King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when [thine eye] is evil, thy body also [is] full of darkness.
Complete Jewish Bible:
The lamp of your body is the eye. When you have a ‘good eye,’ [that is, when you are generous,] your whole body is full of light; but when you have an ‘evil eye,’ [when you are stingy,] your body is full of darkness.
Berean Standard Bible:
Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are good, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are bad, your body is full of darkness.
American Standard Version:
The lamp of thy body is thine eye: when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when it is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
The light{G3088} of the body{G4983} is{G2076} the eye{G3788}: therefore{G3767} when{G1875} thine{G4675} eye{G3788} is{G5600} single{G573}, thy{G4675} whole{G3650} body{G4983} also{G2532} is{G2076} full of light{G5460}; but{G1161} when{G3752} thine eye is{G5600} evil{G4190}, thy{G4675} body{G4983} also{G2532} is full of darkness{G4652}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Matthew 6:22
- The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.
Matthew 6:23
- But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great [is] that darkness!
Acts 26:18
- To open their eyes, [and] to turn [them] from darkness to light, and [from] the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
Psalms 119:18
- ¶ Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
Romans 11:8
- (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.
Romans 11:10
- Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.
Jeremiah 5:21
- Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not:
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Luke 11:34
Luke 11:34 is a verse that speaks metaphorically about spiritual clarity and integrity. The "eye" in this context is understood to represent one's perspective, attention, or focus—essentially the lens through which one views life and makes decisions. When Jesus says, "The light of the body is the eye," He is suggesting that a person's spiritual and moral condition is reflected in what they choose to focus on.
The phrase "when thine eye is single" has been interpreted in various ways. One common understanding is that it refers to having a clear, undivided focus or pure intentions, akin to having a "single" or "sound" eye, free from disease or impairment. This purity of intention and singleness of purpose results in a life filled with "light," symbolizing truth, wisdom, and holiness. In contrast, "when thine eye is evil" suggests a focus that is morally corrupt or self-serving, leading to a life filled with "darkness," which represents ignorance, sin, and moral confusion.
Historically, this verse is part of the teachings of Jesus during His ministry in the region of Galilee, as recorded in the Gospel of Luke. The themes presented in this verse are consistent with Jesus' broader teachings on inner purity, the importance of one's spiritual vision, and the consequences of one's moral choices. It reflects the Jewish wisdom tradition's emphasis on the heart's orientation affecting one's actions and the overall health of one's life, a concept also found in the teachings of the Torah and the Prophets.
In summary, Luke 11:34 emphasizes the importance of maintaining a clear and morally upright focus in life. It teaches that one's spiritual and ethical vision has a profound impact on their entire being, leading either to enlightenment and righteousness or to moral darkness and corruption. This teaching encourages self-examination and the pursuit of a life aligned with the divine light, a message that remains relevant across different historical and cultural contexts.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: G3088
There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: λύχνος
Transliteration: lýchnos
Pronunciation: lookh'-nos
Description: from the base of λευκός; a portable lamp or other illuminator (literally or figuratively):--candle, light. - Strong's Number: G4983
There are 122 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: σῶμα
Transliteration: sōma
Pronunciation: so'-mah
Description: from σώζω; the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively:--bodily, body, slave. - Strong's Number: G2076
There are 812 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐστί
Transliteration: estí
Pronunciation: es-tee'
Description: third person singular present indicative of εἰμί; he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are:--are, be(-long), call, X can(-not), come, consisteth, X dure for a while, + follow, X have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, X must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle. - Strong's Number: G3788
There are 86 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὀφθαλμός
Transliteration: ophthalmós
Pronunciation: of-thal-mos'
Description: from ὀπτάνομαι; the eye (literally or figuratively); by implication, vision; figuratively, envy (from the jealous side-glance):--eye, sight. - Strong's Number: G3767
There are 519 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: οὖν
Transliteration: oûn
Pronunciation: oon
Description: apparently a primary word; (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly:--and (so, truly), but, now (then), so (likewise then), then, therefore, verily, wherefore. - Strong's Number: G1875
There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐπάν
Transliteration: epán
Pronunciation: ep-an'
Description: from ἐπί and ἄν; a particle of indefinite contemporaneousness; whenever, as soon as:--when. - Strong's Number: G4675
There are 360 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: σοῦ
Transliteration: soû
Pronunciation: soo
Description: genitive case of σύ; of thee, thy:--X home, thee, thine (own), thou, thy. - Strong's Number: G5600
There are 62 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὦ
Transliteration: ō
Pronunciation: ay
Description: the subjunctive of εἰμί; (may, might, can, could, would, should, must, etc.; also with εἰ and its comparative, as well as with other particles) be:--+ appear, are, (may, might, should) be, X have, is, + pass the flower of her age, should stand, were. - Strong's Number: G573
There are 1026 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἁπλοῦς
Transliteration: haploûs
Pronunciation: hap-looce'
Description: probably from Α (as a particle of union) and the base of πλέκω; properly, folded together, i.e. single (figuratively, clear):--single. - Strong's Number: G3650
There are 99 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὅλος
Transliteration: hólos
Pronunciation: hol'-os
Description: a primary word; "whole" or "all", i.e. complete (in extent, amount, time or degree), especially (neuter) as noun or adverb:--all, altogether, every whit, + throughout, whole. - Strong's Number: G2532
There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καί
Transliteration: kaí
Pronunciation: kahee
Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet. - Strong's Number: G5460
There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: φωτεινός
Transliteration: phōteinós
Pronunciation: fo-ti-nos'
Description: from φῶς; lustrous, i.e. transparent or well-illuminated (figuratively):--bright, full of light. - Strong's Number: G1161
There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: δέ
Transliteration: dé
Pronunciation: deh
Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English). - Strong's Number: G3752
There are 118 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὅταν
Transliteration: hótan
Pronunciation: hot'-an
Description: from ὅτε and ἄν; whenever (implying hypothesis or more or less uncertainty); also causatively (conjunctionally) inasmuch as:--as long (soon) as, that, + till, when(-soever), while. - Strong's Number: G4190
There are 71 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πονηρός
Transliteration: ponērós
Pronunciation: pon-ay-ros'
Description: from a derivative of πόνος; hurtful, i.e. evil (properly, in effect or influence, and thus differing from κακός, which refers rather to essential character, as well as from σαπρός, which indicates degeneracy from original virtue); figuratively, calamitous; also (passively) ill, i.e. diseased; but especially (morally) culpable, i.e. derelict, vicious, facinorous; neuter (singular) mischief, malice, or (plural) guilt; masculine (singular) the devil, or (plural) sinners:--bad, evil, grievous, harm, lewd, malicious, wicked(-ness). See also πονηρότερος. - Strong's Number: G4652
There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: σκοτεινός
Transliteration: skoteinós
Pronunciation: skot-i-nos'
Description: from σκότος; opaque, i.e. (figuratively) benighted:--dark, full of darkness.