210. And blind and naked, signifies that they are without the understanding of truth, and the will of good. By "the blind," in the Word, are meant those who are without truths, either from a defect thereof in the church and so from ignorance, or from not understanding them; and by "the naked" are meant those who thence are without goods; for all spiritual good is acquired by truths. No others are meant 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 thick darkness (Isa. 29:18). Behold, your God will come; then the eyes of the blind shall be opened (Isa. 35:4-5). I will give thee for a light of the Gentiles, to open the blind eyes (Isa. 42:6-7). I will lead the blind in a way that they knew not, I will make their darkness light (Isa. 42:16). Bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that have ears (Isa. 43:8). His watchmen are all blind, and do not know to understand (Isa. 56:10-11). He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart, that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart (John 12:40). Jesus said, For judgment am I come into the world, that they which see not might see, and that they which see, might be made blind (John 9:39-41). Blind, foolish, infatuated guides (Matt. 23:16, 17, 19, 24). Blind, leaders of the blind (Matt. 15:14; Luke 6:39). By reason of the signification of "blind" and "blindness," it was forbidden to offer for sacrifice anything that was blind (Lev. 21:18; Deut. 15:21). That they should not cast a stumbling-block before the blind (Lev. 19:14). That he was cursed who made the blind to wander (Deut. 27:18). Concerning the signification of "naked" and "nakedness," see below (n. 213).
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