Luke 8:16

Showing the Light

8:16 “No one lights ¹  a lamp ²  and then covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a lampstand so that those who come in can see the light. ³ 

Luke 11:33

Internal Light

11:33 “No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a hidden place ⁴  or under a basket, ⁵  but on a lampstand, so that those who come in can see the light.

Luke 8:10

8:10 He ⁶  said, “You have been given ⁷  the opportunity to know ⁸  the secrets ⁹  of the kingdom of God, ¹⁰  but for others they are in parables, so that although they see they may not see, and although they hear they may not understand. ¹¹ 

¹ tn The participle ἅψας ({aya") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.

² sn This is probably an ancient oil burning lamp or perhaps a candlestick. Jesus is comparing revelation to light, particularly the revelation of his ministry; see 1:78-79.

³ tn Or “its light,” if the Greek article is translated as a possessive pronoun (for such usage, cf. ExSyn 215).

⁴ tn Or perhaps “in a cellar” (L&N 28.78). The point is that the light of Jesus’ teaching has been put in public view.

⁵ tc The phrase “or under a basket” is lacking in some important and early mss (Ì^45,75 L Γ Ξ 070 ˹ 700* 1241 2542 pc sy^s sa). It is hard to decide in this case, since the inclusion of “or under a basket” is widely attested by some early and decent witnesses, as well as the overwhelming majority of mss (א A B C D W Θ Ψ Ë¹³ Ï latt). The parallel passage in Luke 8:16 does not include “under a basket.” If the phrase “under a basket” were added as a harmonization with Mark 4:21 and Matt 5:15, it is perhaps surprising that scribes did not add the phrase at Luke 8:16 as well. It seems somewhat more likely that a scribe copying Luke would be inclined to harmonize 11:33 with 8:16 by omitting the phrase here. Thus, the words “or under a basket” seem to have the marks of authenticity.

⁷ tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

⁸ tn This is an example of a so-called “divine passive,” with God understood to be the source of the revelation (see ExSyn 437-38).

⁹ tn Grk “it has been given to you to know.” The dative pronoun occurs first, in emphatic position in the Greek text, although this position is awkward in contemporary English.

¹⁰ tn Grk “the mysteries.”

¹¹ sn The kingdom of God is a major theme of Jesus. It is a realm in which Jesus rules and to which those who trust him belong. See Luke 6:20; 11:20; 17:20-21.

¹² sn A quotation from Isa 6:9. Thus parables both conceal or reveal depending on whether one is open to hearing what they teach.