Luke 6:39

39 And he also told them a parable: "Surely a blind person cannot lead the blind, [can he]? Will they not both fall into a pit?

Luke 6:39 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 6:39

And he spake a parable unto them
The Vulgate Latin reads, "he spake also a parable unto them"; besides what he said; and the Arabic version renders it, "another similitude", parable, or proverb, distinct from the comparisons, allusions, and proverbial expressions in the preceding verses. Though it should be observed, that these words were not spoken at the same time, nor on the mount, as the foregoing were; but this, and what follow, are a collection of various expressions of Christ at different times, some delivered on the mount, and others elsewhere; unless it should be rather thought, that these proverbs and sentences were repeated at different places and times, which is not improbable:

can the blind lead the blind?
they may do so, as the blind Scribes and Pharisees led the blind people of the Jews, which is what our Lord intends; but if they do, as they did,

shall they not both fall into the ditch?
yes, verily, what else can be expected? (See Gill on Matthew 15:14).

Luke 6:39 In-Context

37 "And do not judge, and you will never be judged. And do not condemn, and you will never be condemned. Pardon, and you will be pardoned.
38 Give, and it will be given to you, a good measure--pressed down, shaken, overflowing--they will pour out into your lap. For with the measure by which you measure out, it will be measured out to you in return."
39 And he also told them a parable: "Surely a blind person cannot lead the blind, [can he]? Will they not both fall into a pit?
40 A disciple is not superior to [his] teacher, but everyone, [when he] is fully trained, will be like his teacher.
41 And why do you see the speck [that is] in your brother's eye, but do not notice the beam of wood [that is] in your own eye?

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. *The negative construction in Greek anticipates a negative answer here, indicated in the translation by the phrase "[can he]"
Scripture quotations marked (LEB) are from the Lexham English Bible. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.