Topical Bible: Hide Your Light Under a Bushel

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Topical Encyclopedia

The phrase "hide your light under a bushel" originates from the teachings of Jesus Christ, specifically found in the New Testament. This metaphorical expression is derived from the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus instructs His followers on the nature of discipleship and the importance of living out one's faith openly and boldly.

Biblical Context

The primary reference to this phrase is found in the Gospel of Matthew. In Matthew 5:14-16 , Jesus says:

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they set it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

The "bushel" or "basket" mentioned in this passage refers to a container used for measuring grain. In the context of Jesus' teaching, it symbolizes anything that might obscure or conceal the light of a believer's faith and testimony.

Theological Significance

The metaphor of light is a recurring theme in Scripture, often representing truth, righteousness, and the presence of God. In this passage, Jesus emphasizes the responsibility of His followers to be visible and active in their faith. The light represents the transformative power of the Gospel and the good works that flow from a life committed to Christ.

By instructing His disciples not to hide their light, Jesus underscores the importance of public witness and the impact of a life lived in accordance with God's will. The imagery of a city on a hill further illustrates the idea that the Christian community is to be a beacon of hope and guidance in a world often shrouded in darkness.

Practical Application

For believers, the call to let their light shine is both an encouragement and a challenge. It involves living authentically and consistently in a way that reflects the character of Christ. This includes acts of kindness, integrity, and love that point others to God. The passage encourages Christians to engage with the world around them, using their unique gifts and opportunities to influence others positively.

The admonition against hiding one's light serves as a warning against fear, complacency, or compromise. It calls believers to examine their lives for anything that might hinder their witness, such as sin, fear of persecution, or a desire for worldly acceptance.

Historical and Cultural Insights

In the historical context of Jesus' time, light was a precious commodity, essential for daily life and safety. The act of lighting a lamp and placing it on a stand was a practical necessity, ensuring that the entire household could benefit from its illumination. This cultural understanding reinforces the absurdity of hiding a light under a bushel, as it would defeat its very purpose.

The metaphor also resonates with the early Christian community, which faced persecution and societal pressure to conform. The call to shine brightly would have been a source of encouragement and a reminder of their mission to spread the Gospel despite opposition.

Conclusion

The teaching of not hiding one's light under a bushel remains a powerful and relevant message for Christians today. It calls for a bold and visible faith that actively engages with the world, reflecting the love and truth of Christ in every aspect of life.

Topical Bible Verses

Matthew 5:14-16
You are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
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Matthew 5:14
You are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
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Matthew 5:16
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
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Mark 16:15
And he said to them, Go you into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
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James 2:18
Yes, a man may say, You have faith, and I have works: show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
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Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
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1 Corinthians 1:1-31
Paul called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,
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John 17:1-26
These words spoke Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify your Son, that your Son also may glorify you:
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Library

The Salt and the Light of the World.
... Yes, if we but hide our darkness, and do not strive to slay it ... true light they have,
if indeed they have any, each under the bushel ... Let your light shine,' says ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/hope of the gospel/the salt and the light.htm

Upon Our Lord's SermonOn the Mount
... be your care to place it "on a candlestick, that it may give light to all ... Let your
love be without dissimulation: Why should you hide fair, disinterested ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 24 upon our lords.htm

Lamps and Bushels
... He says: If I had meant to hide My teaching ... others, and you stultify His purpose
in your salvation unless ... ministers of His grace and manifesters of His light. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/lamps and bushels.htm

The First Great Group of Parables.
... a sin.] 16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see; and your ears, for ... Jesus did
not come to put his light under a bushel; that is, to hide his teaching. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/liv the first great group 2.htm

To his Father, when He had Entrusted to Him the Care of the Church ...
... though I did not at the time, ask for your aid ... For how long shall we hide [3046]
the lamp under the bushel ... to be now put upon the lampstand and give light to all ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xii to his father.htm

The Story of the Stranger at the Well
... as I am in the world, I am the light of the ... weep for me, but weep for yourselves
and for your children ... them, and the hills might cover them, and hide them from ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of the stranger.htm

The Gradual Healing of the Blind Man
... His miraculous working; here He absolutely tries to hide it. ... to His mission if He
hid His light under a bushel ... hearted Christian men and women, in all your work ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/the gradual healing of the.htm

Augustin a Priest
... with a calm and grave joy which he can scarce hide, those of ... of a number of people
that this light should not ... The priesthood is not good enough for your merits ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/iv augustin a priest.htm

Arian Statements.
... that it may be supposed to give light, and lest ... of Arius, then condemn them as
hypocrites, who hide the poison ... especially since they have heard of your firmness ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/2 arian statements.htm

Christ is Glorious --Let us Make Him Known
... was threshing wheat in the winepress, to hide it from ... signal, break tine pitcher
and let the light shine, and ... the bushel which has been hiding your candle, and ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/christ is gloriouslet us make.htm