Biblical Passages on Visual Impairments

By: Carmen Willings
teachingvisuallyimpaired.com
Updated June 12, 2025

Old Testament Insights

The Old Testament contains several references to individuals who are blind, offering valuable insight into how blindness was viewed in ancient times. These references reveal that people with visual impairments were often marginalized or mistreated, and God gave specific commands to counter this injustice. For example, in Leviticus 19:14, God instructs:

"Do not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block in front of the blind, but fear your God. I am the Lord."

Such commands indicate that people with disabilities were vulnerable to mistreatment—otherwise, such warnings would not have been necessary. God's instructions were a clear call for justice, compassion, and dignity toward those who were blind.

In Leviticus and Deuteronomy, God also provides guidance on making offerings and sacrifices. The Israelites were cautioned against offering blemished or imperfect animals—those they did not value—as sacrifices to God (Deuteronomy 15:21; Leviticus 22:22). This practice reflected a deeper spiritual issue: the people were giving to God what they deemed unworthy, revealing a lack of true reverence and faith.

Importantly, this was not a condemnation of the animals' physical defects, nor a reflection of how God viewed individuals with disabilities. Rather, it was a condemnation of the people's attitudes and hearts. The Bible consistently affirms that God values every person, regardless of physical ability. He calls His people to honor the dignity of all individuals, and He often chooses to work through human weakness for His glory.

The Lord said to him, “Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD?" Exodus 4:11

"Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the innocent." Exodus 23:8

“’Do not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block in front of the blind, but fear your God. I am the LORD." Leviticus 19:14

No man who has any defect may come near: no man who is blind or lame, disfigured or deformed; no man with a crippled foot or hand, or who is hunchbacked or dwarfed, or who has any eye defect, or who has festering or running sores or damaged testicles. Leviticus 21:18-19

Do not offer to the LORD the blind, the injured or the maimed, or anything with warts or festering or running sores. Do not place any of these on the altar as an offering made to the LORD by fire. Leviticus 22:22

If an animal has a defect, is lame or blind, or has any serious flaw, you must not sacrifice it to the LORD your God. Deuteronomy 15:21

Do not pervert justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous. Deuteronomy 16:19

“Cursed is the man who leads the blind astray on the road.” Then all the people shall say, “Amen!” Deuteronomy 27:18

At midday you will grope about like a blind man in the dark. You will be unsuccessful in everything you do; day after day you will be oppressed and robbed, with no one to rescue you. Deuteronomy 28:29

The king and his men marched to Jerusalem to attack the Jebusites, who lived there. The Jebusites said to David, “You will not get in here; even the blind and the lame can ward you off.” They thought, “David cannot get in here.” Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion, the City of David. On that day, David said, “Anyone who conquers the Jebusites will have to use the water shaft to reach those ‘lame and blind’ who are David’s enemies.” That is why they say, “The ‘blind and lame’ will not enter the palace.” Christians are to be ambassadors for the kingdom of God. It is, therefore, our task to be involved in Jesus’ concern for healing, for the poor, and for those that society ignores. 2 Samuel 5:6-8

I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame. Job 29:15

The LORD gives sight to the blind, the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down, the LORD loves the righteous. Psalm 146:8

In that day the deaf will hear the words of the scroll, and out of gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind will see. Isaiah 29:18

Be stunned and amazed, blind yourselves and be sightless; be drunk, but not from wine, stagger, but not from beer. Isaiah 29:9

Then will the ey es of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Isaiah 35:5

“I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness. Isaiah 42:6-7

I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. Isaiah 42:16

“Hear, you deaf; look, you blind, and see! Who is blind but my servant, and deaf like the messenger I send? Who is blind like the one committed to me, blind like the servant of the LORD? Isaiah 42:18-19

Lead out those who have eyes but are blind, who have ears but are deaf. Isaiah 43:8

Israel’s watchmen are blind, they all lack knowledge; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they lie around and dream, they love to sleep. Isaiah 56:10

Like the blind we grope along the wall, feeling our way like men without eyes. At midday we stumble as if it were twilight; among the strong, we are like the dead. Isaiah 59:10

See, I will bring them from the land of the north and gather them from the ends of the earth. Among them will be the blind and the lame, expectant mothers and women in labor; a great throng will return. Jeremiah 31:8

Now they grope through the streets like men who are blind. They are so defiled with blood that no one dares to touch their garments. Lamentations 4:14

