Luke 6:39

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Luke 6:39 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And he spake also a parable unto them, Can the blind guide the blind? shall they not both fall into a pit?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And he spake also a parable unto them, Can the blind guide the blind? shall they not both fall into a pit?
Luke 6:39 — American Standard Version

Context — Luke 6

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
39And he spake also a parable unto them, Can the blind guide the blind? shall they not both fall into a pit?

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And he spake a parable unto them, etc.] The Vulgate Latin reads, “he spake also a parable unto them”; besides what he said; and the Arabic version renders it, “another similitude”, parable, or proverb, distinct from the comparisons, allusions, and proverbial expressions in the preceding verses. Though it should be observed, that these words were not spoken at the same time, nor on the mount, as the foregoing were; but this, and what follow, are a collection of various expressions of Christ at different times, some delivered on the mount, and others elsewhere; unless it should be rather thought, that these proverbs and sentences were repeated at different places and times, which is not…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Can the blind, &c.--not in the Sermon on the Mount, but recorded by Matthew in another and very striking connection (Mat 15:14).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“See this passage fully illustrated in the sermon on the mount, in Matt. 5–7. Luke 6:21 That hunger now - Matthew has it, “that hunger and thirst after righteousness.” Matthew has expressed more fully what Luke has briefly, but there is no contradiction. Luke 6:24-26 These verses have been omitted by Matthew. They seem to have been spoken to the Pharisees. Who are rich - In this world’s goods. They loved them; they had sought for them; they found their consolation in them. It implies, farther, that they would not seek or receive consolation from the gospel. They were proud, and would not seek it; satisfied, and did not desire it; filled with cares, and had no time or disposition to attend to…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“He spake a parable - Our Lord sometimes used parables when he knew plain and open declarations would too much inflame the passions of his hearers. It is for this reason he uses this parable, Can the blind lead the blind? - Can the scribes teach this way, which they know not themselves? Will not they and their scholars perish together? Can they make their disciples any better than themselves? But as for those who will be my disciples, they shall be all taught of God; who will enable them to come to the measure of the stature of the fulness of their Master. Be not ye like their disciples, censuring others, and not amending yourselves. Mat 15:14. Luke 6:40”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Can: Isa 9:16, Isa 56:10; Mat 15:14, Mat 23:16-26; Rom 2:19; Ti1 6:3-5; Ti2 3:13 shall: Jer 6:15, Jer 8:12, Jer 14:15, Jer 14:16; Mic 3:6, Mic 3:7; Zac 11:15-17; Mat 23:33 Luke 6:40”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification