G5185 τυφλός (typhlós)

Blind (5185) (tuphlos from tuphlóo = envelop with smoke, be unable to see clearly) can refer to literal blindness (Mt 9:27, 28; 11:5; 12:22; Lk 7:21, 22; Jn 9:1, 2, 3.; Acts 13:11 Lv 19:14; Job 29:15) but more often is used to describe spiritual blindness. Figuratively then tuphlos picture one's mind as blind, ignorant, stupid, slow of understanding, being unable to understand, incapable of comprehending (see Mt 15:14; 23:16, 17, 19, 24, 26; Lk 4:18; Jn 9:39,40,41; Ro 2:19; 2Pe 1:9; Rev 3:17; Isa 42:16,18,19; 43:8) This sense speaks of both mental and spiritual blindness, often the result of self-deception so that one is unable to understand (spiritual truth). The Greek writers used tuphlos to describe those who were "mentally blind". Tuphlos is used 50 times in the NAS (Mt 9:27, 28; 11:5; 12:22; 15:14, 30, 31; 20:30; 21:14; 23:16, 17, 19, 24, 26; Mk. 8:22, 23; 10:46, 49, 51; Lk. 4:18; 6:39; 7:21, 22; 14:13, 21; 18:35; Jn. 5:3; 9:1, 2, 13, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 32, 39, 40, 41; 10:21; 11:37; Acts 13:11; Ro 2:19; 2Pe 1:9-note; Re 3:17-note). Jesus called the hypocritical religious leaders of His day "blind guides" or “wayleaders”, blind because instead of leading the people to the Light of the world and eternal life, the were leading the people who were in temporal (spiritual) darkness to eternal darkness. Jews in general, and the scribes and Pharisees in particular, considered themselves to be superior mentors of the community in spiritual and moral matters. They saw themselves as religious guides to their unlearned Jewish brethren and especially to the spiritually blind Gentile pagans. But because of their arrogant pride and blatant hypocrisy, Jesus charged them with “blindness” in regard to "the Way, the Truth and the Life"! Far from being qualified to guide others, they were themselves in desperate need of the "Way Leader", Christ Jesus. A LIGHT TO THOSE WHO ARE IN DARKNESS: phos ton en skotei: (Isa 49:6,9,10; Mt 4:16; Mt 5:14-note; Lk 1:79; Acts 26:18; Php 2:15-note) A light to those in darkness - The verb "are" ("are a guide") is continuous (present) tense signifying that the Jews are convinced they "wear all these hats" so to speak. Those in darkness is a clear reference to the Gentiles (cp Mt 4:16 Luke 1:79 1Th 5:4 1Pe 2:9), which would support that all 4 qualities (blind, in darkness, foolish, immature) characterize the Gentiles. The Jews were educated regarding the Law and should have functioned in the spiritual enlightenment of the godless Gentiles, but they failed to fulfill their function (for the most part), until a Jew named Paul came on the scene (cp Acts 26:13-18). Isaiah refers to God's specific purpose for the Jewish nation... He (God) says, "It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant To raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also make You a light of the nations (THE GENTILES) So that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth." (Isa 49:6) “I am the LORD, I have called you in righteousness, I will also hold you by the hand and watch over you, And I will appoint you as a covenant to the people, As a light to the nations, 7 To open blind eyes, To bring out prisoners from the dungeon, And those who dwell in darkness from the prison. (Isa 42:6-7) Paul quotes Isaiah in Acts 13:47 showing that he clearly understood God's original intent was for the Jews to be a light to the Gentiles. Luke writes... And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said, "It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first (Jews - cf the order in Ro 1:16, etc); since you repudiate (a strong word picture = literally = to push or thrust something aside, and figuratively to reject or refuse to even listen to) it (present tense = they continually reject it; middle voice = reflexive, they themselves "push it away" from themselves! Strong words by Paul), and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life (cp Ro 2:5-6), behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. For thus the Lord has commanded us (Paul and Barnabas were both Jews and were to be Jewish "lights" to the Gentiles, a fact Paul substantiates by quoting Isa 49:6), 'I HAVE PLACED YOU AS A LIGHT FOR THE GENTILES, THAT YOU SHOULD BRING SALVATION TO THE END OF THE EARTH.'" And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the Word of the Lord (Striking contrast with the predominant Jewish reaction of "pushing away" the life giving Word!); and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was being spread through the whole region. (Acts 13:46-49) Comment: To be sure the ultimate fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy was in the Jewish Messiah Who was the "great Light" that dawned upon the darkness of the Gentiles (Mt 4:16, Lk 2:32). And yet this truth did not free the Jews from the responsibility to themselves be light by proclaiming THE LIGHT, the purpose wonderfully fulfilled by Paul and Barnabas. A light - Light shows the way. Jesus is the Way, the Light of the World (cf Jn 1:4, 5, 9, 14:6, 8:12). The Jews for the most part failed to show the Way to those in darkness as discussed above.