Jesus opens the Eyes of a Man born Blind title QS:P1476,en:"Jesus opens the Eyes of a Man born Blind "Duccio di Buoninsegna · 1350–00

Blindness

/BLYND-ness/

Summary

The loss of sight, which in Scripture serves both as a physical condition Jesus healed and as a spiritual metaphor for inability to perceive divine truth.

☩Physical Blindness

Blindness was common in the ancient Near East due to infections, injuries, and harsh conditions. The Law protected the blind from being cursed or misled, and forbade placing stumbling blocks before them. Jesus demonstrated His messianic authority by healing many blind people, fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy that the Messiah would open blind eyes.

Key verses:Leviticus 19:14Deuteronomy 27:18Isaiah 35:5Matthew 9:27-30

☩Spiritual Blindness

Scripture frequently uses blindness as a metaphor for spiritual inability to perceive God's truth. Israel's leaders were called 'blind guides' by Jesus, and Paul speaks of the god of this age blinding unbelievers' minds. The healing of physical blindness often symbolized spiritual enlightenment.

Key verses:Isaiah 6:10Matthew 15:14John 9:39-412 Corinthians 4:4

☩Miraculous Blindness

God sometimes inflicted temporary blindness as judgment or protection, as with the men of Sodom, the Syrian army, and Saul of Tarsus.

Key verses:Genesis 19:112 Kings 6:18Acts 9:8-9

Related Verses117 mentions

Isaiah· 16 verses

1:3 5:13 5:20 6:9 6:10

Matthew· 11 verses

9:27 11:5 12:22 13:13 13:19

John· 11 verses

1:5 3:19 3:20 6:60 8:19

Psalms· 8 verses

10:5 14:4 73:2 82:5 94:7

References

1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Blind," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. I (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
2.James Hastings (ed.), "Blindness," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. I (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).
3.James Orr (ed.), "Blindness," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. I (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).