[Greek] τυφλός (typhlos), [Latin] caecus, [German] blind: blind, not able to understand, short-sighted, opaque; 53 scriptural references
The Blind Leading the Blind: painting by Danish Renaissance painter Peter Bruegel (1568) based on Mt. 15:14. The first blind man falls into a pit.
Background information:
The Blind Leading the Blind: This painting reflects Bruegel’s mastery of observation. Each figure has a different eye affliction. The men hold their heads aloft to make better use of their other senses. They pass along a path bordered by a river on one side and a village with a church on the other. The leader of the group has fallen on his back into a ditch. Because they are linked by their staffs, he seems to drag his companions down with him. St. Anna’s Church, built around 1250, is depicted in the painting.
Greek Hellenism: This term means blind (unable to see), who walks away, blind to the future, intestines (caecum), blind alley (cul-de-sac), in the dark, inescapable, spiritual blindness, and choked with mud. Man, wealth, power, ignorance, and pride all can be potential sources (causes) of blindness. The blind man is often associated with comparisons and proverbial expressions. Such examples include ‘the blind leading the blind’ and ‘ignorance is likened to a blind man walking in the dark.’ Spiritual blindness is often juxtaposed with physical sight. Physical blindness is often juxtaposed with intellectual understanding. Gnosticism makes references to those unable to receive gnosis as spiritually blind.
Plato’s Phaedo 99e: “I was afraid my soul would be blind if I looked at things with my eyes.”
Sophocles’ Oedipus Tyrannus 454: “A blind men, though now he sees.”
Xenophon’s Symposium 4.12: “I would rather be blind to all things.”
Plutarch’s Solon 12: “That man was indeed blind to the future.”
Xenophon’s Cyropaedia 3.3.45: “It would be folly for men who turn their heads and offer the enemy their side of the body without eyes.”
Plato’s Republic 8.550d “Plain even to the proverbial blind man.”
Sophocles’ Oedipus Tyrannus 371: “Maimed in ears, in your wit, and in your eyes.”
Xenophon’s Memorabilia 1.3.4: “Been persuaded to choose a blind guide in preference to one who could see and know the way.”
Old Testament: This term means blindness and to make blind (literally, figuratively, and metaphorically). Blindness was a very severe handicap in Israel. The blind were specially protected by the laws of Israel. It was implied that one, who misleads a blind man, is to be cursed. Spiritual blindness is not necessarily tied to physical blindness. God sometimes uses blindness as a punishment for sin. Old Testament prophets make references to blindness (figurative and metaphorical sense) regarding judgment and salvation. The curing of blindness is an important theme of eschatological hope. Blind watchers are without knowledge. God Himself will be a guide on the way for those who seek to see.
New Testament: This term essentially means to be blind and not be able to understand. Examples include literal blindness, inability (or refusal) to believe, blindness by God’s providence, blindness through God’s punishment, Gentiles, and spiritual blindness. The scribes and Pharisees are seen as blind fools refusing (or unwilling) to believe. A blind man was healed so that the works of God might be visible to all. A Jewish false prophet was made blind by God. The Jews viewed the Gentiles as the blind (in the darkness). Those who lack the virtues (and gifts), given by God, are spiritually blind. For purposes of brevity, I will focus on spiritual blindness.
Scripture:
“Let them alone; they are blind guides (of the blind). If a blind person leads a blind person, both will fall into a pit.” Mt.15:14
Jesus calls the Pharisees blind guides. Jesus begins to lead His disciples away from the Pharisees’ teaching authority. The Pharisees were offended by Jesus’ statement that what comes out of the mouth is what defiles one.
“Woe to you , blind guides, who say, ‘If one swears by the temple, it means nothing, but if one swears by the gold of the temple, one is obligated.” Mt.23:16
The Pharisees have an inverted sense of oaths, focusing on less important values.
“Blind guides, who strain out the gnat and swallow the camel.” Mt.23:24
The Pharisees expend great efforts on minor things. The Pharisees also neglect what is important. The camel was considered unclean.
“Blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup, so that the outside also may be clean.” Mt.23:26
The ritual washing of utensils becomes a metaphor for illustrating a concern for appearances while inner purity is ignored.
