Luke 11:36

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

If thy whole body therefore [be] full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.

Complete Jewish Bible:

If, then, your whole body is filled with light, with no part dark, it will be wholly lighted, as when a brightly lit lamp shines on you.”

Berean Standard Bible:

So if your whole body is full of light, with no part of it in darkness, you will be radiant, as though a lamp were shining on you.”

American Standard Version:

If therefore thy whole body be full of light, having no part dark, it shall be wholly full of light, as when the lamp with its bright shining doth give thee light.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

If^{G1487} thy^{G4675} whole^{G3650} body^{G4983} therefore^{G3767} be full of light^{G5460}, having^{G2192} no^{G3361}^{G5100} part^{G3313} dark^{G4652}, the whole^{G3650} shall be^{G2071} full of light^{G5460}, as^{G5613} when^{G3752} the bright shining^{G796} of a candle^{G3088} doth give^{G5461} thee^{G4571} light^{G5461}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Proverbs 20:27

¶ The spirit of man [is] the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.

Proverbs 4:18

But the path of the just [is] as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

Proverbs 4:19

The way of the wicked [is] as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.

Proverbs 6:23

For the commandment [is] a lamp; and the law [is] light; and reproofs of instruction [are] the way of life:

2 Corinthians 4:6

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to [give] the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

2 Timothy 3:15

And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 3:17

That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

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Commentary for Luke 11:36

Luke 11:36 is part of the Gospel of Luke, which is one of the four canonical Gospels in the New Testament. This verse follows the parable of the good Samaritan and various teachings of Jesus, including the Lord's Prayer. The Gospel of Luke was written by Luke, a physician and companion of Paul, around 80-90 AD, and is known for its attention to detail, emphasis on prayer, and concern for the marginalized.

The verse speaks metaphorically about the importance of internal purity and integrity. In the broader context, Jesus is addressing the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, who were strict in their outward observance of the law but, according to Jesus, were inwardly corrupt. The theme of the verse is that one's entire being should be guided by goodness and truth, symbolized by light. If a person is filled with light, with no hidden darkness, then their whole life will radiate goodness, much like a well-lit room where every corner is illuminated by the light of a candle.

Historically, this teaching would have resonated with the Jewish understanding of light as a symbol of God's presence, truth, and holiness. The metaphor of light contrasts sharply with darkness, which represents evil, ignorance, and sin. By using this imagery, Jesus emphasizes the importance of a consistent and authentic life, where one's inner thoughts and motives align with their outward actions. The call is to live in such a way that one's entire life is a testimony to the divine light within, an idea that would have been revolutionary and challenging to both Jesus' followers and his critics.

*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: G1487
There are 271 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: εἰ
Transliteration: ei
Pronunciation: i
Description: a primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.:--forasmuch as, if, that, (al-)though, whether. Often used in connection or composition with other particles, especially as in εἴγε, εἰ δὲ μή(γε), εἰ καί, εἰ μή, εἰ μή τι, εἴ περ, εἴ πως, εἴ τις, ἐκ. See also ἐάν.
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: 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: 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: 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: 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: G2192
There are 628 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἔχω
Transliteration: échō
Pronunciation: skheh'-o
Description: a primary verb; to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or condition):--be (able, X hold, possessed with), accompany, + begin to amend, can(+ -not), X conceive, count, diseased, do + eat, + enjoy, + fear, following, have, hold, keep, + lack, + go to law, lie, + must needs, + of necessity, + need, next, + recover, + reign, + rest, + return, X sick, take for, + tremble, + uncircumcised, use.
Strong's Number: G3361
There are 602 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: μή
Transliteration: mḗ
Pronunciation: may
Description: a primary particle of qualified negation (whereas οὐ expresses an absolute denial); (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas οὐ expects an affirmative one)) whether:--any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without. Often used in compounds in substantially the same relations. See also ἐὰν μή, ἵνα μή, οὐ μή, μῆκος, μηκύνω, μήν, μὴ οὐκ.
Strong's Number: G5100
There are 419 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: τὶς
Transliteration: tìs
Pronunciation: tis
Description: an enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object:--a (kind of), any (man, thing, thing at all), certain (thing), divers, he (every) man, one (X thing), ought, + partly, some (man, -body, - thing, -what), (+ that no-)thing, what(-soever), X wherewith, whom(-soever), whose(-soever).
Strong's Number: G3313
There are 41 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: μέρος
Transliteration: méros
Pronunciation: mer'-os
Description: from an obsolete but more primary form of (to get as a section or allotment); a division or share (literally or figuratively, in a wide application):--behalf, course, coast, craft, particular (+ -ly), part (+ -ly), piece, portion, respect, side, some sort(-what).
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.
Strong's Number: G2071
There are 170 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἔσομαι
Transliteration: ésomai
Pronunciation: es'-om-ahee
Description: future of εἰμί; will be:--shall (should) be (have), (shall) come (to pass), X may have, X fall, what would follow, X live long, X sojourn.
Strong's Number: G5613
There are 433 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὡς
Transliteration: hōs
Pronunciation: hoce
Description: probably adverb of comparative from ὅς; which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows):--about, after (that), (according) as (it had been, it were), as soon (as), even as (like), for, how (greatly), like (as, unto), since, so (that), that, to wit, unto, when(-soever), while, X with all speed.
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: G796
There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀστραπή
Transliteration: astrapḗ
Pronunciation: as-trap-ay'
Description: from ἀστράπτω; lightning; by analogy, glare:--lightning, bright shining.
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: G5461
There are 11 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: φωτίζω
Transliteration: phōtízō
Pronunciation: fo-tid'-zo
Description: from φῶς; to shed rays, i.e. to shine or (transitively) to brighten up (literally or figuratively):--enlighten, illuminate, (bring to, give) light, make to see.
Strong's Number: G4571
There are 179 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: σέ
Transliteration: sé
Pronunciation: seh
Description: accusative case singular of σύ; thee:--thee, thou, X thy house.

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