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◄ Matthew 15:14►

New International Version
Leave them; they are blind guides. If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.”

New Living Translation
so ignore them. They are blind guides leading the blind, and if one blind person guides another, they will both fall into a ditch.”

English Standard Version
Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.”

Berean Standard Bible
Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”

Berean Literal Bible
Leave them! They are blind guides of the blind. And ifthe blind leadthe blind, both will fall into a pit."

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

New King James Version
Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.”

New American Standard Bible
Leave them alone; they are blind guides of blind people. And if a person who is blind guidesanother who is blind, both will fall into a pit.”

NASB 1995
“Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if a blind man guides a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”

NASB 1977
“Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if a blind man guides a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if a blind man guides a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”

Amplified Bible
Leave them alone; they are blind guides [leading blind followers]. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”

Christian Standard Bible
Leave them alone! They are blind guides. And if the blind guide the blind, both will fall into a pit.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Leave them alone! They are blind guides. And if the blind guide the blind, both will fall into a pit.”

American Standard Version
Let them alone: they are blind guides. And if the blind guide the blind, both shall fall into a pit.

Contemporary English Version
Stay away from those Pharisees! They are like blind people leading other blind people, and all of them will fall into a ditch."

English Revised Version
Let them alone: they are blind guides. And if the blind guide the blind, both shall fall into a pit.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Leave them alone! They are blind leaders. When one blind person leads another, both will fall into the same pit."

Good News Translation
"Don't worry about them! They are blind leaders of the blind; and when one blind man leads another, both fall into a ditch."

International Standard Version
Leave them alone. They are blind guides of the blind. If one blind person leads another blind person, both will fall into a ditch."

NET Bible
Leave them! They are blind guides. If someone who is blind leads another who is blind, both will fall into a pit."

New Heart English Bible
Leave them alone. They are blind guides of the blind. If the blind guide the blind, both will fall into a pit."

Webster's Bible Translation
Let them alone: they are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leadeth the blind, both will fall into the ditch.

Weymouth New Testament
Leave them alone. They are blind guides of the blind; and if a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into some pit."

Majority Text Translations

Majority Standard Bible
Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”

World English Bible
Leave them alone. They are blind guides of the blind. If the blind guide the blind, both will fall into a pit.”

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
leave them alone, they are guides—blind of blind; and if blind may guide blind, both will fall into a ditch.”

Berean Literal Bible
Leave them! They are blind guides of the blind. And ifthe blind leadthe blind, both will fall into a pit."

Young's Literal Translation
let them alone, guides they are -- blind of blind; and if blind may guide blind, both into a ditch shall fall.'

Smith's Literal Translation
Let them go: they are blind guides of the blind. And if the blind guide the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
Let them alone: they are blind, and leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into the pit.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Leave them alone. They are blind, and they lead the blind. But if the blind are in charge of the blind, both will fall into the pit.”

New American Bible
Let them alone; they are blind guides (of the blind). If a blind person leads a blind person, both will fall into a pit.”

New Revised Standard Version
Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if one blind person guides another, both will fall into a pit.”

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
Leave them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if the blind lead around the blind, both will fall into a pit.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“Let them alone. They are blind guides of the blind; but if a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”

NT Translations

Anderson New Testament
Let them alone; they are blind leaders of the blind; and if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into the pit.

Godbey New Testament
Let them alone: the blind are leaders of the blind: if the blind may lead the blind, both will fall into the ditch.

Haweis New Testament
Leave them to themselves: they are blind leaders of the blind. But if the blind lead the blind, they will both fall into the pit.

Mace New Testament
let them alone: they are blind leaders of the blind, now if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

Weymouth New Testament
Leave them alone. They are blind guides of the blind; and if a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into some pit."

Worrell New Testament
Let them alone; they are blind guides; and if a blind man be guiding a blind man, both will fall into a pit."

Worsley New Testament
Regard them not;for they are blind guides of the blind: and if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into the ditch.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

What Defiles a Man
…13But Jesus replied, “Every plant that My heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by its roots.14Disregard them!They are blind guides.If a blind man leads a blind man,both will fall into a pit.”15Peter said to Him, “Explain this parable to us.”…

Berean Standard Bible ·Download

Cross References

Luke 6:39
Jesus also told them a parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit?

