Luke 11:34
New International Version
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.

New Living Translation
“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.

English Standard Version
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.

Berean Standard Bible
Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are good, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are bad, your body is full of darkness.

Berean Literal Bible
Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is clear, your whole body is also light; but when it is evil, your body is also dark.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
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.

New American Standard Bible
Your eye is the lamp of your body; when your eye is clear, your whole body also is full of light; but when it is bad, your body also is full of darkness.

NASB 1995
“The eye is the lamp of your body; when your eye is clear, your whole body also is full of light; but when it is bad, your body also is full of darkness.

NASB 1977
“The lamp of your body is your eye; when your eye is clear, your whole body also is full of light; but when it is bad, your body also is full of darkness.

Legacy Standard Bible
The eye is the lamp of your body; when your eye is clear, your whole body also is full of light, but when it is bad, your body also is full of darkness.

Amplified Bible
The eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is clear [spiritually perceptive, focused on God], your whole body also is full of light [benefiting from God’s precepts]. But when it is bad [spiritually blind], your body also is full of darkness [devoid of God’s word].

Christian Standard Bible
Your eye is the lamp of the body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is also full of light. But when it is bad, your body is also full of darkness.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Your eye is the lamp of the body. When your eye is good, your whole body is also full of light. But when it is bad, your body is also full of darkness.

American Standard Version
The lamp of thy body is thine eye: when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when it is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.

Contemporary English Version
Your eyes are the lamp for your body. When your eyes are good, you have all the light you need. But when your eyes are bad, everything is dark.

English Revised Version
The lamp of thy body is thine eye: when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when it is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is unclouded, your whole body is full of light. But when your eye is evil, your body is full of darkness.

Good News Translation
Your eyes are like a lamp for the body. When your eyes are sound, your whole body is full of light; but when your eyes are no good, your whole body will be in darkness.

International Standard Version
Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light. But when it's evil, your body is full of darkness.

Majority Standard Bible
The eye is the lamp of the body. So when your eyes are good, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are bad, your body is full of darkness.

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

New Heart English Bible
The lamp of the body is the eye. Therefore when your eye is good, your whole body is also full of light; but when it is bad, your body also is full of darkness.

Webster's Bible Translation
The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thy eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thy eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.

Weymouth New Testament
The lamp of the body is the eye. When your eyesight is good, your whole body also is lighted up; but when it is defective, your body is darkened.

World English Bible
The lamp of the body is the eye. Therefore when your eye is good, your whole body is also full of light; but when it is evil, your body also is full of darkness.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
The lamp of the body is the eye, when then your eye may be simple, your whole body is also lightened; and when it may be evil, your body is also darkened;

Berean Literal Bible
Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is clear, your whole body is also light; but when it is evil, your body is also dark.

Young's Literal Translation
'The lamp of the body is the eye, when then thine eye may be simple, thy whole body also is lightened; and when it may be evil, thy body also is darkened;

Smith's Literal Translation
The light of the body is the eye; when therefore thine eye be plain, also thy whole body is clear: and when it be evil, also thy body dark.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The light of thy body is thy eye. If thy eye be single, thy whole body will be lightsome: but if it be evil, thy body also will be darksome.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Your eye is the light of your body. If your eye is wholesome, your entire body will be filled with light. But if it is wicked, then even your body will be darkened.

New American Bible
The lamp of the body is your eye. When your eye is sound, then your whole body is filled with light, but when it is bad, then your body is in darkness.

New Revised Standard Version
Your eye is the lamp of your body. If your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light; but if it is not healthy, your body is full of darkness.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The lamp of your body is your eye; when therefore your eye is clear, your whole body will also be lighted; but if it is diseased, your whole body will also be dark.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“The lamp of the body is your eye; when therefore your eye is clear your whole body shall be illuminated, but if it should be bad, your body also shall be darkened.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
The lamp of the body is the eye; when, therefore, your eye is sound, your whole body also is light; but if it be diseased, your body also is dark.

Godbey New Testament
The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye may be clear, truly thy whole body is lighted; but when it may be had, truly thy body is dark.

Haweis New Testament
The lamp of the body is the eye: when therefore thine eye is clear, thy whole body will be luminous, but if it be vitiated, thy whole body will be darkened.

Mace New Testament
the eye is the light of the body: if therefore your eye be clear, every member of your body will have the benefit of the light: but if it be spoil'd, they must all rest in darkness.

Weymouth New Testament
The lamp of the body is the eye. When your eyesight is good, your whole body also is lighted up; but when it is defective, your body is darkened.

Worrell New Testament
The lamp of your body is your eye. When your eye is sound, your whole body also is full of light; but, when it is evil, your body also is dark.

