Matthew Poole and continuators on Luke 6:39

39 And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?

By a Parable here is to be understood a Proverbial saying, which hath some darkness in it, as being brought to express, or signify more than the Words naturally do express. Proverbial Speeches, are applicable to more things, and in more Cases than one. Nor is it to be expected, that in all that the Evangelists give us an account of, as to the sayings of Christ, we should be able to find out an evident Connexion. They (questionless) Wrote much at least from their Memories, and set down many sayings, without respect to the time when our Saviour spake them, or the matter of his Discourse, immediately preceding them; we need not therefore be careful to make out the Connexion of these Words of his, with what was before set down, in the Paralel Text, Matth. 15.14. Our Saviour plainly applyeth these Words with reference to the Scribes and Pharisees, the Jewish Leaders, their Doctors, and Teachers at that time, who themselves being ignorant of the true Sense of the Divine Law, were not like very well to Guide others, but with them to fall into the Ditch ▪ that is, into Ruin and Destruction, from whence a very probable Connexion of them here, with what went before may be observed; for as appears from Matth. 5. he had in the preceding Verses, given an interpretation of that Law of God. Thou shalt love thy Neighbour as thy self, much different form what the Pharisees had given of it, who had expounded it, Matth. 5.43. Thou shalt love thy Neighbour, and hate thy Enemy. Making a great many Branches of Love to Men, more than they made Now (saith he) This is the Will, this is the Law of my Heavenly Father. The Scribes and Pharisees, your present Doctors and Teachers go much below this, but listen not to them, if you mind to please God; themselves are Blind, and know not the Will of God, and if you follow them, what can you expect more than such an event, as where one Blind Man leads another.