When did the brother of Jared know?

I’m reading Ether chapter 3 and I’m confused. I can’t figure out the point at which the brother of Jared had knowledge. For this discussion, let’s all assume that this is referring to a literal event, btw. So he’s praying:

O Lord, thou hast said that we must be encompassed about by the floods. Now behold, O Lord, and do not be angry with thy servant because of his weakness before thee; for we know that thou art holy and dwellest in the heavens… And I know, O Lord, that thou hast all power, and can do whatsoever thou wilt for the benefit of man… Behold, O Lord, thou canst do this. We know that thou art able to show forth great power, which looks small unto the understanding of men. (Emphasis added – from Ether 3:2,4-5)

He had great faith, but he also says “we know” and “I know.” The Lord extends his hand and touches the stones with his finger and the “veil was taken from off the eyes of the brother of Jared, and he saw the finger of the Lord.” So I guess the veil had to be suspended or something just to see the Lord’s finger. The Lord then showed himself.

Why was the brother of Jared blessed with that experience? Moroni wrote, “because of the knowledge of this man he could not be kept from beholding within the veil” (verse 19). Does that mean he had knowledge before the veil was suspended and that’s what caused it to be so? In the same verse Moroni then wrote, “and he had faith no longer, for he knew, nothing doubting.” Is that referring to knowledge he had before the Lord showed himself or did he have greater knowledge after being ministered to? The following verse says, “Wherefore, having this perfect knowledge of God, he could not be kept from within the veil” Hmmm, so he had a perfect knowledge and, because of that, the veil was suspended for him‽

As you can tell, this isn’t making sense to me right now.