Worsley New Testament
The eye is the candle of the body: therefore when thine eye is clear, thy whole body also is light; but when it is bad, thy body also is dark.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Lamp of the Body
33No one lights a lamp and puts it in a cellar or under a basket. Instead, he sets it on a stand, so those who enter can see the light. 34Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are good, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are bad, your body is full of darkness. 35Be careful, then, that the light within you is not darkness.…

Cross References
Matthew 6:22-23
The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. / But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

Proverbs 4:18-19
The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday. / But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom; they do not know what makes them stumble.

Ephesians 5:8
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light,

John 8:12
Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”

2 Corinthians 4:6
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Isaiah 5:20
Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness to light and light to darkness, who replace bitter with sweet and sweet with bitter.

1 John 1:5-7
And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you: God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. / If we say we have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. / But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

John 12:35-36
Then Jesus told them, “For a little while longer, the Light will be among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. / While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of light.” After Jesus had spoken these things, He went away and was hidden from them.

2 Peter 1:19
We also have the word of the prophets as confirmed beyond doubt. And you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.

Isaiah 42:16
I will lead the blind by a way they did not know; I will guide them on unfamiliar paths. I will turn darkness into light before them and rough places into level ground. These things I will do for them, and I will not forsake them.

Romans 13:12
The night is nearly over; the day has drawn near. So let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

Proverbs 20:27
The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD, searching out his inmost being.

Acts 26:18
to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Me.’

Isaiah 60:1-2
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. / For behold, darkness covers the earth, and thick darkness is over the peoples; but the LORD will rise upon you, and His glory will appear over you.


Treasury of Scripture

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

light of.

Psalm 119:18
Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.

Matthew 6:22,23
The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light…

Mark 8:18
Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?

single.

Acts 2:46
And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

2 Corinthians 1:12
For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

2 Corinthians 11:3
But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

but.

Genesis 19:11
And they smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great: so that they wearied themselves to find the door.

2 Kings 6:15-20
And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? …

Psalm 81:12
So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: and they walked in their own counsels.

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Bad Body Clear Dark Darkened Darkness Defective Evil Eye Eyes Eyesight Full Good Lamp Lightened Single Sound True. Whole Wicked
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Bad Body Clear Dark Darkened Darkness Defective Evil Eye Eyes Eyesight Full Good Lamp Lightened Single Sound True. Whole Wicked
Luke 11
1. Jesus teaches us to pray, and that instantly;
11. assuring us that God will give all good things to those who ask him.
14. He, casting out a demon, rebukes the blasphemous Pharisees;
27. and shows who are blessed;
29. preaches to the people;
37. and reprimands the outward show of holiness.














Your eye
In the context of Luke 11:34, the "eye" is often understood metaphorically as the lamp or window of the soul. The Greek word used here is "ophthalmos," which can refer to the physical eye but also symbolizes perception and understanding. In ancient Jewish thought, the eye was seen as a conduit for light, both physical and spiritual. The condition of one's eye, therefore, reflects the state of one's inner being. A healthy eye indicates a heart open to God's truth and wisdom.

is the lamp
The metaphor of the eye as a "lamp" suggests illumination and guidance. The Greek word "luchnos" refers to a lamp or light source. In biblical times, lamps were essential for navigating the darkness, symbolizing how spiritual insight guides one's moral and ethical decisions. This imagery aligns with the broader biblical theme of light representing truth and righteousness, as seen in Psalm 119:105, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."

of your body
The "body" here, from the Greek "soma," represents the whole person, encompassing both physical and spiritual aspects. In a broader scriptural context, the body is often seen as a temple or vessel for the soul (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). The condition of the eye, therefore, affects the entire being, suggesting that spiritual insight or blindness impacts one's overall spiritual health and moral conduct.

When your eyes are good
The phrase "eyes are good" translates the Greek "haplous," which can mean single, clear, or healthy. A "good" eye implies purity of intention and clarity of vision, both physically and spiritually. In a historical context, a "single" eye was understood as one focused on God, undistracted by worldly desires or duplicity. This aligns with the call to serve God with an undivided heart (Matthew 6:22-23).

your whole body also is full of light
The imagery of being "full of light" suggests a life illuminated by divine truth and righteousness. The Greek word "photeinos" means full of light or bright. In biblical symbolism, light often represents God's presence, truth, and holiness. A person whose eye is good, therefore, lives in alignment with God's will, reflecting His light in their actions and character.

