Luke 11 34

Luke 11:34 kjv

The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.

Luke 11:34 nkjv

The lamp of the body is the eye. Therefore, when your eye is good, your whole body also is full of light. But when your eye is bad, your body also is full of darkness.

Luke 11:34 niv

Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are healthy, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are unhealthy, your body also is full of darkness.

Luke 11:34 esv

Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness.

Luke 11:34 nlt

"Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. But when it is unhealthy, your body is filled with darkness.

Luke 11 verses

Luke 11 34 Meaning

Luke 11:34 metaphorically asserts that the "eye" serves as the "lamp" of a person's "body." This "eye" represents one's inner moral disposition, spiritual discernment, or singular intention. When this inner "eye" is "healthy" (sound, sincere, focused), the entire person is filled with spiritual light, leading to clear understanding and righteous actions. Conversely, if this inner "eye" is "unhealthy" (corrupt, evil, divided in purpose), the entire person is plunged into spiritual darkness, resulting in moral confusion and unrighteous deeds. The verse emphasizes that true spiritual state originates from within.

Luke 11 34 Context

Luke 11:34 is situated within a series of teachings by Jesus that emphasize the nature of true discipleship and the importance of spiritual perception, in contrast to hypocrisy and external religious show. The verse immediately follows the parable of the lamp on a stand (Luke 11:33), which cautions against hiding one's light or understanding. By linking the "eye" as the "lamp of the body," Jesus transitions from external light sources to an internal spiritual one. This verse then sets the stage for further rebukes against the Pharisees (Luke 11:37-54), whose external adherence to the law contrasted sharply with their internal corruption and spiritual blindness. Historically, light was crucial for daily life and spiritual understanding in the ancient world. The metaphor of the eye as a lamp resonated with people accustomed to literal lamps illuminating homes and with wisdom traditions that spoke of inner light and understanding.

Luke 11 34 Word analysis

• The eye (ὁ ὀφθαλμός - ho ophthalmos): Metaphorical, representing not just the physical organ of sight, but primarily one's inner perception, moral intention, spiritual focus, and overall disposition. It is the spiritual window through which light (truth, goodness) enters or is obscured for the entire person.
• is the lamp (ἐστιν ὁ λύχνος - estin ho lychnos): Identifies the "eye" as the internal means of illumination for the entire "body." Just as a physical lamp provides light in a room, the inner "eye" provides clarity and moral guidance for one's life.
• of your body (τοῦ σώματός σου - tou sōmatos sou): "Body" refers to the entire being, the whole person, encompassing one's thoughts, attitudes, character, and actions. The spiritual state of the "eye" dictates the spiritual state of the whole self.
• When (ὅταν - hotan): Indicates a conditional or temporal relationship.
• your eye (ὁ ὀφθαλμός σου - ho ophthalmos sou): Repetition of the "eye" emphasizing its personal ownership and responsibility.
• is healthy / sound (ἁπλοῦς ᾖ - haplous ē): haplous is a critical Greek term. It literally means "single," "simple," "sound," "whole." In this ethical and spiritual context, it signifies an eye that is clear, sincere, undivided in its intention, focused on God and goodness, free from duplicity, malice, or covetousness. It implies generosity and purity of motive.
• your whole body (ὅλον τὸ σῶμά σου - holon to sōma sou): Again, the entire person.
• is full of light (φωτεινὸν ἔσται - phōteinon estai): Meaning radiant, illuminated, full of light. This describes a state of spiritual clarity, truth, goodness, and moral rectitude that manifests in one's life and actions.
• but when (ἐὰν δὲ - ean de): Introduces the contrasting condition.
• it is unhealthy / evil (πονηρὸς ᾖ - ponēros ē): poneros means "evil," "bad," "diseased," "malicious," "wicked," or "grudging." Here, it signifies an eye that is corrupted by evil intent, greed, envy, or spiritual duplicity. It’s an eye that sees through a darkened or malicious lens.
• your body (τὸ σῶμά σου - to sōma sou): The entire self again.
• is full of darkness (σκοτεινόν - skoteinon): Meaning darkened, obscure, full of darkness. This describes a state of spiritual blindness, error, moral confusion, and unrighteous actions stemming from an inner corruption.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "The eye is the lamp of your body": Establishes a profound metaphor. The "eye" is not merely a receptor of external light, but the internal means by which the entire person (the "body") gains its spiritual illumination and direction. It underscores the primacy of inner disposition.
• "When your eye is healthy / sound, your whole body is full of light": This clause sets forth the positive consequence. A sincere, single-minded, generous, and morally sound inner focus (the "healthy eye") leads to an existence filled with clarity, understanding, goodness, and righteous conduct ("full of light"). It emphasizes spiritual integrity as the source of a virtuous life.
• "but when it is unhealthy / evil, your body is full of darkness": This presents the grave counter-consequence. An inner focus marred by evil, malice, greed, or duplicity (the "evil eye") results in spiritual blindness, confusion, wickedness, and morally corrupt actions ("full of darkness"). This highlights how an impure internal state inevitably corrupts the entire person's life and choices.

Luke 11 34 Bonus section

• Holistic Vision: The teaching implies a holistic view of the human being where the inner (the "eye") determines the outer (the "body"). It’s not just about what one sees, but how one sees, reflecting one's inner orientation and heart condition.
• Polemic against externalism: This verse subtly challenges the Jewish legalism and hypocrisy of the day, which often emphasized outward observance without inward transformation. Jesus consistently redirected focus to the heart, motives, and inner purity, as opposed to mere external conformity.
• "Haplous" in Matthew's Context: In Matthew's parallel (Matt 6:22-23), this verse directly follows teaching about treasures on earth vs. treasures in heaven (Matt 6:19-21) and precedes the warning against serving two masters (Matt 6:24). This strongly links "haplous" (single/healthy) to being financially undivided or generous, seeing one's possessions as means to heavenly treasure rather than earthly accumulation. This interpretation of "haplous" as generosity or singleness of purpose toward God, unhindered by greed, deepens the meaning beyond simple 'clarity' or 'soundness.' An "evil eye" (poneros) in this light could signify grudging, covetous, or malicious intent, common vices in ancient cultures.
• Not Physical Blindness: This passage is distinctly spiritual; it does not refer to literal physical sight. Jesus often used physical ailments to describe spiritual conditions, and here, spiritual vision is paramount.

Luke 11 34 Commentary

Luke 11:34 conveys Jesus' teaching on the profound connection between one's inner spiritual state and one's outer life. The "eye" functions as a spiritual metaphor for the inner focus, intention, or moral lens through which a person perceives the world and acts. A "healthy" eye, characterized by sincerity, clear moral purpose, or generosity (as in Matthew's context with "no treasury for oneself on earth"), allows spiritual truth and goodness (light) to pervade the entire being. Conversely, an "unhealthy" eye, marked by evil intent, malice, greed, or a divided loyalty, distorts perception, plunges the person into spiritual darkness, and results in corrupt behavior. The verse warns against hypocrisy, emphasizing that external religious practice means little without inner purity. It is a call to guard one's spiritual disposition, recognizing that where one's gaze and desires are directed ultimately determines the nature of one's entire life—either illuminated by God's truth or shrouded in self-deception and sin.