Most translations render the Greek verb (imperfect tense) by asked, though New American Bible translates “began to inquire.” The verb may also have either force.

The adverb again must not be taken to imply that the Pharisees were asking the man a second time how he had received his sight. Again refers back to the question raised by the people in verse 10. To avoid the implication that the Pharisees had previously interrogated the man, it may be necessary to introduce the meaning of again as a separate sentence, for example, “The Pharisees then asked the man how he had been cured of his blindness. This was the second time the man had been questioned” or “… the Pharisees also questioned the man, just as the other people had.”

Only rarely can one translate literally received his sight, since a verb meaning “receive” normally refers to the receipt of some kind of object, while “sight” refers to a state of being, that is, the capacity to see. In many languages one must say “how he had become able to see” or “how he was caused to see.”

The verb washed my face is the same verb as used in verses 7 and 11. Moffatt again translates “I washed them,” referring back to “my eyes.”

And now I can see (so also New English Bible; Jerusalem Bible “and I can see”) is literally the contrast between the present condition of the man and his previous blindness.

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 .