But when they are bad
The term "bad" translates the Greek "poneros," which can mean evil, wicked, or unhealthy. A "bad" eye suggests moral or spiritual corruption, leading to darkness within. Historically, a "bad" eye was associated with greed, envy, or malice, reflecting a heart turned away from God. This aligns with the biblical warning against allowing sin to cloud one's spiritual vision (Proverbs 28:22).

your body also is full of darkness
The concept of being "full of darkness" indicates a life devoid of spiritual insight and truth. The Greek word "skoteinos" means dark or full of darkness. In scripture, darkness often symbolizes ignorance, sin, and separation from God. A person with a bad eye lives in spiritual blindness, unable to perceive or reflect God's truth, leading to moral and spiritual decay.

(34) The light of the body is the eye.--See Note on Matthew 6:22. In some respects the sequence of thought in St. Luke differs from that in St. Matthew, and seems somewhat closer. In the Sermon on the Mount, the company of Christ's disciples are the light, and each of them is as the lamp on its proper stand, and the teaching as to the "light of the body," and the corresponding "'eye" of the soul, is separated from that illustration by our Lord's comment on the corrupt traditional interpretations of the scribes. Here the two thoughts are brought into close proximity. The moral sense, the "vision and the faculty divine" that has its intuitions of eternal truths, this is the light which is so set that those who "are entering in" (this feature, as in Luke 8:16, is peculiar to St. Luke)--the seekers and inquirers who are drawn to look in, as it were, upon the house of Christ's Church, the "unlearned" or "unbelievers" of 1Corinthians 14:23--may see the light and turn to it.

Verses 34, 35. - 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. Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness. He goes on, though, with his solemn warning words. Plainly visible though the sign would be - shining bright as a lighted lamp set on high - still it, too, was possible to miss seeing it. If the eye, the organ of the body which perceives the light, be sound and healthy, then the illumination given by the lamp is seen, and the whole body, so to speak, is full of light; but if the eye was diseased, purblind, no bright shining light would be seen - the body then would be full of darkness. The word rendered "single" denotes the eye in its natural healthy state; that translated "evil" speaks of the eye as diseased, as incapable of perceiving the rays of light. The imagery to those Orientals, accustomed to parable and allegory in the stories and poems they had listened to from their childhood, was easily translated into the language of everyday life. If they gave way to passion, jealousy, prejudice, impurity, lawlessness in its hundred forms, then for them the spiritual eye of the soul would become diseased, and therefore incapable of rightly discerning any heavenly sign. It was this danger that the Master was pointing out to the crowd. "Ah!" he seems to say, "you ask a heavenly sign which will substantiate my lofty claims; that sign, in a grander and more stately form than ever you have dreamed of, shall, indeed, be given you. Have no fear on that score; rather dread that blindness, the punishment of a hard and evil heart, will come upon you, and render you incapable of seeing the sign you ask for, and which I mean to give you." He was speaking still of his resurrection. Alas, for them! the blindness of which he warned them was the unhappy lot, we know, of very many of those listening then.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Your
σου (sou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

eye
ὀφθαλμός (ophthalmos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3788: The eye; fig: the mind's eye. From optanomai; the eye; by implication, vision; figuratively, envy.

is
ἐστιν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

the
(Ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

lamp
λύχνος (lychnos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3088: A lamp. From the base of leukos; a portable lamp or other illuminator.

of your
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

body.
σώματός (sōmatos)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 4983: Body, flesh; the body of the Church. From sozo; the body, used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively.

When
ὅταν (hotan)
Conjunction
Strong's 3752: When, whenever. From hote and an; whenever; also causatively inasmuch as.

your
σου (sou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

vision
ὀφθαλμός (ophthalmos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3788: The eye; fig: the mind's eye. From optanomai; the eye; by implication, vision; figuratively, envy.

is
(ē)
Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

clear,
ἁπλοῦς (haplous)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 573: Single, simple, sound, perfect. Probably from a and the base of pleko; properly, folded together, i.e. Single.

your
σου (sou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

whole
ὅλον (holon)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3650: All, the whole, entire, complete. A primary word; 'whole' or 'all', i.e. Complete, especially as noun or adverb.

body
σῶμά (sōma)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4983: Body, flesh; the body of the Church. From sozo; the body, used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively.

also
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

is
ἐστιν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

full of light.
φωτεινόν (phōteinon)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5460: Bright, luminous, full of light. From phos; lustrous, i.e. Transparent or well-illuminated.

But
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

when
ἐπὰν (epan)
Conjunction
Strong's 1875: After, when, as soon as. From epi and an; a particle of indefinite contemporaneousness; whenever, as soon as.

it is
(ē)
Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

poor,
πονηρὸς (ponēros)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4190: Evil, bad, wicked, malicious, slothful.

your
σου (sou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

body
σῶμά (sōma)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4983: Body, flesh; the body of the Church. From sozo; the body, used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively.

[is] full of darkness.
σκοτεινόν (skoteinon)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4652: Full of darkness, dark. From skotos; opaque, i.e. benighted.


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