“No one,
After lighting a lamp,
Hides it
Under a jar.
Or puts it
Under a bed.
But they put it
On a lampstand.
Thus,
Those who enter
May see the light.”
Οὐδεὶς δὲ λύχνον ἅψας καλύπτει αὐτὸν σκεύει ἢ ὑποκάτω κλίνης τίθησιν, ἀλλ’ ἐπὶ λυχνίας τίθησιν, ἵνα οἱ εἰσπορευόμενοι βλέπωσιν τὸ φῶς.
Luke indicated that Jesus said that no one (Οὐδεὶς), after lighting a lamp (δὲ λύχνον ἅψας), would hide it under a jar or a vessel (καλύπτει αὐτὸν σκεύει). No one puts a lamp under a bed (ἢ ὑποκάτω κλίνης τίθησιν). But they put it on a lampstand (ἀλλ’ ἐπὶ λυχνίας τίθησιν). Thus, those who enter the house (ἵνα οἱ εἰσπορευόμενοι) may see the light (βλέπωσιν τὸ φῶς). A similar saying of Jesus can be found in Matthew, chapter 5:15, and Mark, chapter 4:21, and later in Luke, chapter 11:33. Mark indicated that Jesus said to his disciples that a lamp should not be brought into a house to be put under a bushel basket or under a bed. Rather it is better to put it on a lampstand. Thus, the light from the lit candle lamp would shine on everyone and everything in the house. Matthew was more expansive compared to Luke. He indicated that Jesus said that after lighting a lamp, no one puts it under a bushel, but rather on a lampstand. Thus, the light from the lit candle lamp would shine on everyone in the house. Matthew, instead of leaving it generic, applied this to his disciples. Their light should shine before other men. Thus, others would see their good works, since it was not about faith alone. The ultimate result would be that others would glorify their heavenly father. Does your light shine bright?
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 