Lexical Summary tuphlos: Blind Original Word: τυφλός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance blind. From, tuphoo; opaque (as if smoky), i.e. (by analogy) blind (physically or mentally) -- blind. see GREEK tuphoo NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain origin Definition blind NASB Translation blind (34), blind man (10), blind men (5), person...blind (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5185: τυφλόςτυφλός, τυφλοῦ, ὁ (τύφω, to raise a smoke; hence, properly, 'darkened by smoke'), from Homer down, the Sept. for עִוֵּר, blind; a. properly: Matthew 9:27; Matthew 11:5; Mark 8:22; Mark 10:46; Luke 7:21; Luke 14:13, 21; John 9:1f, 13; John 10:21, etc. b. as often in secular authors from Pindar down, mentally blind: Matthew 15:14; Matthew 23:17, 19, 24, 26; John 9:39-41; Romans 2:19; 2 Peter 1:9; Revelation 3:17. Topical Lexicon Overview of UsageThe word translated “blind” appears fifty times in the Greek New Testament. While frequently describing literal loss of sight, it functions even more prominently as a metaphor for spiritual incapacity. The distribution is heaviest in the Gospels—especially Matthew and John—underscoring both Christ’s compassionate miracles and His penetrating diagnoses of the human heart. Apostolic writings and Revelation extend the theme, applying it pastorally and prophetically to the church and the world. Physical Blindness in the Ministry of Jesus Jesus repeatedly encountered men and women who could not see: • Matthew 9:27-30 records two blind men following Him, crying, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” Their healing confirms His Davidic messianic identity. • Matthew 20:30-34 presents the same title on the lips of two roadside beggars. Verse 34 notes, “Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes, and at once they received their sight and followed Him.” Physical healing becomes the doorway to discipleship. • Mark 8:22-26 describes the unique two-stage restoration at Bethsaida, highlighting both the Lord’s sovereign process and the patient progression of faith. • John 9 offers the most extended narrative. By giving sight to the man born blind, Jesus proclaims, “I am the light of the world” (John 9:5). The miracle is incontrovertible: “Since the world began, nobody has heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind” (John 9:32). The ensuing investigation of the healed man exposes the true blindness of Israel’s religious leadership. These accounts fulfill messianic prophecy (Isaiah 35:5; 42:7) and manifest the kingdom foretold in Luke 4:18, where Jesus reads, “He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind.” Spiritual Blindness as a Moral Condition While Jesus cures physical eyes, He confronts a deeper problem. Matthew 23 repeatedly brands the scribes and Pharisees “blind guides” (Matthew 23:16, 23:24) and “blind fools” (Matthew 23:17). Their meticulous ritualism masks an inner darkness: “First clean the inside of the cup and dish, so that the outside may become clean as well” (Matthew 23:26). John 9:39-41 captures the paradox: “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind may see and those who see may become blind.” Those admitting need receive illumination; those claiming sufficiency remain in guilt. Paul continues the theme. Romans 2:19 warns self-confident moralists who fancy themselves “a guide for the blind,” yet fail to obey the very Law they teach. Peter exposes stunted spiritual growth: “Whoever lacks these qualities is blind and short-sighted, forgetting that he has been cleansed from his past sins” (2 Peter 1:9). In Revelation 3:17 the risen Christ rebukes Laodicea: “You do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.” Spiritual complacency becomes blindness of the worst sort. Jesus Christ as the Light of the World The miracles and metaphors converge in the self-revelation of Jesus. By healing sightless eyes, He both alleviates human misery and authenticates His claim to be Light. John 1:9 calls Him “the true Light who gives light to every man,” and John 8:12 records His