Isaiah 9:16
For those who guide this people mislead them, and those they mislead are swallowed up.

Isaiah 42:19
Who is blind but My servant, or deaf like the messenger I am sending? Who is blind like My covenant partner, or blind like the servant of the LORD?

Romans 2:19
if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those in darkness,

John 9:39-41
Then Jesus declared, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind may see and those who see may become blind.” / Some of the Pharisees who were with Him heard this, and they asked Him, “Are we blind too?” / “If you were blind,” Jesus replied, “you would not be guilty of sin. But since you claim you can see, your guilt remains.”

Isaiah 56:10
Israel’s watchmen are blind, they are all oblivious; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they are dreamers lying around, loving to slumber.

Jeremiah 5:31
The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own authority. My people love it so, but what will you do in the end?

2 Corinthians 4:4
The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Hosea 4:6
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you as My priests. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.

Proverbs 4:19
But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom; they do not know what makes them stumble.

Matthew 23:16-24
Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’ / You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes it sacred? / And you say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gift on it, he is bound by his oath.’ ...

John 12:40
“He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so that they cannot see with their eyes, and understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.”

Ezekiel 13:10
Because they have led My people astray, saying, ‘Peace,’ when there is no peace, and whitewashing any flimsy wall that is built,

1 Timothy 1:7
They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not understand what they are saying or that which they so confidently assert.

Isaiah 6:9-10
And He replied: “Go and tell this people, ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ / Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”

Treasury of Scripture

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

Let.

Hosea 4:17
Ephraimis joined to idols: let him alone.

1 Timothy 6:5
Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

they.

Matthew 23:16-24
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! …

Isaiah 9:16
For the leaders of this people causethem to err; andthey that are led of themare destroyed.

Isaiah 42:19
Whois blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messengerthat I sent? whois blind ashe that is perfect, and blind as the LORD'S servant?

And if.

Jeremiah 5:31
The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people loveto have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?

Jeremiah 6:15
Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the timethat I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the LORD.

Jeremiah 8:12
Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore shall they fall among them that fall: in the time of their visitation they shall be cast down, saith the LORD.

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Matthew 15

1.Jesus reproves the Scribes and Pharisees
7.for transgressing God's commandments through their own traditions;
10.teaches how that which goes into the mouth does not defile a man.
21.He heals the daughter of the woman of Canaan,
29.and other great multitudes;
32.and with seven loaves and a few small fish feeds four thousand men

Study Bible

Book ◦ Chapter

Disregard them!
In this context, Jesus is speaking about the Pharisees and religious leaders who were offended by His teachings. The command to "disregard" them highlights the need to prioritize God's truth over human traditions. This echoes the Old Testament warnings against false prophets and teachers who lead people away from God's commandments (Jeremiah 23:16). The emphasis is on discerning true spiritual authority and not being swayed by those who appear religious but lack genuine understanding.

They are blind guides.
The metaphor of "blind guides" is a powerful image illustrating the spiritual blindness of the Pharisees. Despite their knowledge of the Law, they failed to recognize Jesus as the Messiah and misunderstood the heart of God's commandments. This blindness is not physical but spiritual, indicating a lack of insight and understanding. The term "guide" suggests a role of leadership and responsibility, which makes their blindness even more perilous. This concept is further explored inIsaiah 42:18-20, where the blindness of Israel's leaders is lamented.

If a blind man leads a blind man,
This phrase underscores the danger of following leaders who lack true spiritual vision. In the cultural context of the time, guides were essential for safe travel, especially in unfamiliar or treacherous terrain. The imagery of a blind man leading another blind man highlights the futility and risk of such a situation. It serves as a warning to the followers of the Pharisees, urging them to seek leaders who have genuine insight and understanding of God's will.

both will fall into a pit.”
The "pit" symbolizes destruction and calamity, a common metaphor in biblical literature for the consequences of sin and poor judgment (Psalm 7:15). In the historical context, pits were often used as traps or storage, and falling into one could be dangerous or fatal. This phrase warns of the inevitable downfall that results from following spiritually blind leaders. It emphasizes the importance of discernment and the need to follow those who truly understand and live by God's Word. The imagery also foreshadows the ultimate judgment and separation from God that awaits those who reject His truth.

