John 9:14 - Clarke's commentary and critical notes on the Bible

And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes. It was the Sabbath - Some of the ancient rabbins taught, and they have been followed by some moderns, not much better skilled in physic than themselves, that the saliva is a cure for several disorders of the eyes; but the former held this to be contrary to the law, if applied on the Sabbath. See Lightfoot's Hor. Talm.