LUKE 6:39 Parallel Verse View

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Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) [ref]Then Yeshua told them a parable: “Surely a blind person can’t be a guide for someone else who’s blind. Won’t both of them fall into a ditch?

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, cyan:dative/indirect object.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT Then he also told them a parable. “A blind one is not able to guide a blind one, is he? Would not both fall into a pit?

UST He also gave his disciples this example: “A blind person should not try to lead another blind person down the road. If he did, they both would fall into the ditch on the side of the road!

BSB [Jesus] also told them a parable: “Can a blind [man] lead a blind [man]? {Will they} not both fall into a pit?

BLB And He spoke a parable also to them. "Is a blind man able to lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit?

AICNT And he [also][fn] told them a parable: “Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit?

6:39, also: Absent from some manuscripts. A(02) BYZ TR

OEB Then, speaking in parables, Jesus said, ‘Can one blind person guide another? Will they not both fall into a ditch?

WEBBE He spoke a parable to them. “Can the blind guide the blind? Won’t they both fall into a pit?

WMBB (Same as above)

NET He also told them a parable: “Someone who is blind cannot lead another who is blind, can he? Won’t they both fall into a pit?

LSV And He spoke an allegory to them, “Is blind able to lead blind? Will they not both fall into a pit?

FBV Then he illustrated the point: “Can a blind person lead another? Wouldn't they both fall into a ditch?

TCNT He also told them a parable: “Can one blind person guide another? Will they not both fall into a pit?

T4T He also told his disciples this parable to show them that they should be like him, and not be like the Jewish religious leaders: “◄You certainly would not expect a blind man to lead another blind man./Would you expect a blind man to lead another blind man?► [RHQ] If he tried to do that, ◄they would both probably fall into a hole!/wouldn’t they both probably fall into a hole?► [RHQ] I am your teacher, and you disciples should be like me.

LEB And he also told them a parable: “Surely a blind person cannot lead the blind, can he?[fn] Will they not both fall into a pit?

6:39 *The negative construction in Greek anticipates a negative answer here, indicated in the translation by the phrase “can he”

BBE And he gave them teaching in the form of a story, saying, Is it possible for one blind man to be guide to another? will they not go falling together into a hole?

Moff He also told them a parabolic word:
⇔ "Can one blind man lead another?
⇔ will they not both fall into a pit?

Wymth He also spoke to them in figurative language. "Can a blind man lead a blind man?" He asked; "would not both fall into the ditch?

ASV And he spake also a parable unto them, Can the blind guide the blind? shall they not both fall into a pit?

DRA And he spoke also to them a similitude: Can the blind lead the blind? do they not both fall into the ditch?

YLT And he spake a simile to them, 'Is blind able to lead blind? shall they not both fall into a pit?

Drby And he spoke also a parable to them: Can a blind [man] lead a blind [man]? shall not both fall into [the] ditch?

RV And he spake also a parable unto them, Can the blind guide the blind? shall they not both fall into a pit?

SLT And he spake to them a parable, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?

Wbstr And he spoke a parable to them; Can the blind lead the blind? will they not both fall into the ditch?

KJB-1769 And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?

KJB-1611 And hee spake a parable vnto them, Can the blinde leade the blinde? Shall they not both fall into the ditch?
(And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blinde? Shall they not both fall into the ditch?)

Bshps And he put foorth a similitude vnto them: Can the blynde leade the blynde? Do they not both fall into the ditche?
(And he put forth a similitude unto them: Can the blind lead the blinde? Do they not both fall into the ditche?)

Gnva And he spake a parable vnto them, Can the blinde leade the blinde? shall they not both fall into the ditche?
(And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blinde? shall they not both fall into the ditche? )

Cvdl And he sayde a symilitude vnto the: Can the blynde shewe the waye to ye blynde? Do they not both the fall in to the dyche?
(And he said a similitude unto them: Can the blind show the way to ye/you_all blinde? Do they not both the fall in to the dyche?)

TNT And he put forthe a similitude vnto the: Can the blynde leade the blynde? Do they not both then fall into the dyche?
(And he put forth a similitude unto them: Can the blind lead the blinde? Do they not both then fall into the dyche? )

Wycl And he seide to hem a liknesse, Whether the blynde may leede the blynde? ne fallen thei not bothe `in to the diche?
(And he said to hem a likeness, Whether the blind may lead the blinde? nor fallen they not both in to the diche?)

Luth Und er sagte ihnen ein Gleichnis: Mag auch ein Blinder einem Blinden den Weg weisen? Werden sie nicht alle beide in die Grube fallen?
(And he said to_them a parable/allegory: Mag also a Blinder on blind_people the way/path/road show/point? Become they/she/them not all both in the pit fall/drop?)