I will bring distress on the people and they will walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the LORD. Their blood will be poured out like dust and their entrails like filth. Zephaniah 1:17

When you bring blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice crippled or diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you? Says the LORD Almighty. Malachi 1:8

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, Jesus’ ministry brought a renewed focus on compassion, healing, and spiritual insight. Physical blindness was a common condition addressed in His healings, and Jesus frequently used blindness as a metaphor for spiritual condition. For example, Jesus says:

"If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit." Matthew 15:14,

This metaphor was not about physical blindness, but about spiritual ignorance and the danger of being led astray by those who lack true understanding. Similarly, in John 9, Jesus heals a man who was born blind and uses the moment to teach that physical blindness is not a punishment for sin:

"Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him." (John 9:3)

This powerful statement counters the prevailing assumption of the time that disabilities were a result of divine judgment. Instead, Jesus reveals that God can use every person’s life—regardless of ability—for divine purposes.

Throughout His ministry, Jesus restored sight to the blind as both a physical act of mercy and a symbolic act of revealing spiritual truth. He came to heal both the eyes and the heart, affirming that true sight involves recognizing God’s truth and grace.

As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” “yes, Lord,” they replied,” Then he touched their eyes and said “According to your faith will it be done to you”; and their sight was restored. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.” But they went out and spread the news about him all over that region. While they were going out, a man who was demon-possessed and could not talk was brought to Jesus. And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.” But the Pharisees said, “It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons.” Matthew 9:27-34

The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Matthew 11:5

Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see. Matthew 12:22

He replied, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. Leave them; they are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.” Matthew 15:13-14

Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them. The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel. Matthew 15:30-31

As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. “Lord,” they answered, “we want our sight.” Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him. Matthew 20:30

The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. Matthew 21:14

“Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath,’ You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred? You also say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gift on it, he is bound by his oath.’ You blind men! Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred? Matthew 23:16-19

You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel. Matthew 23:24

Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. Matthew 23:26

They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?” He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.” Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly Jesus sent him home, saying, “Don’t go into the village.” Mark 8:22-26

Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the Son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet He’s calling you.” Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. Mark 10:46-52

“The spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Luke 4:18

He also told them this parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.” Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. Luke 6:39-42

At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. So he replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.” Luke 7:21-23

But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” Luke 14:13

“The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’ Luke 14:21

As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” He called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me” Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord, I want to see,” he replied. Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God. Luke 18:35

Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. John 5:3

As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” Having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means Sent). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing. His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, “Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?” some claimed that he was. Others said, “No, he only looks like him.” But he himself insisted, “I am the man.” “How then were your eyes opened?” they demanded. He replied, “The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see.” “Where is this man?” they asked him. “I don’t know,” he said. John 9:1-12

They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. John 9:13

Finally they turned again to the blind man, “What have you to say about him? It was your eyes he opened. The man replied, “He is a prophet.” The Jews still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they sent for the man’s parents. “Is this your son?” they asked. “Is this the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see?” “We know he is our son,” the parents answered, “and we know he was born blind. But how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don’t know. John 9:17-20

A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. “Give glory to God, “ they said. “We know this man is a sinner.” He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” Then they asked him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” John 9:24-26

The man answered, “Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does his will. Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” To this they replied, “You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!” And they threw him out. John 9:30-34

Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” “Who is he, sir?” the man asked. “Tell me so that I may believe in him.” Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.” Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him. Jesus said, “for judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.” Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, “What? Are we blind too?” Jesus said, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains. John 9:35-41 on Spiritual Blindness

But others said, “These are not the saying s of a man possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind? John 10:21

But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?” John 11:37

"He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so they can neither see with their eyes, nor understand with their hearts, nor turn - and I would heal them." John 12:40

For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything. Acts 9:9

Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind, and for a time you will be unable to see the light of the sun.” Acts 13:11

If you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth—you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal?

The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 2 Corinthians 4:4

But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. 2 Peter 1:9

But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them." 1 John 2:11

You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:17-20

A Christian Response

Both the Old and New Testaments affirm a deep theological truth: all people are made in the image of God and are equally valued in His sight. Christians are called to respect, include, and uplift individuals with disabilities, not just as an act of kindness, but as an act of obedience to God's commands and an expression of Christ-like love.

Disability is never presented in Scripture as something that diminishes a person’s worth. Instead, the biblical message is clear—God has a purpose for everyone, and often it is through human weakness that God’s strength is made known (2 Corinthians 12:9).

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