Luke 6 39

Luke 6:39 kjv

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

Luke 6:39 nkjv

And He spoke a parable to them: "Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into the ditch?

Luke 6:39 niv

He also told them this parable: "Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a pit?

Luke 6:39 esv

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

Luke 6:39 nlt

Then Jesus gave the following illustration: "Can one blind person lead another? Won't they both fall into a ditch?

Luke 6 verses

Luke 6 39 Meaning

Luke 6:39 presents a rhetorical question from Jesus, emphasizing the futility and danger of a spiritually unseeing person attempting to guide another who is similarly blind. It implies that if a leader lacks genuine insight, wisdom, or moral understanding, both the leader and the led will inevitably suffer adverse consequences, depicted by falling into a ditch or pit. The verse serves as a cautionary warning against following unqualified or corrupt leadership and highlights the necessity for spiritual guides to possess true sight themselves.

Luke 6 39 Context

Luke 6:39 appears within Jesus' extended discourse often referred to as the "Sermon on the Plain" (Lk 6:20-49), which parallels elements of Matthew's Sermon on the Mount. Immediately prior, Jesus has called His twelve apostles (Lk 6:12-16) and ministered to a large crowd, teaching about blessings, woes, love for enemies, and judging others. This particular verse forms part of a series of proverbial teachings (Lk 6:39-42) concerning judgment, hypocrisy, and the relationship between a teacher and a student. It serves as a stark warning and a principle about spiritual leadership and the necessity of personal spiritual insight before attempting to guide others. Historically and culturally, the Jewish people were accustomed to religious leaders (Pharisees, Scribes) who claimed spiritual authority, yet Jesus frequently exposed their spiritual blindness and hypocrisy, making this proverb a direct critique against such misleading guidance.

Luke 6 39 Word analysis

• Can (δύναται, dynamai): "To be able," "to have power," "to be possible." This Greek term highlights the capacity or lack thereof. The rhetorical question posits an impossibility, underlining that the very nature of blindness prevents one from truly leading others out of it. It implies an inherent inability, not merely a poor performance.
• the blind (τυφλός, typhlos): This Greek word denotes someone unable to see physically, but in the New Testament, Jesus consistently uses it metaphorically for spiritual ignorance, moral corruption, and a lack of understanding of God's truth. It points to a deep spiritual incapacity or moral failure rather than merely a physical disability. The term here describes both the prospective leader and the prospective follower, emphasizing their shared inability to perceive the path ahead.
• lead (ὁδηγεῖν, hodēgein): "To guide," "to show the way," "to lead on a journey." This term implies an act of conscious direction, taking responsibility for another's path. In a spiritual context, it refers to teaching, instructing, and modeling behavior. The inherent irony is that a blind person cannot discern the way themselves, let alone guide others.
• the blind (τυφλός, typhlos): Repetition emphasizes the shared state of incapacity, reinforcing the utter folly of the situation.
• Will they not both (οὐχὶ ἀμφότεροι, ouchi amphoteroi): "Not both," "certainly both." This is a strong rhetorical negative, expecting an affirmative answer. It stresses the inevitability of the outcome. The fate of both is inextricably linked to their shared spiritual condition and their misguided attempt at leading/following.
• fall (πεσοῦνται, pesountai): "To fall," "to perish," "to come to ruin." This Greek word conveys the consequence – a detrimental, disastrous outcome. It's not just a stumble, but a severe fall into a place of danger or destruction.
• into a ditch (εἰς βόθυνον, eis bothynon): "Into a pit," "a hole," "a ditch," "a cesspool." This refers to a literal pitfall or trap, symbolizing spiritual ruin, error, or danger. It could be a place of physical danger, but metaphorically, it represents grave error, spiritual deception, or a state of moral ruin. The image is one of inescapable harm and peril for both leader and led.

Words-group analysis:

• "Can the blind lead the blind?": This is a direct challenge to the notion of unqualified leadership. It posits that a leader must first possess what they intend to impart. If they lack spiritual insight or true understanding of God's way, they cannot effectively guide others on that path. It’s a powerful critique against religious hypocrisy and external religiosity that lacks inner transformation.
• "Will they not both fall into a ditch?": This completes the rhetorical question by presenting the unavoidable and tragic consequence. It underscores the responsibility of the leader, but also implicitly warns the follower. Choosing to follow a spiritually unseeing leader leads to a shared downfall. The "ditch" represents ruin, spiritual confusion, or deviation from God's truth.

Luke 6 39 Bonus section

• This proverb immediately precedes Luke 6:40, "A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher." This linkage emphasizes that disciples will become like their teachers, reinforcing the imperative that teachers must possess genuine spiritual insight, otherwise their followers will inherit their blindness.
• The rhetorical nature of the question (ἀμφότεροι, both) expects a strong affirmative answer, driving home the inescapable consequence. It’s not just likely, but inevitable.
• The imagery of "falling into a ditch" evokes an immediate sense of danger, clumsiness, and perhaps public ridicule or disgrace, fitting for Jesus’ parables that often used everyday, relatable scenarios to convey deep spiritual truths.

Luke 6 39 Commentary

Luke 6:39 is a concise, yet profound, statement from Jesus, acting as a crucial caution against misguided spiritual leadership and thoughtless discipleship. It reveals a fundamental principle: one cannot lead others where they themselves have not gone or cannot see. The primary audience for this teaching would have been His disciples and the listening crowds, preparing them for genuine spiritual insight required for kingdom living.

The "blind" here refers not to physical sight, but spiritual blindness—an inability to grasp God's truth, understand His will, or walk in His ways. This condition can arise from self-righteousness, prejudice, hardness of heart, or adherence to false traditions. Jesus often applied this critique to the Pharisees and religious elite of His day who, despite their esteemed positions, failed to see and embrace the truth of His messianic claims and teachings (Matt 15:14).

The "ditch" represents ruin, error, or destruction. It highlights the serious implications of both blind leadership and blind obedience. If a leader is not truly converted or filled with divine wisdom, they are incapable of leading others into truth and righteousness. Simultaneously, individuals who uncritically follow such leaders are equally at risk. This proverb emphasizes the critical importance of discernment for both those who aspire to lead and those who choose whom to follow. It compels followers to critically evaluate the spiritual sight of their leaders, recognizing that superficial or worldly guidance ultimately leads astray. Ultimately, only Christ, "the Light of the world" (Jn 8:12), can truly guide because He is never blind.