Luke 11 36

Luke 11:36 kjv

If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.

Luke 11:36 nkjv

If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, the whole body will be full of light, as when the bright shining of a lamp gives you light."

Luke 11:36 niv

Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be just as full of light as when a lamp shines its light on you."

Luke 11:36 esv

If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright, as when a lamp with its rays gives you light."

Luke 11:36 nlt

If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant, as though a floodlight were filling you with light."

Luke 11 verses

Luke 11 36 Meaning

Luke 11:36 declares that if one's entire being is filled with divine light, having no part remaining in darkness, then the whole person will truly be illuminated, radiating God's truth and goodness, just as a lamp brightly gives light. It speaks of a profound inner spiritual clarity and integrity, where one's understanding, motives, and actions are wholly aligned with divine truth.

Luke 11 36 Context

Luke 11:36 concludes Jesus' teaching on "The Lamp of the Body" (Lk 11:33-36), immediately following the warning about a dark "eye" (Lk 11:34-35). This discourse on inner light is nestled within Jesus' criticisms of the religious establishment, particularly the Pharisees, who were preoccupied with outward observances (e.g., proper washing, Lk 11:38-41) but lacked internal righteousness.

Historically and culturally, light was universally understood as symbolizing knowledge, truth, purity, and life, while darkness represented ignorance, deception, evil, and death. Jesus uses this common metaphor to challenge the superficial religiosity prevalent among some leaders. The polemic is direct: true spiritual health is not found in external show, but in the internal state of one's being – specifically, the purity of one's spiritual discernment or "eye." If that "eye" (representing one's intent, moral outlook, or spiritual perception) is clear and unclouded, the entire person is illuminated. If it is "evil" or corrupt, the whole being remains in profound darkness despite outward religious pretense.

Luke 11 36 Word analysis

• If therefore: Greek: Ei oun (Εἰ οὖν). Connects to the preceding verses (11:34-35), where Jesus establishes the "eye" as the body's lamp. This verse presents the logical conclusion or consequence of the eye being "good" or "simple."
• thy whole body: Greek: to sōma sou holon (τὸ σῶμά σου ὅλον). "Soma" refers to the physical body but often used metaphorically for the entire person or being in Greek thought. "Holon" emphasizes completeness, with no exceptions or reservations. This isn't merely a physical state, but an entire individual being pervaded by something.
• be full of light: Greek: phōteinon (φωτεινόν). From phōs (light). Signifies "light-filled," "luminous," "bright," "radiant." It implies a state where light is abundant and permeating, rather than just externally present.
• having no part dark: Greek: mē echon ti meros skoteinon (μὴ ἔχον τι μέρος σκοτεινόν). "Skoteinon" from skotos (darkness). This is a strong negative, stressing the absence of any remaining obscurity, evil, or hidden motives. Every facet of the person—thoughts, desires, actions—is exposed to and filled with light.
• the whole shall be full of light: This phrase repeats the initial condition as a triumphant outcome, emphasizing the thoroughness of the spiritual illumination. The ideal state described at the beginning is affirmed as the result. It reiterates that complete transformation is the goal.
• as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light: Greek: hōs ho lampēros ho photizōn se (ὡς ὁ λαμπτὴρος ὁ φωτίζων σε).
  • bright shining of a candle/lamp: Greek: lampēros (λαμπτὴρος). Refers to a lamp or a light-bearing object. It’s a source of light, here illustrating the evident and radiating nature of the internal illumination.
  • doth give thee light: Greek: photizōn se (φωτίζων σε). Emphasizes active illumination. Just as a physical lamp genuinely dispels darkness and allows vision, so too does internal spiritual light truly manifest and guide one's entire life. This part highlights the effective, visible manifestation of the inner light.

Words-group analysis:

• "If therefore thy whole body be full of light, having no part dark": This entire clause defines a state of spiritual integrity and moral purity. It’s not just about a "part" being illuminated, but the complete person being pervaded by divine light, leaving no corner for hidden sin, hypocrisy, or darkened understanding. It implies a single-minded devotion and moral clarity stemming from the purified "eye" (from Lk 11:34).
• "the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light": This final segment provides both the affirmative outcome and a vivid analogy. The perfect spiritual state (a completely enlightened body) will truly shine, with a clear, active illumination that impacts one's perception and conduct, much like the undeniable brightness of a well-lit lamp. It implies that true internal light has observable effects, both for oneself and others.

Luke 11 36 Bonus section

The context of this verse within Luke's Gospel suggests a strong spiritual warfare implication. The light of Christ, when fully embraced within an individual, inherently dispels the influence of the "darkness" of the world and evil spirits, much like Jesus' exorcisms throughout this chapter. This inner illumination grants clarity to discern spiritual truth from falsehood, directly counteracting the deceptive works of the enemy (Eph 6:12). The "lamp" analogy can also refer to the Spirit-filled believer themselves, whose life becomes a vessel through which God's light radiates into a darkened world (Phil 2:15). Thus, Luke 11:36 describes not just personal spiritual well-being but also the active participation of a fully illumined individual in God's mission of dispelling spiritual darkness.

Luke 11 36 Commentary

Luke 11:36 encapsulates the profound impact of spiritual clarity on the entirety of a person's being. Following Jesus' metaphor of the "eye" as the body's lamp, this verse concludes that if one's inner vision (representing one's intentions, discernment, and moral compass) is truly pure and "single" in its focus on God's will, then the entire person—mind, heart, and actions—will be thoroughly permeated by divine light. There will be no area of darkness, no hypocrisy, no hidden sin or compromised motive. This light is not merely theoretical; it's active and pervasive, shining forth in one's life as tangibly as a lamp dispels physical darkness. This verse challenges believers to seek a complete transformation, where every part of their being is aligned with God's truth, leading to an undeniable and illuminating witness to His glory. It stresses that partial light, with remaining dark parts, is insufficient; true spiritual health requires comprehensive internal illumination.

Examples for practical usage:

• A leader whose motives are completely transparent and solely for God's glory will lead with clarity and integrity (no "dark parts").
• A disciple whose actions perfectly align with their words because their heart is purely devoted to Christ demonstrates this full light.