The concept of being blindfolded, while not frequently mentioned in the Bible, carries significant symbolic and literal implications within the scriptural narrative. In biblical times, a blindfold was often used as a means of humiliation or to prevent someone from seeing, thus rendering them vulnerable or powerless. This act can be seen in both Old and New Testament contexts, where it serves as a metaphor for spiritual blindness or as a literal act of mockery and derision.

Old Testament Context

While the specific act of blindfolding is not explicitly detailed in the Old Testament, the theme of blindness, both physical and spiritual, is prevalent. Spiritual blindness is often used to describe the state of those who are unable to perceive God's truth. For instance, in Isaiah 6:10, the prophet is instructed to "Make the heart of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed." This passage highlights the concept of spiritual blindness as a judgment from God, preventing the people from understanding and accepting divine truth.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the act of blindfolding is explicitly mentioned in the context of the suffering and mockery of Jesus Christ. In Luke 22:64 , during the events leading up to His crucifixion, Jesus is blindfolded by His captors: "They blindfolded Him and kept demanding, 'Prophesy! Who hit You?'" This act of blindfolding was a form of mockery, challenging Jesus' prophetic abilities and ridiculing His claim to divine insight. It symbolizes the spiritual blindness of those who fail to recognize Jesus as the Messiah, despite the evidence of His works and teachings.

Symbolism and Spiritual Implications

Blindfolding in the Bible often symbolizes a lack of spiritual insight or understanding. It serves as a metaphor for those who are spiritually blind, unable to see the truth of God's word and the reality of His kingdom. In 2 Corinthians 4:4 , the apostle Paul speaks of this spiritual blindness: "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." Here, the "god of this age" refers to Satan, who blinds individuals to prevent them from perceiving the truth of the gospel.

Practical and Theological Reflections

From a theological perspective, the act of being blindfolded can serve as a reminder of the importance of spiritual sight and discernment. Believers are called to seek the light of Christ and to pray for the removal of spiritual blindness, both in their own lives and in the lives of others. The Bible encourages believers to walk in the light and to be vigilant against the forces that seek to obscure their spiritual vision.

In practical terms, the imagery of blindfolding challenges Christians to examine their own lives for areas where they may be spiritually blind or resistant to God's truth. It serves as a call to pursue a deeper understanding of Scripture and to remain steadfast in faith, trusting in the guidance of the Holy Spirit to illuminate their path.(imp. & p. p.) of Blindfold.4028. perikalupto -- to cover around
... Word Origin from peri and kalupto Definition to cover around NASB Word Usage blindfold
(1), blindfolded (1), covered (1). blindfold, cover, overlay. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4028.htm - 6k

The Shameful Sufferer
... The mere kite can bear to be mewed, but the eagle cannot bear to be hoodwinked
and blindfolded; he hath a nobler spirit than that. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the shameful sufferer.htm

Post-Nicene Mothers
... those Church doctors who would have the world venerate the Nicene period as the
ideal age of Christianity, says that if "they could but be blindfolded (if any ...
/.../brittain/women of early christianity/v post-nicene mothers.htm

Jesus Before the Jewish Rulers. Ch. 22:63-71
... Ch. 22:63-71. 63 And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and beat him.64 And they
blindfolded him, and asked him, saying, Prophesy: who is he that struck thee? ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/f jesus before the jewish.htm

On Dress.
... thy own cause! Let not men and devils any longer put out our eyes and lead
as blindfolded into the pit of destruction. God demands ...
/.../orr/food for the lambs or helps for young christians/on dress.htm

In the High Priest's Palace
... And when they had blindfolded Him, they struck Him on the face, and asked
Him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote Thee? 65. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/in the high priests palace.htm

Of the Thorough Harmony of the Evangelists in the Different ...
... and continues his narrative in the following connection: "And the men that held
Jesus mocked Him, and smote Him; and when they had blindfolded Him, they struck ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter vii of the thorough harmony.htm

The Greatest Trial on Record
... him. And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and
asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee? ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/the greatest trial on record.htm

The Trial Before the Jewish Authorities.
... And they blindfolded him and smote him with the palms of their hands, saying,
"Prophesy unto us, thou Christ: who is he that struck thee?". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/the trial before the jewish.htm

A Dream.
... yonder," He said, "What do you see?" "It seems as if I see the dark earth I have
come from." "What else?" "I see men as if they were blindfolded, going over a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/moodys anecdotes and illustrations/a dream.htm

Jesus in the Hands of his Enemies
... They also blindfolded him and said, "Prophet, tell us who is it that struck
you?" And they said many other things, insulting him. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/jesus in the hands of.htm

Blindfolded (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Blindfolded (2 Occurrences). ... (See NIV). Luke 22:64 Having
blindfolded him, they struck him on the face and asked him, "Prophesy! ...
/b/blindfolded.htm - 7k

Blindfold (1 Occurrence)
... blind'-fold (perikalupto): A sport common among the children of ancient times, in
which the blindfolded were struck on the cheek, then asked who had struck them ...
/b/blindfold.htm - 7k

Telling (89 Occurrences)
... Luke 22:64 or blindfolded Him, and then challenged Him. "Prove to us," they said,
"that you are a prophet, by telling us who it was that struck you." (WEY). ...
/t/telling.htm - 31k

Demanded (40 Occurrences)
... Luke 22:64 Having blindfolded him, they struck him on the face and asked
him, "Prophesy! Who is the one who struck you?" (See NIV). ...
/d/demanded.htm - 17k

Prophesy (96 Occurrences)
... Luke 22:64 Having blindfolded him, they struck him on the face and asked him, "Prophesy!
Who is the one who struck you?" (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/p/prophesy.htm - 38k

Blindfolds (1 Occurrence)

/b/blindfolds.htm - 6k

Challenged (3 Occurrences)
... (imp. & pp) of Challenge. Multi-Version Concordance Challenged (3 Occurrences).
Luke 22:64 or blindfolded Him, and then challenged Him. ...
/c/challenged.htm - 7k

Smote (281 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS). Luke 22:64 And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the
face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee? (KJV WBS YLT). ...
/s/smote.htm - 39k

Struck (373 Occurrences)
... right ear. (WEB WEY ASV NAS RSV NIV). Luke 22:64 Having blindfolded him,
they struck him on the face and asked him, "Prophesy! Who is ...
/s/struck.htm - 37k

Striking (25 Occurrences)
... Luke 22:64 and having blindfolded him, they were striking him on the face, and were
questioning him, saying, 'Prophesy who he is who smote thee?' (YLT). ...
/s/striking.htm - 14k

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