No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth [it] in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.
{G1161} No man {G3762}, when he hath lighted {G681} a candle {G3088}, putteth {G5087} it in {G1519} a secret place {G2926}, neither {G3761} under {G5259} a bushel {G3426}, but {G235} on {G1909} a candlestick {G3087}, that {G2443} they which {G3588} come in {G1531} may see {G991} the light {G5338}.
“No one who has kindled a lamp hides it or places it under a bowl; rather, he puts it on a stand, so that those coming in may see its light.
No one lights a lamp and puts it in a cellar or under a basket. Instead, he sets it on a stand, so those who enter can see the light.
No man, when he hath lighted a lamp, putteth it in a cellar, neither under the bushel, but on the stand, that they which enter in may see the light.
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Luke 8:16
No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth [it] under a bed; but setteth [it] on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light. -
Luke 8:17
For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither [any thing] hid, that shall not be known and come abroad. -
Mark 4:21
¶ And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick? -
Mark 4:22
For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad. -
Matthew 5:15
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. -
Matthew 5:16
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. -
John 12:46
I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.
In Luke 11:33, Jesus uses a simple, relatable parable to illustrate a profound spiritual truth. This verse is part of a larger discourse where Jesus emphasizes the importance of spiritual perception and the manifestation of truth, immediately following His teaching on the "sign of Jonah" and preceding His words about the "light of the body."
Context
This proverb about the lamp and its proper placement is found in slightly different contexts in the Gospels, also appearing in Matthew 5:15 and Mark 4:21. In Luke 11, it serves as a bridge, connecting Jesus' teaching on the necessity of a clear spiritual eye (Luke 11:34-36) with His identity as the source of light. He is implicitly saying that His presence and teachings are like a lighted lamp, meant to illuminate, not to be concealed.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The KJV uses "candle," but the Greek word is lychnos (λυχνον), which more accurately refers to an oil lamp—a common household item in ancient times. The "bushel" is modion (μοδιον), a large container used for measuring grain, which would completely obscure or extinguish the lamp if placed over it. The "candlestick" is lychnia (λυχνιαν), a lampstand designed to elevate the lamp so its light could spread effectively throughout the room, fulfilling its intended purpose.
Practical Application
This verse challenges believers today to consider where and how they are shining their light. Are we allowing our faith, our gifts, and the truth of the Gospel to be seen by others, or are we hiding them out of fear, apathy, or convenience? It encourages us to:
Just as a lamp is lit for the purpose of illumination, so too are believers given the light of Christ to impact their surroundings. We are called to be visible instruments of God's grace and truth.