Persons / Places / Events

1.Jesus Christ
The speaker of this verse, addressing His disciples about the Pharisees.

2.Pharisees
A religious group in Judaism known for strict adherence to the Law and traditions, whom Jesus criticizes for their hypocrisy.

3.Disciples
Followers of Jesus who are being instructed by Him in this passage.

4.Blind Guides
A metaphor used by Jesus to describe the Pharisees, indicating their spiritual blindness and inability to lead others.

5.Pit
Symbolic of spiritual ruin or destruction, representing the consequences of following false leaders.

Teaching Points

Spiritual Discernment
Believers must exercise discernment in choosing whom to follow, ensuring their leaders are aligned with biblical truth.

Consequences of Blind Leadership
Following leaders who are spiritually blind can lead to personal and communal spiritual downfall.

Self-Examination
Christians should regularly examine their own spiritual sight, ensuring they are not blind to God's truth.

Responsibility of Leaders
Those in leadership positions within the church must seek God's wisdom and guidance to lead others effectively.

Avoiding Hypocrisy
Like the Pharisees, Christians must guard against hypocrisy, ensuring their actions align with their professed beliefs.

Bible Study Questions and Answers

1.What is the meaning of Matthew 15:14?

2.How can we avoid being "blind guides" in our spiritual leadership today?

3.What steps ensure we follow leaders aligned with biblical truth, not "blind guides"?

4.How does Matthew 15:14 relate to Proverbs 3:5-6 about trusting God?

5.In what ways can we discern spiritual blindness in ourselves and others?

6.How can Matthew 15:14 inspire us to seek wisdom and guidance from God?

7.What does "blind guides" mean in Matthew 15:14, and who are they referring to?

8.How does Matthew 15:14 challenge religious authority and leadership?

9.Why does Jesus use the metaphor of "blind leading the blind" in Matthew 15:14?

10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Matthew 15?

11.What happens when the blind lead the blind?

12.What happens when the blind lead the blind?

13.What does spiritual blindness mean?

14.Why has no amputee ever regrown a limb through prayer?

What Does Matthew 15:14 Mean

Disregard them!

“Disregard them!” (Matthew 15:14)

• Jesus speaks of the Pharisees who have rejected His teaching (Matthew 15:12–13).

• To “disregard” means to turn away from their influence—do not give their words authority over your conscience (Acts 5:29).

• Scripture often calls believers to separate from error: “Come out from among them and be separate” (2 Corinthians 6:17); “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness” (Ephesians 5:11).

• The command carries urgency: lingering with false teachers corrodes faith (2 Timothy 2:17).

They are blind guides

“They are blind guides.”

• Blindness here is spiritual, not physical (John 9:40–41). The Pharisees knew Scripture yet missed its fulfillment in Christ (John 5:39–40).

• A guide is entrusted to lead others safely (Psalm 23:3); blindness makes that role impossible, exposing followers to danger (Isaiah 56:10–11).

• Jesus later repeats the charge: “Woe to you, blind guides” (Matthew 23:16). The repetition underscores their settled condition, not a temporary lapse.

• Paul describes the same state: “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers” (2 Corinthians 4:4).

If a blind man leads a blind man

“If a blind man leads a blind man…”

• Influence is inevitable; someone will guide us. The question is who (Proverbs 13:20).

• When both leader and follower lack spiritual sight, ignorance compounds: error feels normal, opposition to truth feels righteous (Isaiah 5:20).

• Jesus’ warning is collective—leaders are accountable for misleading, yet followers are responsible for whom they choose to follow (Matthew 7:24–27).

• Elijah’s day illustrates this dynamic: Israel followed blind King Ahab and fell into idolatry (1 Kings 18:17–18).

Both will fall into a pit

“…both will fall into a pit.”

• The pit pictures disastrous consequence—physical danger points to ultimate spiritual ruin (Proverbs 28:10).

• Judgment is impartial: position or pedigree cannot shield anyone from truth’s outcome (Romans 2:11).

• Jesus stresses certainty: not might fall, but will. False teaching guarantees collapse, just as a faulty foundation brings a house down (Matthew 7:27).

•Revelation 22:15 shows the final “outside” place for those who persist in deceit, confirming the seriousness of the pit.

Application

• Test every teacher by the written Word (Acts 17:11;1 John 4:1).

