“Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.”
My Notes
What Does Matthew 15:14 Mean?
Jesus issues a direct command regarding the Pharisees: let them alone. The disciples had reported that the Pharisees were offended by Jesus's teaching (v.12). Jesus's response is not to apologize or moderate. It is to ignore them entirely — and explain why.
They be blind leaders of the blind. The Pharisees are not merely wrong. They are blind — lacking the spiritual sight necessary to guide anyone. And they are leading — actively guiding others who are equally blind. The danger is not just their blindness but their leadership. A blind person standing still harms only himself. A blind person leading others takes everyone into the ditch.
And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. The outcome is inevitable. Both — leader and follower — end up in the ditch. The follower's trust in a blind leader does not protect the follower. Following sincerely does not compensate for following blindly.
The verse establishes a critical principle: not all spiritual leaders deserve attention. Some should be left alone — not argued with, not reformed, not accommodated. The instruction is to disengage entirely. The Pharisees' offense at truth was not a problem to be solved. It was a diagnosis to be observed. Their blindness was chosen, and their leadership was leading others into the same ditch.
Reflection Questions
- 1.Why does Jesus say 'let them alone' rather than 'correct them' or 'engage them'?
- 2.How do you identify a 'blind leader' — what are the marks of spiritual blindness in leadership?
- 3.Why does following a blind leader sincerely not protect the follower from falling?
- 4.Who are you following — and how confident are you that they can actually see?
Devotional
Let them alone. Three words that overturn the instinct to engage every critic, answer every objection, win every argument. Jesus's response to offended religious leaders is not persuasion. It is disengagement. Let them alone. Walk away.
They be blind leaders of the blind. The problem is not that they disagree. The problem is that they cannot see — and they are leading others who also cannot see. Blindness plus leadership equals catastrophe. A blind person who knows they are blind will ask for help. A blind person who thinks they can see will confidently lead everyone into a ditch.
Both shall fall into the ditch. Both. The leader and the follower. Following a blind leader does not protect you from the ditch. Your sincerity does not override their blindness. The follower falls just as hard as the leader. Choosing who you follow is not optional — it determines where you end up.
Who are you following? Not who do you admire or find entertaining — who are you actually following? Whose teaching shapes your decisions? Whose example guides your steps? If they are blind — if they lack genuine spiritual sight, if their leadership is driven by ego or tradition rather than truth — the ditch is the destination. Jesus does not say reform them. He says leave them alone. Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is walk away from a blind guide.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
Let them alone,.... Have nothing to say, or do with them; do not mind their anger and resentment, their reproaches and…
See also Mar 7:15-17. And he called the multitude - In opposition to the doctrines of the Pharisees, the Saviour took…
Christ having proved that the disciples, in eating with unwashen hands, were not to be blamed, as transgressing the…
blind leaders of the blind The proverb which follows is quoted in a different connection, Luk 6:39; cp. also ch. Mat…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture