Bible Strands
Luke 6:39
Jesus also told them a parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit?
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus delivers this parable to his immediate audience right after teaching on generous giving and before explaining the dynamic between a student and a master. The words — παραβολὴν (parabolēn) marks the figurative teaching method, while τυφλὸς (tuphlos) literally names the subject as blind. The thread — The identical warning appears in Matthew 15:14, while 2 Timothy 3:13 and Isaiah 9:16 trace the pattern of deceptive leadership and mutual ruin. Why it lands — The text states that an unqualified guide will cause mutual destruction, requiring readers to examine their own spiritual sight before attempting to direct others.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?
Cross-references
- Matthew 15:14 Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”
- 2 Timothy 3:13 while evil men and imposters go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
- Isaiah 9:16 For those who guide this people mislead them, and those they mislead are swallowed up.
- Jeremiah 14:15 Therefore this is what the LORD says about the prophets who prophesy in My name: I did not send them, yet they say, ‘No sword or famine will touch this land.’ By sword and famine these very prophets will meet their end!
- Matthew 23:16 Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’
- 1 Timothy 6:3 If anyone teaches another doctrine and disagrees with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and with godly teaching,
- Isaiah 56:10 Israel’s watchmen are blind, they are all oblivious; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they are dreamers lying around, loving to slumber.
- Jeremiah 6:15 Are they ashamed of the abomination they have committed? No, they have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush. So they will fall among the fallen; when I punish them, they will collapse,” says the LORD.
- Jeremiah 8:12 Are they ashamed of the abomination they have committed? No, they have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush. So they will fall among the fallen; when I punish them, they will collapse, says the LORD.
- Zechariah 11:15 And the LORD said to me: “Take up once more the equipment of a foolish shepherd.