The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 2 — Section 110

Ver. H.-" Blind leaders of the blind." This is a startling image, vividly suggest- ing to onr minds a most deplorable condition of society. While it was especially true of the official teachers of Israel in our Lord's time, it has never ceased to have e.n application to somewhat similar men. It me.y be applied to heathen priests, to the benighted leaders of superstition in medialval Europe, and, alas I to many in Christendom to-day who essay to guide others though they themselves cannot see the way of life. ~ I. THE BLIND LOOK FOB LEADEB.11. The consciousness of inability and the confession of it may not be recognized by superficial observers, because a certain surface pride tries to veil the deep diffidence and the yearning hunger for guidance that really inhabit the souls of men. The blindness of the multitudes that " knew not the Law" was but a shadow of the blindness of mankind generally. Ignorant of God, unable to compre- hend itself, lost in the wilderness of thought, the mind of man seems to be eyeless, or at best dim-sighted and confused in its attempt to grasp spiritual truth. II. THE BLTh"D MAY BE DECEIVED IN THEIR LEADERS. Their very blindness puts them under a disadvantage in judging of the worth of those who offer to guide them. Sounding words e.re no proofs of clear vision. Yet too often teachers have been accepted on their own terms and accredited by their self-assertions. Nevertheless, when one who sees arrives, it is possible for him and others to detect a mistake. The common people who heard Jesus gladly quickly perceived that his teaching had an authority which that of the scribes lacked. Ill. THE BESPONSIBJLITY OF THE LEADERS OF THE BLIND IS MOST BEBIOUB, They e.re trusted men, and in proportion to their acceptance of confidence will be their responsibility. If they fail to carry out their promises their charges will suffer. But they too will fall into trouble. Men cannot guide others wrongly without going wrong themselves. Their fatal mistake is to pretend to bo leaders of souls while they themselves are benighted, for it is possible to refuse the responsible function e.nd to take the lower and humbler place of the blind who need guidance. IV. IT IS lilOBT IXPOBTAl'IT THAT RELIGIOUS TEAOHEBB SHOULD KNOW THE TRUTH OH, xv. 1-39.] THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW. 113