Devine Scripture

Matthew 15:14

What does Matthew 15:14 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 15:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 15:14 means

Jesus instructs His disciples to "let them alone" concerning the offended Pharisees, calling them "blind guides." He then uses a proverb: "if the blind guide the blind, both shall fall into a pit." This highlights the spiritual danger of following leaders who lack true spiritual insight and guidance themselves. Jesus cautions His disciples against being led astray by those who cannot see spiritual truth, implying they should not be overly concerned about the Pharisees' reaction.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Let them be: they are blind guides. And if a blind man is guiding a blind man, the two will go falling into a hole together.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

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

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Leave them alone; they are blind leaders of blind: but if blind lead blind, both will fall into a ditch.

Context

Building on the judgment of the Pharisees in verse 13, this verse offers practical guidance to the disciples. Jesus instructs them to separate themselves from the Pharisees' influence, clearly identifying the religious leaders as unqualified spiritual guides. This warning provides the immediate justification for the disciples to seek further clarification from Jesus, as Peter does in the following verse.

v.13But he answered and said, Every plant which my heavenly Father planted not, shall be rooted up.

v.14This passage

v.15And Peter answered and said unto him, Declare unto us the parable.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Malachi 2:8

    But ye are turned aside out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble in the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith Jehovah of hosts.

  • 2 Peter 2:17

    These are springs without water, and mists driven by a storm; for whom the blackness of darkness hath been reserved.

  • Revelation 22:15

    Without are the dogs, and the sorcerers, and the fornicators, and the murderers, and the idolaters, and every one that loveth and maketh a lie.

  • Jeremiah 5:31

    the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?

  • 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 Jehovah.

  • Isaiah 42:19

    Who is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger that I send? who is blind as he that is at peace with me, and blind as Jehovah’s servant?

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