promise, “Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.” Each encounter with the blind dramatizes this claim and anticipates the full illumination granted through His death and resurrection. Fulfillment of Messianic Prophecy Isaiah’s visions were clear: Messiah would open blind eyes. Jesus cites Isaiah 61 in Luke 4:18, inaugurating His public ministry with the assurance that the foretold day has arrived. When John the Baptist seeks confirmation, Jesus responds, “The blind see and the lame walk… and the poor are evangelized” (Matthew 11:5). The miracles are not mere displays of power; they are covenantal proofs that God’s saving promises are being kept. Rebuke of Religious Hypocrisy The sharpest condemnations fall on leaders whose outward sight enables deeper inward blindness. Matthew 15:14 states, “If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.” Luke 6:39 repeats the proverb, emphasizing the peril of uninformed teachers guiding undiscerning followers. These warnings call every generation to submit to divine revelation rather than human tradition. Faith and Healing In nearly every healing narrative, faith surfaces as the decisive human response. Blind Bartimaeus casts aside his cloak, springs up, and comes to Jesus (Mark 10:50). The two men in Matthew 9 enter a house after Him, undeterred by obstacles. Their persistence illustrates Hebrews 11:6: “He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” The pattern is clear: physical restoration often accompanies humble, persevering faith. Apostolic Illustration and Warning Acts 13:11 presents a reverse miracle when Elymas the sorcerer is struck blind “for a time,” demonstrating divine judgment upon stubborn opposition. This temporary blindness parallels Saul’s experience on the Damascus road (though the noun is not used in Acts 9), underscoring how God may employ literal darkness to produce spiritual light. Eschatological Assessment Revelation 3:17-18 offers both rebuke and remedy: “I counsel you to buy from Me… salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.” Final judgment will expose every claim to self-sufficiency. Only those who receive Christ’s healing grace will enter the New Jerusalem, where “night will be no more” (Revelation 22:5). Pastoral and Missional Applications 1. Compassionate Ministry: Jesus’ example legitimizes medical, social, and evangelistic outreaches to the visually impaired, honoring their dignity as image-bearers of God. Summary Across the New Testament, the “blind” reveal both humanity’s frailty and God’s gracious power. Jesus fulfills prophetic expectation by opening eyes, exposes hypocrisy by naming spiritual blindness, and commissions His followers to walk in His light. The call endures: acknowledge need, trust the Son of David, and follow Him who turns darkness into day. Forms and Transliterations τυφλε τυφλέ τυφλοι τυφλοί τυφλοὶ τυφλοις τυφλοίς τυφλοῖς τυφλον τυφλόν τυφλὸν τυφλος τυφλός τυφλὸς τυφλου τυφλού τυφλοῦ τυφλους τυφλούς τυφλοὺς τυφλω τυφλώ τυφλῷ τυφλων τυφλών τυφλῶν tuphle tuphlo tuphlō tuphloi tuphlois tuphlon tuphlōn tuphlos tuphlou tuphlous typhle typhlé typhlo typhlō typhloi typhloí typhloì typhlôi typhlō̂i typhlois typhloîs typhlon typhlón typhlòn typhlôn typhlōn typhlō̂n typhlos typhlós typhlòs typhlou typhloû typhlous typhloús typhloùsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 9:27 Adj-NMPGRK: αὐτῷ δύο τυφλοὶ κράζοντες καὶ NAS: two blind men followed KJV: thence, two blind men followed him, INT: him two blind [men] crying and Matthew 9:28 Adj-NMP Matthew 11:5 Adj-NMP Matthew 12:22 Adj-AMS Matthew 15:14 Adj-NMP Matthew 15:14 Adj-GMP Matthew 15:14 Adj-NMS Matthew 15:14 Adj-AMS Matthew 15:30 Adj-AMP Matthew 15:31 Adj-AMP Matthew 20:30 Adj-NMP Matthew 21:14 Adj-NMP Matthew 23:16 Adj-VMP Matthew 23:17 Adj-VMP Matthew 23:19 Adj-VMP Matthew 23:24 Adj-VMP Matthew 23:26 Adj-VMS Mark 8:22 Adj-AMS Mark 8:23 Adj-GMS Mark 10:46 Adj-NMS Mark 10:49 Adj-AMS Mark 10:51 Adj-NMS Luke 4:18 Adj-DMP Luke 6:39 Adj-NMS Luke 6:39 Adj-AMS Strong's Greek 5185 |
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