Luke 6:39

And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?

And {G1161} he spake {G2036} a parable {G3850} unto them {G846},{G3385} Can {G1410} the blind {G5185} lead {G3594} the blind {G5185}? shall they {G297} not {G3780} both {G297} fall {G4098} into {G1519} the ditch {G999}?

He also told them a parable: "Can one blind man lead another blind man? Won't they both fall into a pit?

Jesus also told them a parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit?

And he spake also a parable unto them, Can the blind guide the blind? shall they not both fall into a pit?

Commentary

Context of Luke 6:39

This powerful parable, "Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?", is part of Jesus' broader teachings often referred to as the Sermon on the Plain (Luke 6:17-49). Following His call to love enemies and judge righteously, Jesus emphasizes the critical importance of spiritual discernment, particularly for those who would teach or guide others. The verse immediately precedes the well-known saying about the speck and the log (Luke 6:41-42) and the principle that a good tree bears good fruit (Luke 6:43-45), all of which underscore the need for internal transformation before attempting to guide others.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Spiritual Discernment: The parable highlights the absolute necessity of spiritual insight and understanding for anyone who presumes to lead or teach others. Without it, both the leader and the led are in peril.
  • Competent Leadership: Jesus warns against the dangers of unqualified or spiritually ignorant leadership. A guide must first possess clear vision to navigate the path safely.
  • Consequences of Misguidance: The vivid imagery of "falling into the ditch" illustrates the inevitable negative outcomes when those who lack true understanding attempt to lead. Both the blind leader and the blind follower suffer the same fate.
  • Self-Examination: Implicit in the parable is a call for self-reflection. Before attempting to correct or guide others, one must first ensure their own spiritual "sight" is clear. This theme is further developed in the subsequent verses about the speck and the log.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV uses the word "blind" (Greek: typhlos), which literally means physically blind, but in this context, it carries a profound metaphorical meaning of spiritual blindness or lack of understanding. The "ditch" (Greek: bothynos) refers to a pit or hole, a common hazard for travelers. The simplicity of the imagery makes the message universally understandable: a lack of clear vision, especially in spiritual matters, leads to disastrous consequences for all involved.

Practical Application

Luke 6:39 remains highly relevant for Christians today, offering guidance for both leaders and followers:

  • For Leaders: Those in positions of spiritual authority (pastors, teachers, mentors) must diligently seek wisdom from God and ensure their own understanding of Scripture and spiritual truth is sound. Leading others without true insight can cause great harm.
  • For Followers: Believers are called to exercise discernment and not blindly follow any teaching or leader without testing it against the truth of God's Word (Acts 17:11). It's crucial to evaluate teachings and ensure they align with sound doctrine.
  • Personal Growth: This parable challenges every individual to cultivate their own spiritual sight through prayer, study of the Bible, and reliance on the Holy Spirit. Only with clear spiritual vision can one truly walk in the path of righteousness and help others to do the same. This teaching parallels the warning against blind guides found in Matthew 15:14.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 15:14 (9 votes)

    Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

  • 2 Timothy 3:13 (7 votes)

    But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

  • Matthew 23:16 (4 votes)

    Woe unto you, [ye] blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!

  • Matthew 23:26 (4 votes)

    [Thou] blind Pharisee, cleanse first that [which is] within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.

  • 1 Timothy 6:3 (4 votes)

    If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, [even] the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;

  • 1 Timothy 6:5 (4 votes)

    Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

  • Isaiah 56:10 (4 votes)

    His watchmen [are] blind: they are all ignorant, they [are] all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.