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.
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}.
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.”
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.”
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.
-
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.
Luke 11:36 concludes Jesus' teaching on the "lamp of the body," emphasizing the importance of spiritual integrity and inner illumination. It presents a powerful image of a life fully permeated by divine light, leaving no room for darkness, much like a well-lit room dispels all shadows.
Context
This verse immediately follows Jesus' discourse on the eye as the "lamp of the body" in Luke 11:34-35. In those verses, Jesus warns that if the "eye" (representing one's spiritual perception or inner disposition) is "evil" or "dark," the whole body will be full of darkness. Luke 11:36 serves as the positive counterpoint: if the eye is "good" or "single" (as in Matthew's parallel), then the entire being will be filled with light. This teaching is part of a broader section where Jesus challenges superficiality and calls for genuine spiritual understanding, contrasting with those who seek signs but miss the true light.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Greek word for "light" here is phōs (φῶς), which broadly refers to physical light, but in a spiritual context, it signifies truth, revelation, goodness, and divine presence. The "candle" (KJV) or "lamp" (other translations) is lychnos (λύχνος), a common household lamp, serving as a metaphor for something that makes truth or vision clear. The emphasis on "no part dark" highlights the idea of complete transparency and lack of hidden corruption, a concept central to spiritual integrity.
Practical Application
This verse challenges believers to a profound level of self-examination and spiritual sincerity. It prompts us to ask:
Luke 11:36 encourages a pursuit of complete spiritual transparency and integrity, where every part of one's being is brought into the transforming light of God's truth.