ClVg Dicebat autem illis et similitudinem: Numquid potest cæcus cæcum ducere? nonne ambo in foveam cadunt?[fn]
(He_said however to_them and similarity: Is_it can blind blind to_lead? isn't_it ambo in/into/on pit cadunt? )

6.39 Dicebat. Per quam invitat ad eleemosynam dandam et ad dimittendam injuriam. Nunquid potest. Si contra violentum ira te cæcaverit: si contra petentem avarus eris, nunquid vitiata mente tua, vitium ejus curare poteris? Nec solum qui tibi injuriam fecit, sed etiam tu qui ferre nescis, reus eris. Sed si improbitas illius te tranquillum invenit, et ille pœnitebit, et tu de patientia coronaberis, quia cæcum vidente oculo, id est, sereno corde ad lumen ducere curasti.

6.39 He_said. Per how invites to alms dandam and to let_gondam injury. Nunquid can. When/But_if on_the_contrary violentum anger/rage you(sg) cæcaverit: when/but_if on_the_contrary petentem avarus you_will_be, nunquid vicesta mind your, vice/defect his to_take_care_of you_will_be_able_to? Neither only who/which to_you injury he_did, but also you(sg) who/which to_carry you_don't_know, guilty/criminal you_will_be. But when/but_if improbitas of_that you(sg) tranquillum he_found, and he/that_one he_will_repent, and you(sg) from/about patience/endurance coronaberis, because blind seeing with_an_eye, that it_is, sereno heart to the_light to_lead caresti.

UGNT εἶπεν δὲ καὶ παραβολὴν αὐτοῖς: μήτι δύναται τυφλὸς τυφλὸν ὁδηγεῖν? οὐχὶ ἀμφότεροι εἰς βόθυνον ἐμπεσοῦνται?
(eipen de kai parabolaʸn autois: maʸti dunatai tuflos tuflon hodaʸgein? ouⱪi amfoteroi eis bothunon empesountai?)

SBL-GNT Εἶπεν δὲ ⸀καὶ παραβολὴν αὐτοῖς· Μήτι δύναται τυφλὸς τυφλὸν ὁδηγεῖν; οὐχὶ ἀμφότεροι εἰς βόθυνον ⸀ἐμπεσοῦνται;
(Eipen de ⸀kai parabolaʸn autois; Maʸti dunatai tuflos tuflon hodaʸgein; ouⱪi amfoteroi eis bothunon ⸀empesountai;)

RP-GNT Εἶπεν δὲ παραβολὴν αὐτοῖς, Μήτι δύναται τυφλὸς τυφλὸν ὁδηγεῖν; Οὐχὶ ἀμφότεροι εἰς βόθυνον πεσοῦνται;
(Eipen de parabolaʸn autois, Maʸti dunatai tuflos tuflon hodaʸgein; Ouⱪi amfoteroi eis bothunon pesountai;)

TC-GNT Εἶπε [fn]δὲ παραβολὴν αὐτοῖς, Μήτι δύναται τυφλὸς τυφλὸν ὁδηγεῖν; Οὐχὶ ἀμφότεροι εἰς βόθυνον [fn]πεσοῦνται;
(Eipe de parabolaʸn autois, Maʸti dunatai tuflos tuflon hodaʸgein; Ouⱪi amfoteroi eis bothunon pesountai; )

6:39 δε ¦ δε και CT

6:39 πεσουνται ¦ εμπεσουνται CT

Key for above GNTs: red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 6:17–49: Jesus taught people how to be his disciples

In this section, Jesus spoke about how his true disciples should think and act. He spoke about this immediately after he had chosen twelve of his disciples to be his apostles. Jesus said many things about this topic in his speech, so that people have often called this particular speech of Jesus a “sermon.”

In this sermon, Jesus asked those who heard him to be different from other people in the world and to think differently. He encouraged his disciples to obey his authority and live as people of God. They should be generous and merciful even to their enemies, as God is generous to everyone. Jesus assured his disciples that they would be blessed and rewarded for their obedience and for suffering for him. He concluded his speech by telling parables to motivate his disciples to obey his teaching.

Another possible heading for this section is:

The Sermon on the Plain (NET)

Some English versions divide 6:17–49 into several sections. Here is one way that might be done:

6:17–26 Blessings and woes

6:27–36 Love your enemies

6:37–42 Do not judge

6:43–45 A tree and its fruit

6:46–49 Two foundations

The sermon in 6:17–49 is similar to the sermon commonly referred to as “The Sermon on the Mount” in Matthew chapters 5–7.

6:39

In 6:39, Jesus told a proverb about two blind men. It is a warning. Jesus said that a blind person cannot lead another blind person. The result would be disaster. The rhetorical question form emphasizes the warning. It warns the disciples to be careful whom they follow. It also warns them not to be like a blind leader.

6:39a

Jesus also told them a parable:

¶ Jesus also told them a parable:
¶ Jesus also gave them this illustration/proverb,

Jesus also told them a parable: Luke used this clause to introduce the parable that Jesus spoke to the disciples.

parable: In this context the word parable refers to a proverb or short illustration that teaches a spiritual truth. See parable, Type 1, in the Glossary and the note on 5:36a.

