Luke 6:39-40 39And he also told them a parable: “Can a blind person not lead a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? 40A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.
Jesus next illustrates the source for the strength to love one’s enemies and to show mercy to them. The parable is short and more like a proverb. It has two parts: the first in the form of two rhetorical questions and the second with the application. The two questions are both humorous and shocking. The humor appears in the absurdity with one blind person leading another blind person. Neither one knows where he or she is going, putting both in danger of falling into the pit that is in their path. It would be better for the blind person to be led by someone who can see clearly. Jesus does not say what the implied application is, but the context suggests the danger of not being aware of one’s own problems while focusing on the problems of others in the form of judging them. The real danger comes when both teacher and student are blind.
Verse 40 gives further application of the danger of leading without knowing what to do but extends the principle beyond the verses that came before. The basic idea of this verse is also found in Matthew 10:24–25 and John 13:16. The point is that the student follows the example of the teacher. If the teacher is bad, the students will be bad. Likewise, if the teacher is good, the students will follow in his or her steps and be good. The disciples would not be greater than Jesus but could follow his example, especially how he forgave and welcomed people, even those who were opposed to him or caused him harm.
The crucial area of imitation is love. Jesus taught his disciples to love all people unconditionally, no matter how people responded back to them. They needed to imitate him, become Christlike in their behavior and love. To be fully trained means someone is ready to go out and do what the teacher has done. The student can become a teacher to others and help them grow into the same likeness. This process of teaching and imitation would become the primary mission of the church.
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