“[Pharisees] are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.” (Matt. 15:14)

“[Pharisees] are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.” (Matt. 15:14)

The Bible contains many familiar expressions and idioms that we continue to use to this day. One of them, “the blind leading the blind,” comes directly from Jesus’ teaching as cited above. 

To Jesus, the Pharisees had lost sight of God while focusing on rules and regulations, and thus became like “blind guides” to the Hebrew people. And if the blind lead the blind, they both perish in the pit. 

Only someone who can truly “see” ought to lead, which is why, according to scripture, not all are called to this specific vocation. To be a successful guide to others, one must not only be able to see where they are going but have the humility to refrain from human interpretation of Holy Scripture and/or wanting to make it “fit” into their own prideful interpolation.

Fr. John