A Lamp Under a Jar

16 (A)(B)“No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. 17 (C)For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light. 18 (D)Take care then how you hear, (E)for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.”

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Showing the Light

16 “No one lights[a] a lamp[b] 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.[c] 17 For nothing is hidden[d] that will not be revealed,[e] and nothing concealed that will not be made known and brought to light. 18 So listen carefully,[f] for whoever has will be given more, but[g] whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has[h] will be taken from him.”

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 8:16 tn The participle ἅψας (hapsas) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
  2. Luke 8:16 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. Luke 8:16 tn Or “its light,” if the Greek article is translated as a possessive pronoun (for such usage, cf. ExSyn 215).
  4. Luke 8:17 sn Nothing is hidden. Light also exposes, and Jesus was suggesting that his teaching likewise revealed where people are and where they will be. Truth will be manifest in the future, just as it was declared by him then. Nothing will be concealed.
  5. Luke 8:17 tn Or “disclosed.”
  6. Luke 8:18 tn Or “Therefore pay close attention”; Grk “Take heed therefore how you hear.”
  7. Luke 8:18 tn Grk “and.” Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.
  8. Luke 8:18 sn The phrase what he thinks he has is important, because it is not what a person thinks he has that is important but whether he actually has something or not. Jesus describes the person who does not heed his word as having nothing. The person who has nothing loses even that which he thought was something but was not. In other words, he has absolutely nothing at all. Jesus’ teaching must be taken seriously.

16 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.

17 For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.

18 Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.

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