Paragraph 6:39–40

6:39

In 6:39, Jesus told a proverb about two blind men. It is a warning. Jesus said that a blind person cannot lead another blind person. The result would be disaster. The rhetorical question form emphasizes the warning. It warns the disciples to be careful whom they follow. It also warns them not to be like a blind leader.

6:39a

Jesus also told them a parable: Luke used this clause to introduce the parable that Jesus spoke to the disciples.

parable: In this context the word parable refers to a proverb or short illustration that teaches a spiritual truth. See parable, Type 1, in the Glossary and the note on 5:36a.

Here is another way to translate the word parable in this context:

illustration (NET Bible)

6:39b

Can a blind man lead a blind man?: This is a rhetorical question. Jesus used this rhetorical question to emphasize something that is not possible. No blind man can lead another blind man. This proverb refers to an unwise leader leading others.

Some ways to translate this emphasis are:

• As a rhetorical question. If your language uses rhetorical questions to make emphatic statements, then you can translate this as a rhetorical question. For example:

Can one blind person lead another? (God’s Word)
-or-
Can a blind person lead another blind person? No! (New Century Version)

• As a statement. If you language does not use rhetorical questions to make emphatic statements, then you need to find another way to emphasize this statement. For example:

One blind man cannot lead another one… (Good News Translation)
-or-
A blind man certainly cannot lead another blind man.

Translate this emphasis in a way that is natural in your language.

6:39c

Will they not both fall into a pit?: This is a second rhetorical question. Jesus used this rhetorical question to emphasize the disaster that would happen when a blind man leads a blind man. Both blind men would surely fall into a pit. This part of the proverb refers to the disaster that happens when a false teacher leads someone.

Some ways to translate this emphasis are:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

Won’t they both fall into a pit? (NET Bible)

• As a statement. For example:

Surely they will both fall into the ditch together. (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
The first one will fall into a ditch and pull the other down also. (New Living Translation (1996))

Translate this emphasis in a way that is natural in your language.

This question includes the implied information “if a blind man does lead another…” You may want to make this explicit. For example:

if he does, both will fall into a ditch (Good News Translation)

pit: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as a pit (and some other English versions translate as a “ditch”) could refers to:

(1) A large hole or trench that is dug by people.

(2) A natural depression in the ground.

In either case, it was a space large enough for people to fall into.

General Comment on 6:39b–c

It may be more natural in your language to combine these two rhetorical questions into one statement. For example:

If a blind person leads another blind person, they will both stumble and fall into a ditch.
-or-
It is impossible for a blind person to lead another blind person, because both of them will fall into a pit.

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