BLIND LEADING THE BLIND

Jesus delivered this parable in Luke’s gospel, “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit?” He is addressing the religious heart of the Pharisees who are offended by his teaching. In Matthew’s gospel it is recorded this way, “Let them alone; they are blind guides.  And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.”

It is clear that the substance of Jesus’ thought is that a blind guide will lead one into blindness. “The blind leaders and the blind followers will perish together,” writes Matthew Henry. If the leader is blind and causes the follower to be blind… they fall into the same pit (some versions say ditch) together.

We must be very careful who we listen to, what we read, how we think concerning the things of the gospel. We must have wisdom concerning our guides (teachers, preachers, friends, trusted ones), the messages we hear and careful wisdom about pits and ditches. If not: we are all vulnerable to being led into a pit.

“Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit?  A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.” Jesus