As an ass, laden with the most valuable books, is unconscious of their use or
value; just so the Jews, though the constituted custodians of the inspired
Scriptures, were all unconscious of their sacred contents, and disqualified to
profit by them.
This illustration forcibly supports the view taken throughout the Corân
respecting the position and conduct of the Jews; and it does not materially
differ from the sentiments which are often- expressed regarding them by
Christians. Though possessing the word of God pure and intact in the old
Testament, the Jews have not spiritual perception enough to see its true
bearing. They are blind to the truth.
The spirit of the passage is plainly an acknowledgment that the Jews were
possessed of the real word of God, if they had only the sense to recognize and
use the same aright; but they were too ignorant and darkened to understand it.