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!

But {G1161} if {G1437} thine {G4675} eye {G3788} be {G5600} evil {G4190}, thy {G4675} whole {G3650} body {G4983} shall be {G2071} full of darkness {G4652}. If {G1487} therefore {G3767} the light {G5457} that is {G2076} in {G1722} thee {G4671} be darkness {G4655}, how great {G4214} is that darkness {G4655}!

but if you have an `evil eye' [if you are stingy] your whole body will be full of darkness. If, then, the light in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

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 the darkness!

Matthew 6:23 (KJV)

This verse is part of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, found within a section (Matthew 6:19-24) contrasting earthly treasures with heavenly treasures and declaring that one cannot serve both God and "mammon" (wealth). It follows Jesus' statement in verse 22 that the "eye" is the "lamp of the body."

Meaning and Themes:

Jesus uses the physical concept of the eye as a metaphor for one's inner perspective, outlook, or spiritual state, particularly in relation to the world and possessions, given the surrounding context.

  • The "eye" here represents the way we view things, our focus, or our inner disposition.
  • If the eye is "evil" (πονηρὸς - poneros), which can mean diseased, unhealthy, or morally corrupt, especially in the sense of being stingy, envious, or covetous (contrasting with the "single" or healthy eye in v. 22), then the entire person ("thy whole body") is filled with darkness. This darkness signifies spiritual ignorance, moral corruption, or a life lived without God's truth and light.
  • The second sentence emphasizes the extreme danger: if the very "light" that is supposed to be within you – your conscience, understanding, or spiritual insight – is itself corrupted and becomes darkness, then that state of spiritual blindness, error, and depravity is profound and terrible ("how great is that darkness!").

Practical Application:

This verse warns us that our inner attitude and how we view the world, especially concerning wealth and possessions, has a profound impact on our spiritual condition. A covetous or "evil" outlook leads to spiritual darkness. It is crucial to ensure our inner "light" – our moral compass and spiritual understanding – is healthy and aligned with God's truth, lest our entire being is plunged into deep darkness.

Cross-reference:

See also the parallel teaching in Luke 11:34-36.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 1 John 2:11

    But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.

  • 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.

  • Isaiah 5:20

    Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

  • Isaiah 5:21

    Woe unto [them that are] wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!

  • Jeremiah 4:22

    For my people [is] foolish, they have not known me; they [are] sottish children, and they have none understanding: they [are] wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.

  • 1 Corinthians 3:18

    ¶ Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.

  • 1 Corinthians 3:19

    For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
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