Here is another way to translate the word parable in this context:

illustration (NET)

6:39b

“Can a blind man lead a blind man?

“Can one blind man lead/guide another blind man? Of course not!
“A blind man certainly cannot lead another blind man!

Can a blind man lead a blind man?: This is a rhetorical question. Jesus used this rhetorical question to emphasize something that is not possible. No blind man can lead another blind man. This proverb refers to an unwise leader leading others.

Some ways to translate this emphasis are:

As a rhetorical question. If your language uses rhetorical questions to make emphatic statements, then you can translate this as a rhetorical question. For example:
Can one blind person lead another? (GW)
Can a blind person lead another blind person? No! (NCV)
As a statement. If you language does not use rhetorical questions to make emphatic statements, then you need to find another way to emphasize this statement. For example:
One blind man cannot lead another one… (GNT)
A blind man certainly cannot lead another blind man.

Translate this emphasis in a way that is natural in your language.

6:39c

Will they not both fall into a pit?

Won’t they both fall into a pit? (NET)
If he did/tried, both of them would certainly stumble into a ditch/pit.

Will they not both fall into a pit?: This is a second rhetorical question. Jesus used this rhetorical question to emphasize the disaster that would happen when a blind man leads a blind man. Both blind men would surely fall into a pit. This part of the proverb refers to the disaster that happens when a false teacher leads someone.

Some ways to translate this emphasis are:

As a rhetorical question. For example:
Won’t they both fall into a pit? (NET)
As a statement. For example:
Surely they will both fall into the ditch together. (JBP)
The first one will fall into a ditch and pull the other down also. (NLT96)

Translate this emphasis in a way that is natural in your language.

This question includes the implied information “if a blind man does lead another…” You may want to make this explicit. For example:

if he does, both will fall into a ditch (GNT)

pit: The Greek word that the BSB translates as a pit (and some other English versions translate as a “ditch”) could refers to:

A large hole or trench that is dug by people.
A natural depression in the ground.

In either case, it was a space large enough for people to fall into.

General Comment on 6:39b–c

It may be more natural in your language to combine these two rhetorical questions into one statement. For example:

If a blind person leads another blind person, they will both stumble and fall into a ditch.

It is impossible for a blind person to lead another blind person, because both of them will fall into a pit.

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / parables

εἶπεν δὲ καὶ παραβολὴν αὐτοῖς

˱he˲_spoke (Some words not found in SR-GNT: εἶπεν Δέ καί παραβολήν αὐτοῖς Μήτι δύναται τυφλός τυφλόν ὁδηγεῖν Οὐχί ἀμφότεροι εἰς βόθυνον πεσοῦνται)

Jesus is giving a brief illustration that teaches something true in a way that is easy to understand and remember. Alternate translation: [Then he gave them this illustration to help them understand better]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / gendernotations

μήτι δύναται τυφλὸς τυφλὸν ὁδηγεῖν?

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: εἶπεν Δέ καί παραβολήν αὐτοῖς Μήτι δύναται τυφλός τυφλόν ὁδηγεῖν Οὐχί ἀμφότεροι εἰς βόθυνον πεσοῦνται)

Here the word translated blind one is masculine, but Jesus is using it in a generic sense that includes all people. Alternate translation: [Can one person who is blind guide another person who is blind?]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / doublenegatives

μήτι δύναται τυφλὸς τυφλὸν ὁδηγεῖν?

The first word of this sentence in Greek is a negative word that can be used to turn a negative statement into a question that expects a negative answer. ULT shows this by adding is he? Your language may have other ways of asking a question that expects a negative answer, for example, by changing the word order of a positive statement. Translate this in the way that would be clearest in your language. Alternate translation: [Can one person who is blind really guide another person who is blind?]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / rquestion

μήτι δύναται τυφλὸς τυφλὸν ὁδηγεῖν?

Jesus is not expecting the people in the crowd to tell him whether one blind person can guide another. He is using the question form as a teaching tool to make a point and get his listeners to reflect on it. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate his words as a statement. Alternate translation: [We all know that one blind person cannot guide another blind person.]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

τυφλὸς

The blind person represents someone who has not yet been fully trained and taught as a disciple. But since Jesus explains this figure in the next three verses, you do not need to explain it explicitly here in your own translation.

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / rquestion

οὐχὶ ἀμφότεροι εἰς βόθυνον ἐμπεσοῦνται?

Jesus is using this question as well as a teaching tool. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate his words as a statement. Alternate translation: [Both of them would certainly fall into a ditch]

Parallel LUKE 6:39

Section 6:17–49: Jesus taught people how to be his disciples

6:39

6:39a

6:39b

6:39c

General Comment on 6:39b–c