Genesis 19:10Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Upon witnessing that the virtuous man had done all within his means, they displayed their own strength by providing assistance when the chaos of the Sodomites turned violent against him. It is noted that those men extended their hands, leading Lot into their shelter and securing the door; subsequently, the individuals at the entrance were afflicted with blindness, from the least to the greatest, rendering them weary in their attempts to gain entry. This illustrates how the gracious man was promptly rewarded for his hospitality, while the wicked faced just retribution. They took Lot into their dwelling and secured the door, while the men outside were struck with blindness, from the least to the greatest, until they were exhausted in trying to enter.

The angels then caused the inhabitants of Sodom to become blind, preventing them from locating the entrance to the home they intended to invade. This illustrates the remarkable might of the angels: through their blindness, the wicked were rendered incapable of finding the threshold. Furthermore, this episode reveals that all desires devoid of restraint lead to spiritual blindness, clouding one's vision. Saint Lot was guided into the house by the guests, symbolizing that despite the peril, he remained steadfast in his faith, choosing not to seek an escape from danger but instead moving directly toward it.

In reflecting deeply, the righteous man felt a mix of compassion for the outsiders, a desire to spare the guilty, and above all, a profound respect for God's glory since those who violate the divine order dishonor their Creator. With this in mind, he contemplated offering his cherished daughters to them. However, the men of Sodom, driven not by natural desires but by depraved lust, became furious not at the offered daughters but at the visitors who had come to expose their wickedness. They violently attempted to break down Lot’s door, not only to humiliate the guests but also to take Lot’s life.