Luke 6:42Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Or else, If thou judgest another, and in the very same way sinnest thyself, art not thou like to the blind leading the blind? For how canst thou lead him to good when thou also thyself committest sin? For the disciple is not above his master. If therefore thou sinnest, who thinkest thyself a master and guide, where will he be who is taught and led by thee? For he will be the perfect disciple who is as his master.

The Lord added to what had gone before a very necessary parable, as it is said, And he spake a parable to them, for His disciples were the future teachers of the world, and it therefore became them to know the way of a virtuous life, having their minds illuminated as it were by a divine brightness, that they should not be blind leaders of the blind. And then he adds, Can the blind lead the blind? But if any should chance to attain unto an equal degree of virtue with their teachers, let them stand in the measure of their teachers, and follow their footsteps. Hence it follows, The disciple is not above his master. Hence also Paul says, Be ye also followers of me, as I am of Christ (1 Cor. 1:11.). Since Christ therefore judged not, why judgest thou? for He came not to judge the world, but to shew mercy.

Or, He has added the words, Can the blind, lead the blind, in order that they might not expect to receive from the Levites that measure of which He says, They shall give into thy bosom, because they gave tithes to them. And these He calls blind, because they received not the Gospel, that the people might the rather now begin to hope for that reward through the disciples of the Lord, whom wishing to point out as His imitators, He added, The disciple is not above his master.

In truth, self knowledge seems the most important of all. For not only the eye, looking at outward things, fails to exercise its sight upon itself, but our understanding also, though very quick in apprehending the sin of another, is slow to perceive its own defects.

Each individual ought to introspect and lament the transgressions of their past, and, having become a fair judge of previous wrongdoings, should heed the admonition of Jesus: Hypocrite, first remove the log from your own eye; then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye (Matt. 7:5; Luke 6:42). Indeed, we resemble the scribes and Pharisees, who meticulously focus on a tiny gnat while swallowing the camel, diligently tithing herbs like mint and cumin while neglecting God’s justice (Matt. 23:24).

To slander, reprove, condemn, or humiliate are distinct acts. To censure someone involves asserting, "This person has lied, harbored anger, engaged in immoral behavior, or committed similar transgressions." Such remarks display partiality in addressing a brother's shortcomings. Condemnation, on the other hand, goes further, declaring, "This individual is a liar, filled with wrath, or an immoral person." This effectively passes judgment on the state of their soul and on their entire existence, labeling them definitively, which constitutes a serious transgression. It is one matter to observe that "he is angry," and another to assert "he is wrathful"; the latter conveys a judgment that encompasses his entire being.

Or the sense of this sentence depends upon the former, in which we are enjoined to give alms, and forgive injuries. If, says He, anger has blinded thee against the violent, and avarice against the grasping, how canst thou with thy corrupt heart cure his corruption? If even thy Master Christ, who as God might revenge His injuries, chose rather by patience to render His persecutors more merciful, it is surely binding on His disciples, who are but men, to follow the same rule of perfection.

In summary, the Lord instructed that in every circumstance, we should continually approach God in prayer, maintaining the principle that our love for others should be as great as our love for ourselves. We are to consistently learn to tread a narrow path, exercise caution against false teachers, and apply the lessons we have received. By establishing these guidelines for His followers, the Lord highlighted the fundamental differences between their righteousness and that of the Pharisees, thus laying a solid foundation for the spiritual growth of His chosen people.

The verses 21 to 23 serve as a bridge from the earlier discussion about false prophets to the concluding admonition; this transition clarifies why it is important not just to hear Christ’s teachings but to put them into practice. Holding the title of Christian alone does not guarantee salvation. Many individuals, despite acting in Christ's name and working towards the salvation of others, may receive displays of divine power, including the gifts of prophecy and miracles, as well as the ability to cast out demons; nonetheless, even many of these will hear at the Final Judgment the Lord's words, “I have never known you,” meaning they do not belong to Him.

After establishing guidelines for the relationships individuals have with themselves, Christ provided teachings on how to relate to others. While the righteousness of the Pharisees failed to address spiritual needs due to an excessive focus on earthly desires, it was also marked by harshness, intolerance, exclusivity, and a disdainful arrogance, often assessing all matters through a rigid, lifeless legal framework. To caution His disciples against these sins, Christ shared practical guidance on how to treat one another, infused with divine wisdom and clarity. His teachings primarily targeted the Pharisaic pride that unreasonably critiqued everything outside its narrow legal standpoint, as He said, “Judge not, that ye be not judged.

In the tranquil and sacred community of Christ's followers, there is no room for hypocrisy, which seeks admiration from others through superficial displays of devotion, nor for another detrimental vice that can have serious repercussions in both public and private spheres. This vice is the malicious judgment of one’s neighbor rooted in hatred, envy, pride, and other unwholesome intentions. "Judge not, that ye be not judged: for as ye judge, so shall ye be judged: and in the same measure ye measure, it shall be measured unto you." According to St. Gregory of Nyssa, these words illustrate that Christ does not prohibit righteous judgment; instead, He refers to judgment that lacks mercy.