Causes of Spiritual Blindness and Deafness to Jesus' Words
Spiritual blindness and deafness refer to an inability to perceive or understand divine truths and the words of God [3, 9]. This condition is distinct from physical blindness, though biblical texts often use physical sight and hearing as metaphors for spiritual perception [12]. Jesus himself encountered individuals who were physically blind, and his ability to restore their sight was seen as a sign of the Messiah [2, 4, 8].
The Bible identifies several causes for this spiritual insensitivity:
- Sin and Unbelief: Sin is a primary cause, leading to a darkening of understanding and alienation from God's life [1, 5]. Unbelief also contributes to spiritual blindness, as seen in Romans 11:8 and 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 [5]. John 3:19-20 indicates that people's evil deeds prevent them from coming into the light [5].
- Ignorance: A lack of knowledge about God and Christ can lead to spiritual blindness [1, 6]. This ignorance is evidenced by a lack of love, failure to keep God's commands, and living in sin [6]. It can result in error, idolatry, and alienation from God [6].
- Rebellion and Hardness of Heart: The prophet Isaiah describes Israel as spiritually blind and deaf because they refused to listen to God's word and understand His actions in history [9]. John Calvin notes that the Jews were deprived of reason and understanding due to their rebellion against God [10]. This rebellion can lead to a "stupidity" that blinds individuals to even the plainest truths [11].
- Influence of Satan: The devil is also identified as a cause of spiritual blindness, specifically in 2 Corinthians 4:4, where he is said to blind the minds of unbelievers [5].
- Divine Judgment: Spiritual blindness can also be a judicial act of God, a punishment for disobedience and unbelief [3, 5]. Isaiah 29:10 speaks of God pouring out a spirit of deep sleep, closing eyes and covering heads [5]. However, Thomas Aquinas clarifies that while God may withdraw grace, leading to spiritual blindness, He is not the direct cause of the human mind's movement towards evil or sin [7].
The consequence of spiritual blindness is significant, leading to all forms of evil [5]. Those who are self-righteous or wicked are often described as being in this state [5]. The opening of the eyes of the blind, both physically and spiritually, is a work peculiar to the Messiah [3, 8]. This transformation from spiritual blindness and deafness to understanding and knowing God is a key theme in prophetic literature [12, 13]. Charles Hodge emphasizes that until enlightened by the Holy Spirit, individuals remain spiritually blind and unable to discern spiritual truths [14].
Sources
- Ephesians “Ephesians 4:18 (KJV) — Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:”
- John “John 10:21 (BBE) — Others said, These are not the words of one who has an evil spirit. Is it possible for an evil spirit to make blind people see?”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Blind — Blind beggars are frequently mentioned (Matt. 9:27; 12:22; 20:30; John 5:3). The blind are to be treated with compassion (Lev. 19:14; Deut. 27:18). Blindness was sometimes a punishment for disobedience (1 Sam. 11:2; Jer. 39:7), sometimes the effect of old age (Gen. 27:1; 1 Kings 14:4; 1 Sam. 4:15). Conquerors sometimes blinded their captives (2 Kings 25:7; 1 Sam. 11:2). Blindness denotes ignorance as to spiritual things (Isa. 6:10; 42:18, 19; Matt. 15:14; Eph. 4:18). The opening of the eyes of the blind is peculiar to the Messiah (Isa. 29:18). Elymas was smit”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Blindness — is extremely common in the East from many causes. Blind beggars figure repeatedly in the New Testament (Matthew 12:22) and "opening the eyes of the blind" is mentioned in prophecy as a peculiar attribute of the Messiah. (Isaiah 29:18; 42:7) etc. The Jews were specially charged to treat the blind with compassion and care. (Leviticus 19:14; 27:18) Blindness willfully inflicted for political or other purposes is alluded to in Scripture. (1 Samuel 11:2; Jeremiah 39:7)”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Blindness, Spiritual — Explained -- Joh 1:5; 1Co 2:14. The effect of sin -- Isa 29:10; Mt 6:23; Joh 3:19,20. Unbelief, the effect of -- Ro 11:8; 2Co 4:3,4. Uncharitableness, a proof of -- 1Jo 2:9,11. A work of the devil -- 2Co 4:4. Leads to all evil -- Eph 4:17-19. Is consistent with communion with God -- 1Jo 1:6,7. Of ministers, fatal to themselves and to the people -- Mt 15:14. The wicked are in -- Ps 82:5; Jer 5:21. The self-righteous are in -- Mt 23:19,26; Re 3:17. The wicked wilfully guilty of -- Isa 26:11; Ro 1:19-21. Judicially inflicted -- Ps 69:23; Isa 29:10”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Ignorance of God — Ignorance of Christ is -- Joh 8:19. Evidenced by Want of love. -- 1Jo 4:8. Not keeping his commands. -- 1Jo 2:4. Living in sin. -- Tit 1:16; 1Jo 3:6. Leads to Error. -- Mt 22:29. Idolatry. -- Isa 44:19; Ac 17:29,30. Alienation from God. -- Eph 4:18. Sinful lusts. -- 1Th 4:5; 1Pe 1:14. Persecuting saints. -- Joh 15:21; 16:3. Is no excuse for sin -- Le 4:2; Lu 12:48. The wicked, in a state of -- Jer 9:3; Joh 15:21; 17:25; Ac 17:30. The wicked choose -- Job 21:14; Ro 1:28. Punishment of -- Ps 79:6; 2Th 1:8. Ministers should Compassionate those in. -- ”
