Neither do people light a lamp
The phrase begins with a negation, emphasizing a common-sense truth. The Greek word for "lamp" (λύχνος, lychnos) refers to a small oil lamp used in ancient times. These lamps were essential for daily life, symbolizing guidance and revelation. In a spiritual sense, the lamp represents the light of Christ within believers, illuminating the path of righteousness and truth. Historically, lamps were a vital part of household life, signifying the presence of light in darkness, much like the presence of Christ in a believer's life.

and put it under a basket
The "basket" (μόδιος, modios) refers to a container used for measuring grain, symbolizing concealment. The act of placing a lamp under a basket is illogical and counterproductive, as it hides the light meant to illuminate. Spiritually, this suggests that believers should not hide their faith or the truth of the Gospel. The historical context of this imagery would resonate with Jesus' audience, who understood the necessity of light in their homes and the futility of hiding it.

Instead, they set it on a stand
The "stand" (λυχνία, lychnia) is a lampstand, elevating the lamp to maximize its light. This action signifies the intentional display of one's faith and good works. In the context of the early church, this would mean living out one's faith openly and boldly, serving as a witness to others. Theologically, it underscores the responsibility of Christians to be visible examples of Christ's love and truth in the world.

and it gives light to everyone in the house
The light from the lamp benefits "everyone in the house," symbolizing the far-reaching impact of a believer's witness. The Greek word for "house" (οἰκία, oikia) can also refer to a household or community, suggesting that the influence of a Christian's life extends beyond personal boundaries. Historically, homes were central to community life, and a well-lit home was a place of safety and hospitality. Spiritually, this reflects the call for Christians to be a source of hope and guidance to all around them, embodying the transformative power of the Gospel.

(15) Light a candle.--The word so rendered was probably a portable lamp rather than a candle in the common meaning of the word. The candles of the seven-branched candlestick of the Temple were undoubtedly lamps supplied with oil, and so probably were the "candles" of household use. The word is not the same, however, as that used for the "lamps" of the Wise and Foolish Virgins (Matthew 25:1), and was applied apparently to the cheaper vessels of the poor rather than to those of the wealthy. Wiclif translates it "lantern."

The image was drawn from objects familiar to all the hearers, and the presence of the article in the Greek, "under the bushel," "on the candlestick or lamp-stand," implies the familiarity. Each cottage had one such article of furniture. The "bushel" was a Latin measure, nearly the same as the English peck. It adds to the interest of the illustration to remember that as they were commonly of wood, such articles as these must often have been turned out from the carpenter's shop at Nazareth for the use of its neighbours. It should also be remembered that the self-same word had been applied a short time before by our Lord to the Baptist (John 5:35). His disciples were in this way to continue the Baptist's work.