Peter’s blindness: “God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall happen to you.”Mt.16:23 At first glance, Peter’s statement to Jesus sounds like a very reasonable statement. Peter is concerned about Jesus’ welfare. Jesus said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan!” Jesus stated that Peter was briefly possessed by Satan, who wanted to obstruct Jesus’ mission. Peter was not aware of (or blind) to what he was actually saying to Jesus!
Cecum: The cecum is a pouch at the beginning of the large intestine. This term comes the Latin intestum caecum, meaning blind intestine. The related Greek term is typhlon (enteron). Typhlitis is the inflammation of the large intestine. In a sense, this is the ‘blind gut’ or ‘cul de sac’ (bottom of the bag). The cul de sac, frequently found in subdivisions, is also called a blind alley, dead end, and road with no exit.
Blindness: “Houston, we can’t see the problem!” Gender Ideology
We all may oftentimes can have seemingly reasonable motivations and thoughts, but not fully understanding the truth otherwise (that you are changing the way God created you)!
At first glance, it may sound very reasonable to undergo sex reassignment surgery to remove gender dysphoria because “this will help me”. But are you fully aware of the consequences of this (such as sterilization)?
Aside from denying objective reality, it may seem reasonable to self-identify with any gender one wants. “Because that is how I feel!”
Satan can stealthily influence us by subtlety, distraction, busyness, and even ‘reasonableness’.
Ultimately, Satan seeks to destroy and upend God’s creation and moral laws. (Satan will happily encourage you (and society) to change your understanding of God’s design for male or female gender if it can serve his purposes.)
Satan can easily “push our buttons” by inserting into our minds seemingly reasonable ideas such as: “You can do whatever you want”, “You know better”, “You can refuse”, “You have the right to do that”, “You really don’t believe that”, “It’s OK to do that”, “You can look at that”, “Everybody else is doing that”, etc. (We do not need to be full blown possessed to be influenced by Satan!)
Next post: Ignorance: “Houston, what is the problem!” Gender Ideology
Conclusion:
Cecum, blind, blindness
Sophocles points out that a blind man may become rich in other aspects. Xenophon mentions that one can appreciate someone’s beauty without the need for sight. Plutarch offers timely wisdom in how some can be blinded to the future in a cultural way (cultural blindness). Xenophon illustrates how one can walk away and not face one’s opponent or enemy. Plato introduces to us the proverbial blind man (whom we all know about and perhaps have already seen). Sophocles illustrates one can be maimed in one’s eyes (unable or refusing to see). Xenophon also introduces us to the notion of the blind leading the blind.
In the Old Testament, it is important to note that blind, deaf, crippled, and the widowed were called to be cared for under the Law. Those who take advantage of these groups will be cursed. Spiritual blindness becomes an important theme in Old Testament scripture. Spiritual blindness is often contrasted with physical sight.
In the New Testament, there is a lot of physical healing going on. The scribes and Pharisees were often spiritually blind. God may use blindness to demonstrate His providence or His punishment. Since the Gentiles did not follow the Law, the Jews often viewed the Gentiles as blind or ignorant.
Then I am talking about intestines and cul de sacs. I did not see that coming! ☺☺☺
Update: In recent times, our society has been afflicted with a cultural blindness called woke cancel culture.
In our society there many who say, “I do not see anything wrong with abortion, gay marriage, etc”. Others can only see these issues from a societal perspective, but not necessarily from a moral perspective.
Many now unfortunately look at the past in a simplistic way, applying current moral values to the past. They fail to see (understand) that cultural attitudes necessarily change over time.
Many abortion supporters, only seeing that they have the legal right to have an abortion, are often blind to the moral consequences of killing the unborn. Do you really think that you’re not going to have this conversation when you have to account for yourselves before God?
We have some blind theological guides, adapting to the culture, seeking to change doctrine, introducing heretical ideas, and restricting traditional practices.
The woke crowd claim to seek tolerance, but fail to see that their polices have been intolerant to others. Their equity policies have been called racist to whites and other groups.
The woke crowd (and mob), who call others fascists, fail to see that they are the ones who are shutting down others’ speech.
Is it any surprise that we are now dealing with serious mortal issues such as heretical teachings, changing doctrine, gay marriage, euthanasia, abortion, gender theory, sex/gender, and choosing genders?
At the end of our life, each one of us will have to stand before God to account for our actions. Many of us will fail to see this.
“The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.” Hellen Keller