follow them by accepting Christ.

As promised (Matthew 7:7), Jesus will respond to sincere seeking, and give this man the wisdom he needs.