Verse 15. - Neither do men light a candle, etc. The same illustration comes in Luke 8:16 (Mark 4:21), immediately after the parable of the sower, and again in Luke 11:33, immediately after the reference to the repentance of the men of Nineveh at the preaching of Jonah. All four passages have too much verbal similarity to admit of any of them being absolutely independent. Mark 4:21 has the greatest number of peculiarities. The two passages in Luke agree very closely with each other, but of the two, Luke 11:33 most resembles Matthew. The close agreement here with the context seems to point to this being an original position of the utterance. Of the other two contexts Luke 11:33, if we must choose, seems the more natural. Godet, however, says, "This passage has been placed in the sermon on the mount, like so many others, rather because of the association of ideas than from historical reminiscence" (similarly Weiss). Neither. The inherent position, so to speak, of Christ's disciples, as of a city set on a mountain, is not accidental. It answers to the purpose of their being disciples, as is explained further by the illustration of a lamp. A candle; Revised Version, a lamp (λύχνον); i.e. the flat, saucer-like Eastern lamp, in which sometimes the wick merely floats on the oil A bushel... a candlestick; Revised Version, the bushel... the stand (τὸν μόδιον... τὴν λυχνίαν). Probably rightly, for if the article had been generic (cf. Mishna, 'Sabb.,' 4:2, "One may fill a pitcher [literally, 'the pitcher,' את הקיתון]. and put it under, a [literally, 'the'] pillow, or under a [literally, the] bolster [on the sabbath in order to take the chill off it]," W.H. Lowe, 'Fragment of Pesachim,' 1879, p. 95; cf. also Driver on 1 Samuel 19:13) it would have been found also before λύχνον. "The description applies to the common houses of the people. In each there was one principal room, in which they ate and slept; the lampstand, with its single light, the flour-bin, and the bed, with a few seats, were all its furniture" (Cook, in 'Speaker's Commentary,' on Mark 4:21 ). A bushel (τὸν μόδιον). This is probably equivalent to the seah (so Peshito), which was "the ordinary measure for domestic purposes," and, as slated in the margins of the Authorized and the Revised Versions on Matthew 13:33, held "nearly a peck and a half" dry measure. The Latin modius, here used to render scab, itself held nearly a peck. In Luke 8:16 the vaguer term δκεῦος is used. "Bushel" is retained in the Revised Version probably because it can be used of the vessel apart from all thought of measure; cf. "The Sense represents the Sun no bigger than a Bushel" (Hale [1677], in Murray's 'Oxford Dictionary'). But on a candlestick; Revised Version, but on the stand (ἐπὶ τὴν λυχνίαν); Vulgate, from Old Latin, Neque accendunt lucernam et possunt cam sub modio sed super candelabrum. Candelabrum (cf. "chandelier") meant a stand for either candles or lamps; hence Wickliffe, translating from the Vulgate, could say, "Ne me[n] teen-dith not a lanterne & puttith it vndir a buyschel: but on a candilstik." We still use "candlestick" in the rarer sense when we speak of the seven-branched "candlestick" of the tabernacle, which was lighted by lamps, not candies (cf. Humphry, on Revised Version, in loc.). It giveth Light; Revised Version, it shineth (λάμπει). The Rheims alone of the older English versions renders" shine," thus showing that the same Greek word is used as in the next verse. The Vulgate (followed by Wickliffe and Rheims) renders it in the subjunctive, ut lucent, possibly originally a copyist's error from the luceat of ver. 16. If so, it was apparently made before the time of Tertullian ('De Prescript.,' § 26). The thought is stir primarily of the light itself being necessarily seen rather than of its benefiting others (φωτίζω, Luke 11:36; cf. John 1:9). To all. For in a room none can help noticing it, even though the lamp and the light itself be but small. The negative of this verse is given in Pseudo-Cyprian, 'De Aleat.,' 3, "Monet dominus et dicit: nolite contris tare Spiritum Sanctum, qui in vobis est, et nolite exstinguere lumen, quod in vobis efful sit" (vide Resch, 'Agrapha,' pp. 111, 215).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Neither
οὐδὲ (oude)
Conjunction
Strong's 3761: Neither, nor, not even, and not. From ou and de; not however, i.e. Neither, nor, not even.

do [people] light
καίουσιν (kaiousin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2545: To ignite, light, burn, lit. and met; I consume with fire. Apparently a primary verb; to set on fire, i.e. Kindle or consume.

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

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

put
τιθέασιν (titheasin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 5087: To put, place, lay, set, fix, establish. A prolonged form of a primary theo to place.

it
αὐτὸν (auton)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

under
ὑπὸ (hypo)
Preposition
Strong's 5259: A primary preposition; under, i.e. of place, or with verbs; of place (underneath) or where (below) or time (when).

a basket.
μόδιον (modion)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3426: A dry measure, nearly two English gallons. Of Latin origin; a modius, i.e. Certain measure for things dry.

Instead,
ἀλλ’ (all’)
Conjunction
Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.

[they set it] on
ἐπὶ (epi)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

a lampstand,
λυχνίαν (lychnian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3087: A lamp-stand. From luchnos; a lamp-stand.

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

it gives light
λάμπει (lampei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2989: To shine, give light. A primary verb; to beam, i.e. Radiate brilliancy.

to everyone
πᾶσιν (pasin)
Adjective - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

the
τῇ (tē)
Article - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

house.
οἰκίᾳ (oikia)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3614: From oikos; properly, residence, but usually an abode; by implication, a family.


Matthew 5:15 NIV
Matthew 5:15 NLT
Matthew 5:15 ESV
Matthew 5:15 NASB
Matthew 5:15 KJV

Matthew 5:15 BibleApps.com
Matthew 5:15 Biblia Paralela
Matthew 5:15 Chinese Bible
Matthew 5:15 French Bible
Matthew 5:15 Catholic Bible

NT Gospels: Matthew 5:15 Neither do you light a lamp (Matt. Mat Mt)