Luke 6:39Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The Lord, after imparting this teaching and instructing us against judgment, presents a parable as an illustration. He asks, ‘If you judge another while being guilty of the same transgressions, are you not comparable to a blind person leading another blind individual? If you criticize someone else yet succumb to the same faults, you share in blindness. Even though you believe that your judgment directs them towards righteousness, this is not the case. How can you lead them towards what is good when you yourself are faltering?’

He included this parable as an essential addition to His previous teachings. The blessed disciples were destined to become the pioneers and instructors of the world; thus, it was imperative for them to demonstrate that they possessed everything needed for holiness. They were to understand the principles of the gospel life, be diligent in every good work, and provide well-prepared listeners with teachings that accurately convey life-saving truths. They must fulfill this role having received spiritual insight and enlightenment from the Divine, ensuring they do not become misguided leaders of others in darkness. It is unfeasible for individuals bound in the shadows of ignorance to guide others, who suffer similarly, toward the light of truth. Should they try, they would both fall into the pit of destruction.

In the twenty-eighth chapter of Matthew’s Gospel, Christ mentions the Pharisees (Matthew 15:14) and refers to all individuals whose vision is clouded yet still attempt to instruct others who share their blindness. It is imperative to first gain clarity before guiding others.

In summary, the Lord emphasized the importance of consistently turning to God in prayer to address every need. He instructed that our love for our neighbors should be as strong as our love for ourselves and encouraged us to walk along the narrow path. He cautioned against false prophets and urged that we practice what we have learned. By establishing these guiding principles for His disciples, the Lord highlighted the vital differences between their righteousness and that of the Pharisees, laying a solid groundwork for the spiritual formation of His chosen community.

Verses 21 to 23 serve as a bridge from the earlier discussion about false prophets to the concluding encouragement. This transitional passage highlights the necessity of not only heeding Christ's words but also putting them into practice. Merely claiming the title of Christian does not guarantee one's salvation. Numerous individuals who operate in Christ’s name to bring about salvation for others may experience divine manifestations, including prophecy and miracles, particularly the expulsion of demons. Yet, many of these individuals will ultimately hear the Lord declare at the Last Judgment, "I have never known you," signifying a lack of true relationship.

The Lord shared a parable, as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, where He conveyed a similar message afterward (cf. Matt. 15:14ff.). It is possible that He reiterated this teaching at that time, considering that He often recounted His messages, particularly those derived from common proverbs, related to various moments in His ministry. The same applies to the subsequent statement, A disciple is not above, etc.; refer to Matthew 10:24-25 for additional context. In this instance, these teachings are presented in a somewhat disjointed manner, lacking a cohesive connection to what precedes and follows them.