210. 'And blind and naked' signifies that they are without an understanding of truth and a will of good. By 'the blind' in the Word are understood those who are without truths as a result either of a lack thereof in the Church, or of ignorance, or of not understanding them; and by 'the naked' are understood those who are consequently without goods; for every spiritual good is furnished by means of truths. No others are understood by 'the blind' in the following passages:-
Then in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of dense darkness Isa. xxix 18.
Behold, your God will come; then the eyes of the blind shall be opened Isa. xxxv 4-6.
I will give thee for a light of the nations, to open the blind eyes Isa. xlii 6-8.
I will lead the blind into a way that they have not known, I will turn their darkness into light Isa. xlii 16.
Bring forth the blind people who have eyes, and the deaf who have ears Isa. xliii 8.
His watchmen are all blind, and do not know to understand Isa. lvi 10, 11.
He has blinded their eyes, and closed up their heart, that they may not see with the eyes, nor understand with the heart John xii 40.
Jesus said, For judgment have I come into the world, that they who see not may see, and that they who see may become blind John ix 39-41.
Blind guides, stupid and foolish Matt. xxiii 16, 17, 19, 24.
Blind leaders of the blind Matt. xv 14; Luke vi 39.
On account of the signification of 'blind' and 'blindness' it was forbidden to offer what was blind for a sacrifice (Lev. xxi 18; Deut. xv 21). They should not put a stumbling-block before the blind (Lev. xix 14). He would be cursed who should make the blind go astray (Deut. xxvii 18). Concerning the signification of 'naked' and 'nakedness' [something] may be seen below (n. 213).
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