Matthew 6:22

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.

Complete Jewish Bible:

`The eye is the lamp of the body.' So if you have a `good eye' [that is, if you are generous] your whole body will be full of light;

Berean Standard Bible:

The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light.

American Standard Version:

The lamp of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

The light^{G3088} of the body^{G4983} is^{G2076} the eye^{G3788}: if^{G1437} therefore^{G3767} thine^{G4675} eye^{G3788} be^{G5600} single^{G573}, thy^{G4675} whole^{G3650} body^{G4983} shall be^{G2071} full of light^{G5460}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Luke 11:34

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.

Luke 11:36

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.

2 Corinthians 11:3

But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

Colossians 3:22

Servants, obey in all things [your] masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:

Ephesians 6:5

Servants, be obedient to them that are [your] masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;

Acts 2:46

And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

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Commentary for Matthew 6:22

Matthew 6:22 is part of the Sermon on the Mount, a significant discourse by Jesus Christ that covers ethical and religious teachings, found in the Gospel of Matthew chapters 5-7. The verse uses metaphorical language to convey spiritual truth. The "light of the body" is understood to represent spiritual clarity and understanding, while the "eye" symbolizes the means by which one perceives and interacts with the world. The phrase "if therefore thine eye be single" has been interpreted in various ways, with "single" suggesting wholeness, soundness, or being undivided in focus and intention. Thus, if one's focus (the eye) is centered on God and righteousness, their whole being (the body) will be filled with spiritual illumination and guidance.

Historically, this verse reflects the ancient understanding of the eye as a conduit for light and, by extension, knowledge and truth. In a broader cultural context, the notion of the "eye" being a source of spiritual and moral insight is found in various wisdom traditions. The call for singularity of vision challenges the listener to avoid duplicity and hypocrisy, which were concerns Jesus addressed throughout His teachings. By emphasizing the importance of a clear and focused spiritual gaze, Jesus encourages His followers to pursue integrity and a life that is wholly aligned with the divine will, leading to a life that is "full of light," or full of goodness, truth, and the presence of God.

*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: G1437
There are 254 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐάν
Transliteration: eán
Pronunciation: eh-an'
Description: from εἰ and ἄν; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty:--before, but, except, (and) if, (if) so, (what-, whither-)soever, though, when (-soever), whether (or), to whom, (who-)so(-ever). See μή.
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: 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: 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: 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.

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