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, First Part of the Second Part (Prima Secundae), Of the External Causes of Sin, Art. 3: Article: Whether God is the cause of spiritual blindness and hardness of heart? I answer that, Spiritual blindness and hardness of heart imply two things. One is the movement of the human mind in cleaving to evil, and turning away from the Divine light; and as regards this, God is not the cause of spiritual blindness and hardness of heart, just as He is not the cause of sin. The other thing is the withdrawal of grace, the result of which is that the mind is not enlightened by God ”
- Isaiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Isaiah 35:5: Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,.... Which was literally fulfilled in the first coming of Christ, Mat 9:27, Joh 9:1 and spiritually, both among Jews and Gentiles; especially the latter, under the ministry of the apostles, when those who were blind as to spiritual things had no knowledge of God in Christ; nor of the way of salvation by him; nor of the plague of their own hearts; nor of the work of the Spirit of God upon the soul; nor of the truths of the Gospel; through the power of divine grace had the eyes of their understanding opened, so as to see their ”
- Isaiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Isaiah 42:18: 42:18-20 The Israelites who refused to listen to what God said and to understand what they saw God doing in history were rendered spiritually blind and deaf (see 6:9-10). They had knowledge of the truth through God’s word and the prophets, but their closed minds refused to act upon it.”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 1, section 12.23: here described. The Evangelist applies to the Gospel what had already taken place under the law, and at the same time shows that the Jews were deprived of reason and understanding, because they were rebels against God. Yet if you inquire into the first cause, we must come to the predestination of God. But as that purpose is hidden from us, we must not too eagerly search into it; for the everlasting scheme of the divine purpose is beyond our reach, but we ought to consider the cause which lies plainly before our eyes, namely, the rebellion by”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 2, section 17.15: indolence and stupidity. A proof of this is given daily in many persons; for spiritual “drunkenness” engrosses and stupefies all their senses to such a degree, that they are blind to the plainest subjects; and, when God shews the brightest light of justice and equity, they are so completely dazzled, that their dim vision bewilders them more and more. This stupidity is a just punishment which the Lord inflicts on them on account of their unbelief. In order that we may apply this statement of the Prophet for our own use, it is proper to observ”
- Isaiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Isaiah 35:5: 35:5 eyes . . . ears: There will be a transformation from spiritual blindness and deafness to understanding and knowing God (6:10; 29:18; 32:3; 42:7; see also Luke 7:22; Acts 26:18).”
- Isaiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Isaiah 29:18: deaf . . . blind--(Compare Mat 11:5). The spiritually blind, &c., are chiefly meant; "the book," as Revelation is called pre-eminently, shall be no longer "sealed," as is described (Isa 29:11), but the most unintelligent shall hear and see (Isa 35:5).”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 54: the state of men since the fall proves that until enlightened by the Holy Ghost they are spiritually blind, unable to discern the true nature of the things of the Spirit, and therefore incapable of receiving a due impression from them. Experience confirms this teaching of the Bible. It shows that no mere moral power of truth as presented objectively to the mind is of any avail to change the hearts of men. There once appeared on earth a divine person clothed in our nature; exhibiting the perfection of moral excellence in the form of a huma”