Bible Strands
Matthew 15:14
Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus speaks this declaration immediately after stating that unrooted plants will be uprooted (Matthew 15:13) and before Peter requests an explanation of the parable (Matthew 15:15). The audience includes His disciples, who are present to receive the instruction.
The words — ἄφετε (aphete) = do leave; τυφλοὶ ὁδηγοί (tuphloi hodēgoi) = blind guides. The text literally commands to "do leave them" and directly labels the subjects "blind guides."
The thread — The warning that blind leaders fall into pits appears in Luke 6:39, while Isaiah 56:10 and Matthew 23:16 similarly characterize corrupt spiritual authorities as blind or blind guides.
Why it lands — The text demands immediate separation from corrupt instruction, plainly stating that following unrooted human leadership results in mutual ruin.
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
Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
Cross-references
- 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?
- 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.
- 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.’
- Isaiah 9:16 For those who guide this people mislead them, and those they mislead are swallowed up.
- Malachi 2:8 But you have departed from the way, and your instruction has caused many to stumble. You have violated the covenant of Levi,” says the LORD of Hosts.
- Isaiah 42:19 Who is blind but My servant, or deaf like the messenger I am sending? Who is blind like My covenant partner, or blind like the servant of the LORD?
- Jeremiah 5:31 The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own authority. My people love it so, but what will you do in the end?
- Ezekiel 14:9 But if the prophet is enticed to speak a message, then it was I the LORD who enticed him, and I will stretch out My hand against him and destroy him from among My people Israel.
- 2 Peter 2:1 Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.
- Revelation 22:15 But outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.