The Blind Leading the Blind (Luke 6:39; Matthew 15:14)

The texts below are quoted verbatim from public-domain English translations; nothing is paraphrased.

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St. John Chrysostom (c. 347–407)

Homilies on the Gospel of Matthew, Homily 51 (on Matthew 15:14) Source: trans. in the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series, Vol. 10. Public domain. Full text: https://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf110/npnf110.iii.LI.html

On why Christ leaves the offended Pharisees alone as blind guides:

He did not remove the offense in respect of them, but reproved them, saying, Every plant which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. For He is wont both to despise offenses, and not to despise them. Elsewhere, for example, He saith, But lest we should offend them, cast an hook into the sea: but here He saith, Let them alone, they be blind leaders of the blind: and if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

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St. Cyril of Alexandria (c. 376–444)

Commentary on the Gospel of Luke, Sermon 29 (on Luke 6:39) Source: trans. R. Payne Smith, Library of Fathers, 1859. Public domain. Full text: https://www.tertullian.org/fathers/cyril_on_luke_03_sermons_26_38.htm

On the parable as a necessary lesson for the disciples, the future teachers of the world:

This parable He added as a most necessary appendage to what had been said. The blessed disciples were about to be the initiators and teachers of the world: it was necessary for them therefore to prove themselves possessed of every thing requisite for piety: they must know the pathway of the evangelic mode of life, and be workmen ready for every good work, and able to bestow upon well-instructed hearers such correct and saving teaching as exactly represents the truth. This they must do, as having already first received their sight, and a mind illuminated with the divine light, lest they should be blind leaders of the blind. For it is not possible for men enveloped in the darkness of ignorance, to guide those who are afflicted in the same way into the knowledge of the truth: for should they attempt it, they will both roll into the ditch of licentiousness.

On the disciple who is not above his teacher:

The disciple is not above his teacher; and even if some make such progress, as to attain to a virtue that rivals that of their teachers, they will range themselves no higher than their level, and be their imitators.

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Theophylact of Ohrid (c. 1055–1107)

Explanation of the Gospel of Luke (on Luke 6:39) As preserved in the Catena Aurea on Luke, trans. J. H. Newman, 1841. Public domain. Full text: https://archive.org/details/CatenaAureaNewEdV4

On the judge who sins in the very same way as the man he corrects:

If thou judgest another, and in the very same way sinnest thyself, art not thou like to the blind leading the blind? For how canst thou lead him to good when thou also thyself committest sin? For the disciple is not above his master. If therefore thou sinnest, who thinkest thyself a master and guide, where will he be who is taught and led by thee? For he will be the perfect disciple who is as his master.

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St. Jerome (c. 347–420)

Commentary on Matthew (on Matthew 15:14) As preserved in the Catena Aurea on Matthew. Public domain. Full text: https://www.ccel.org/ccel/aquinas/catena1.ii.xv.html

On the Saviour's command to leave evil teachers to their own will:

This is also the same as that Apostolic injunction, A heretic after the first and second admonition reject, knowing that such a one is perverse. To the same end the Saviour commands evil teachers to be left to their own will, knowing that it is hardly that they can be brought to the truth.

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St. Bede the Venerable (c. 673–735)

Commentary on Luke (on Luke 6:39) As preserved in the Catena Aurea on Luke, trans. J. H. Newman, 1841. Public domain. Full text: https://archive.org/details/CatenaAureaNewEdV4

On the blind heart that cannot cure another's corruption:

the sense of this sentence depends upon the former, in which we are enjoined to give alms, and forgive injuries. If, says He, anger has blinded thee against the violent, and avarice against the grasping, how canst thou with thy corrupt heart cure his corruption? If even thy Master Christ, who as God might revenge His injuries, chose rather by patience to render His persecutors more merciful, it is surely binding on his disciples, who are but men, to follow the same rule of perfection.