τυφλός (tuphlos)
tuphlos
blind
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 47 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek word tuphlos describes a state of being blind, whether referring to physical sight or mental perception. Its etymology suggests an origin in smoke or haze, implying that vision is obscured by something clouding the eyes. In the New Testament, this term appears frequently in the Gospels, particularly in Matthew and John, where it serves as a central metaphor for spiritual understanding.
While the word literally denotes physical blindness, its most striking usage occurs in metaphorical contexts. Jesus applies it to religious leaders who claim to see but are actually spiritually lost (Matthew 23:16-26). Conversely, he uses it to describe those who recognize their need for healing, such as the man born blind in John 9, whose physical condition becomes a stage for revealing divine light. This dual application highlights a recurring biblical theme: true sight begins with acknowledging one’s blindness.
The term also appears in non-Gospel writings, such as Peter’s warning about spiritual dullness (2 Peter 1:9) and John’s letter to the church in Laodicea (Revelation 3:17), where self-deception is equated with blindness. Translators typically render tuphlos simply as "blind," preserving its stark, unembellished force. The word does not soften the reality of ignorance or sin; instead, it presents them as a condition requiring external intervention to be resolved.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word tuphlos describes a state where vision is obscured, whether by physical darkness or spiritual haze. In the Gospels, Jesus frequently encounters those who are blind, offering them not just medical healing but a restoration of sight that points to deeper truth. When Bartimaeus cries out for mercy in Mark 10:51, his request to see again becomes a model for how we approach God. He does not pretend to have everything figured out; instead, he admits his need and asks for help.
This admission is the starting point for true understanding. Jesus uses the term to challenge religious leaders who claim to see but miss what matters most, while also blessing those who recognize their own limitations. Acknowledging our blindness allows us to rely on His light rather than our own flawed perception. It invites us to come as we are, trusting that He can clear the haze and show us the way forward.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 47 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- blind24×
- a blind [man]4×
- Blind4×
- blind!3×
- blind [man]3×
- blind [men]2×
- to blind1×
- to [the] blind1×
- the blind [man]1×
- of the blind.1×
- of [the] blind,1×
- of [the] blind1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- τυφλὸς13×
- τυφλοὶ8×
- τυφλὸν6×
- τυφλοῦ4×
- τυφλοί,4×
- τυφλῶν,2×
- τυφλός2×
- τυφλοῖς2×
- τυφλοὺς2×
- τυφλοί2×
- τυφλῷ1×
- τυφλῶν.1×
Key Verses
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Mark 10:51
Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “Rabboni, that I may see again.”
Bartimaeus explicitly asks Jesus to restore his sight, demonstrating that recognizing one's need is the first step toward receiving healing.
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Matthew 23:16
“Woe to you, you blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obligated.’
Jesus calls the religious leaders blind guides, highlighting the danger of spiritual self-deception when external observance replaces inner truth.
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Luke 4:18
“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 heal the broken hearted, to proclaim release to the captives, recovering of sight to the blind, to deliver those who are crushed,
Jesus quotes Isaiah to define His mission as bringing sight to the blind, linking physical healing with the proclamation of freedom and hope.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does tuphlos mean in the Bible?
How is tuphlos different from other words for darkness?
Why does Jesus use blindness as a metaphor?
Every Occurrence (47 verses across 8 books)
Matthew 14 verses
As Jesus passed by from there, two blind men followed him, calling out and saying, “Have mercy on us, son of David!”
Matthew 9:28When he had come into the house, the blind men came to him. Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do…
Matthew 11:5the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the…
Matthew 12:22Then one possessed by a demon, blind and mute, was brought to him; and he healed him, so that the blind and mute man…
Matthew 15:14Leave them alone. They are blind guides of the blind. If the blind guide the blind, both will fall into a pit.”
Matthew 15:30Great multitudes came to him, having with them the lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others, and they put them down…
Matthew 15:31so that the multitude wondered when they saw the mute speaking, the injured healed, the lame walking, and the blind…
Matthew 20:30Behold, two blind men sitting by the road, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, “Lord, have mercy on…
Matthew 21:14The lame and the blind came to him in the temple, and he healed them.
Matthew 23:16“Woe to you, you blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of…
Matthew 23:17You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold?
Matthew 23:19You blind fools! For which is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifies the gift?
Matthew 23:24You blind guides, who strain out a gnat, and swallow a camel!
Matthew 23:26You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the platter, that its outside may become clean also.