Luke 11 33

Luke 11:33 kjv

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.

Luke 11:33 nkjv

"No one, when he has lit a lamp, puts it in a secret place or under a basket, but on a lampstand, that those who come in may see the light.

Luke 11:33 niv

"No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light.

Luke 11:33 esv

"No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar or under a basket, but on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light.

Luke 11:33 nlt

"No one lights a lamp and then hides it or puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where its light can be seen by all who enter the house.

Luke 11 verses

Luke 11 33 Meaning

This verse presents a parable, emphasizing that anything illuminated or revealed by God is meant for public display and utility, not for concealment. It illustrates that spiritual light—Christ's truth, the gospel, or the disciple's witness—is not given to be hidden but to shine forth, guiding and illuminating all who encounter it. The purpose of light is to reveal, and God's revelations, including Himself and His message through His Son and His followers, are intended to be fully perceived and understood by all people.

Luke 11 33 Context

Luke 11 opens with Jesus teaching His disciples to pray ("the Lord's Prayer") and emphasizing persistent prayer. This is followed by a narrative where Jesus casts out a demon, leading to accusations from some that He performs miracles by the power of Beelzebul (the prince of demons). Jesus refutes this, demonstrating the inconsistency of their logic and affirming that His power comes from God, signaling the arrival of the Kingdom of God. He then speaks about being "with Him" or "against Him" and warns against empty spiritual sweeping, emphasizing the need for continued inhabitation by the Holy Spirit.

Immediately preceding Luke 11:33, Jesus contrasts His generation's demand for a sign with the sign of Jonah, indicating that His own coming and preaching are the ultimate sign. He points out that the Queen of the South and the people of Nineveh will condemn that generation because they responded to less significant revelation. Within this discourse on seeing and signs, verse 33 begins a transition to the concept of spiritual perception and receptivity. The "lamp" symbolizes the truth Jesus brings, which includes His very presence and teaching. It prepares the ground for His subsequent remarks on the "eye" as the "lamp of the body" (Lk 11:34), emphasizing that the way one perceives and receives spiritual light determines one's inner spiritual state. This passage collectively functions as a critique of spiritual blindness and a call to openness to God's revelation.

Luke 11 33 Word analysis

• No one: Greek: Oudeis (οὐδείς). An emphatic negation, meaning "not a single one" or "nobody at all." It underscores the complete illogicality and futility of the action described.
• after lighting: Greek: hapsas (ἅψας), from hapto. Means "to kindle," "to light up." Implies an intentional act of igniting something that inherently produces light. This light (truth, revelation) originates from a divine source and is purposefully activated.
• a lamp: Greek: lychnon (λύχνον). Refers to an oil lamp, the primary source of artificial light in ancient homes. Symbolically, a lamp represents knowledge, guidance, truth, God's Word, Christ Himself as the light of the world, and by extension, believers who reflect that light. Its essence is to give light.
• puts it: Implies intentional placement.
• in a cellar: Greek: eis kryptēn (εἰς κρύπτην). "Into a hidden or secret place," "a vault," "a crypt." A place meant for concealment or storage, not for illumination. Hiding a lamp here renders it useless for its purpose.
• or: Greek: oude (οὐδέ). "Nor," emphasizes an additional inappropriate hiding place.
• under a basket: Greek: hypo ton modion (ὑπὸ τὸν μόδιον). Modios was a dry measure, typically a bushel (around 8-9 litres), a common household container. To put a lamp under it completely obscures its light. This vivid image signifies deliberately suppressing or smothering the light/truth.
• but: Greek: all’ (ἀλλ’). A strong adversative conjunction, highlighting the sharp contrast with the previous actions.
• on a stand: Greek: epi tēn lychnian (ἐπὶ τὴν λυχνίαν). Lychnia is specifically a lampstand, an elevated support designed to hold a lamp and maximize its light dispersion, allowing it to illuminate the largest possible area. This is its proper and purposeful place.
• so that: Greek: hina (ἵνα). A purposive conjunction, indicating the intended outcome and inherent goal of placing the lamp on its stand. It expresses divine intent for revelation.
• those who enter: Greek: hoi eisporeuomenoi (οἱ εἰσπορευόμενοι). "Those who are coming in." Refers to anyone who enters the dwelling or comes into the presence of the light. The light is intended for general public benefit and visibility.
• may see the light: Greek: blepōsin (βλέπωσιν), from blepō. Means "to see," but often implies more than physical sight; it suggests understanding, perceiving, and recognizing spiritual truth. The purpose is not just illumination, but clear perception and comprehension.

Words-group analysis

• No one after lighting a lamp: Highlights the logical absurdity of igniting a source of illumination only to prevent it from fulfilling its fundamental purpose. This emphasizes divine wisdom in bestowing spiritual light.
• puts it in a cellar or under a basket: Describes methods of concealment that deliberately render the lamp useless. This signifies hoarding spiritual knowledge, hiding divine truth, or failing to live out one's faith publicly, thereby stifling its influence. Both "cellar" (a hidden place) and "basket" (a common domestic object for covering) powerfully illustrate the varied ways light can be obscured.
• but on a stand: Represents the proper, designated place for the lamp, where its purpose is realized. Symbolically, it means openly displaying God's truth or living one's life as a testimony, allowing the light to extend its full reach.
• so that those who enter may see the light: Expresses the ultimate purpose and divine intention behind revealing spiritual truth. The light is meant to be universally accessible, benefiting and guiding all who are receptive. This encompasses both the open proclamation of the gospel and the visible life of transformed believers.

Luke 11 33 Bonus section

The immediate literary context of Luke 11:33 provides further layers of understanding. It directly follows Jesus’ condemnation of the current generation for seeking a physical sign, stating that no sign would be given but the sign of Jonah. This implies that Jesus' very presence, His words, and His works were the 'light' that was already given. His parables of light, like this one, reinforce the idea that true understanding is about perceiving and responding to the spiritual realities already revealed through Him, not waiting for more external proof. The emphasis is on spiritual sight rather than physical sight, setting the stage for the following verses (Lk 11:34-36) where Jesus speaks of the "eye" as the "lamp of the body," connecting external light (revelation) with internal light (spiritual understanding and moral integrity). This suggests that just as an external lamp is meant to shine, the internal spiritual "lamp" (the heart/mind's capacity to perceive truth) must be open and "healthy" to receive and reflect that light, preventing inner darkness. The polemic is against spiritual blindness, hypocrisy, and self-serving concealment of truth.

Luke 11 33 Commentary

Luke 11:33, a succinct but profound teaching by Jesus, acts as a clear pronouncement about the inherent purpose of spiritual revelation. A lamp is lit not to be obscured by hiding it away, whether in a hidden compartment or under a common household item, but to be set upon a prominent stand where it can effectively fulfill its role of illuminating the space for all who enter. This simple domestic illustration carries deep spiritual weight. The "lamp" can symbolize Christ Himself, the living Word and Light of the world, whose advent and teachings are meant to be openly proclaimed and understood, not kept in esoteric circles. It also signifies the Gospel message, a divine revelation intended to bring light and clarity to all people caught in spiritual darkness. Furthermore, it speaks to the role of believers as "lights in the world," called to shine forth with good works and faithful testimony, reflecting Christ's light so that others might see God and be drawn to Him. The verse therefore is a command against spiritual introversion or the hoarding of truth, and a call to active, visible discipleship and proclamation, ensuring that God's transformative light benefits the broadest possible audience.