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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - Luke 8:16 - 8:16
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When he hath lighted a lamp (luchnon hapsas). It is a portable lamp (luchnon) that one lights (hapsas aorist active participle of haptō, to kindle, fasten to, light).
With a vessel (skeuei, instrumental case of skeuos). Here Mar 4:21 has the more definite figure “under the bushel” as has Mat 5:15.
Under the bed (hupokatō klinēs). Here Mar 4:21 has the regular hupo tēn klinēn instead of the late compound hupokatō. Ragg notes that Matthew distributes the sayings of Jesus given here by Luk 8:16-18; Mar 4:21-25 concerning the parable of the lamp and gives them in three separate places (Mat 5:15; Mat 10:26; Mat 13:12). That is true, but it does not follow that Mark and Luke have bunched together separate sayings or that Matthew has scattered sayings delivered only on one occasion. One of the slowest lessons for some critics to learn is that Jesus repeated favourite sayings on different occasions and in different groupings just as every popular preacher and teacher does today. See note on Mar 4:21 for further discussion of the lamp and stand.
May see the light (Blepōsin to phōs). In Mat 5:16 Jesus has it “may see your good works.” The purpose of light is to let one see something else, not the light. Note present subjunctive (blepōsin), linear action “Jesus had kindled a light within them. They must not hide it, but must see that it spreads to others” (Plummer). The parable of the lamp throws light on the parable of the sower.