• Choose companions and mentors who follow Christ wholeheartedly (Hebrews 13:7).

• Stay humble; the Pharisees’ blindness began with pride (James 4:6).

• Pray for discernment and courage to “disregard” voices—even popular ones—that contradict Scripture (Galatians 1:8–9).

summary

Matthew 15:14 warns that religious leaders can be spiritually blind, and following them leads to mutual ruin. Jesus commands His disciples to turn away from such teachers, trust Scripture, and seek guides who see clearly in the light of Christ.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(14)They be blind leaders of the blind.--It would appear fromRomans 2:19 that the phrase was one in common use to describe the ideal of the Rabbi's calling. Now they heard it in a new form, which told them that their state was the very reverse of that ideal. And that which was worst in it was that their blindness was self-chosen (Matthew 13:15), and that they were yet all unconscious of it, and boasted that they saw (John 9:41).

If the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.--The proverb was probably a familiar one (it is given in St.Luke 6:39 as part of the Sermon on the Plain), but, as now spoken, it had the character of a prophecy. We have but to read the Jewish historian's account of the years that preceded the destruction of Jerusalem to see what the "ditch" was towards which teachers and people were alike blindly hastening. Bitter sectarianism, and wild dreams, and baseless hopes, and maddened zeal, and rejection of the truth which alone had power to save them, this was the issue which both were preparing for themselves, and from which there was no escape.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 14. -Let them alone. Do not trouble yourselves about them; let them be offended, if they will.Blind leaders of the blind. Both teachers and taught are alike ignorant of the truth. The people had no spiritual light, and, applying to their appointed pastors, they learned nothing profitable from them; for these were as much in the dark as themselves. It was evident, then, that the rabbis ought not to be followed unreservedly.If the blind. A proverbial saying. Comp. Horat., 'Epp.,' I, 17:3 -

"... ut si
Caecus iter monstrare velit." And the Greek adage,Μήτε τυφλὸν ὁδηγόν,μήτε ἐκνόητον σύμβουλον. Nosgen calls attention to the order of the words,Τυφλὸςδὲ τυφλὸν ἐὰν ὁδηγῇ, "Blind blind if he lead," which, while it substantiates the advice, "Let them alone," forcibly expresses the fatal result of this guidance.Theditch (βόθυνον);apitfall (comp.Isaiah 24:17, 18, Septuagint, where it is used as the translation of the Hebrewpachath, a pit in which wild animals are taken). The "ditch" in one sense is unbelief in Christ, to which rabbinical teaching undoubtedly led. In another sense it adumbrates the ruin in which these false principles would involve the Jewish polity and people. It is obvious that the rejection of the Messiah drew down the punishment which has made the Hebrew nation an astonishment to all the world.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

Disregard
ἄφετε(aphete)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 863:From apo and hiemi; to send forth, in various applications.

them!
αὐτούς(autous)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

They are
εἰσιν(eisin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1510:I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

blind
τυφλοί(typhloi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5185:Blind, physically or mentally. From, tuphoo; opaque, i.e. blind.

guides.
ὁδηγοί(hodēgoi)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3595:A leader, guide; met: an instructor, teacher. From hodos and hegeomai; a conductor (teacher).

If
ἐὰν(ean)
Conjunction
Strong's 1437:If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.

[a] blind [man]
τυφλὸς(typhlos)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5185:Blind, physically or mentally. From, tuphoo; opaque, i.e. blind.

leads
ὁδηγῇ(hodēgē)
Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3594:To lead, guide; met: I instruct, teach. From hodegos; to show the way (teach).

[a] blind [man],
τυφλὸν(typhlon)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5185:Blind, physically or mentally. From, tuphoo; opaque, i.e. blind.

both
ἀμφότεροι(amphoteroi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 297:Both (of two). Comparative of amphi; both.

will fall
πεσοῦνται(pesountai)
Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 4098:A reduplicated and contracted form of peto; probably akin to petomai through the idea of alighting; to fall.

into
εἰς(eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519:A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

a pit.”
βόθυνον(bothynon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 999:A pit, ditch. Akin to bathuno; a hole; specially, a cistern.

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NT Gospels: Matthew 15:14 Leave them alone (Matt. Mat Mt)