A crowd gathers.
Luke 11:33 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.
Luke 11:33 No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light.
No one lighting a lamp puts it in a crypt nor under the measuring jar, instead, upon the lampstand in order that those entering into the light may see.
Jesus wanted people to become enlightened.
The word translated a "candle" primarily means "lamp", specifically, a portable one. The main form of portable lights in this era were oil lamps made from clay.
The Greek word for "secret place" and "a place where it will be hidden" means a "crypt" or "vault". This is the only time this word is used in the Gospels. However, given the context of "light", the implication is a dark vault
The Greek dry measure translated as "bushel," and "bowl" is a measure that is less than a 1/4 the size of our bushel at only 7.8 dry quarts. "Basket," doesn't work a well as "bowl" but neither is accurate. At least pottery.could keep pest out and block the light. The most complete idea is a "measuring jar".
The Greek word translated as "light" means "light" and "illumination, but Jesus also uses it as a metaphor for knowledge. In Greek, it is also a metaphor for "deliverance", "happiness", "victory," and "glory." Here, it is in a form which can make it either what people "enter into" or what people "see".
- IW - Inserted Word-- The "when" doesn't exist in the source.
- WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "has" indicates the past perfect tense, but the tense is something that happens at a specific point in time (past, present, or future).
- WF -- Wrong Form - This "lighted" is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, ending with "-ing."
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the word usually translated as "secret" or "place."
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "a" should be something more like "the."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "but" is not the common word usually translated as "but" and works differently.
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "a" should be something more like "the."
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "they."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The "which" doesn't exist in the source.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not a similar word that uses the Greek word translated as "come" as its root.
- WF -- Wrong Form - This "lights" is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, ending with "-ing."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The "and" doesn't exist in the source.
- IP - Inserted Phrase-- The "in a place where it will be " doesn't exist in the source.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the word usually translated as "hidden."
- WF -- This is not a verb but an noun.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "or."
- IP - Inserted Phrase-- The "they put it " doesn't exist in the source.
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "its" should be something more like "the."
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "a" should be something more like "the."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The "who" doesn't exist in the source.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not a similar word that uses the Greek word translated as "come" as its root.
No man, -- The Greek adjective translated as "no man" also means "no one," "nothing," and other negative pronouns. It is used by Jesus more like a negative pronoun than an adjective. However, to avoid the English double-negative, we translate it as its opposite "anyone" when used with another Greek negative.
when -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source
he -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
hath -- (WT) This helping verb "has" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past. This is not the tense of the verb here.
lighted - (WF) The Greek verb translated as "lighted" means primarily "to join" or "touch" "to kindle," and "set on fire." It is unrelated to the word "light." Jesus uses it three times, all in Luke, to mean "to light." This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, ending with "-ing."
a -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a noun doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.
candle, - The word translated as "candle" primarily means "lamp", specifically, a portable one. The main form of portable lights in this era were oil lamps made from clay.
putteth -- The Greek verb translated as "put" is translated from a Greek word that means primarily "to put," "to dedicate," "to assign," "to award," and "to place," and in the military, "to bear arms," "to lay down and surrender," but which has many related meanings as well.
it -- There is no Greek pronoun here, but Greek does not need pronouns when the object can be assumed from the context. In English, they are added for the subject-verb-object form of our sentences.
in -- The word translated as "to" means "into" a place, "towards" as a direction, "in" (a position), "as much as (of measure or limit)," "in regards to" a subject, "up to" limits in measures, "until" in reference to time, "within" a time limit, and "for" a purpose or object. Used with the Greek "from" it means "from...to."
a -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a noun doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.
secret place, . - - (CW) The Greek word for "secret place" means a "crypt" or "vault". This is the only time this word is used in the Gospels. It is the source of our English word, "crypt." This is not the word usually translated as "secret" or "place."
neither -- The Greek word for "neither" is an adverb that means "not at all" or "not even" and, literally, "not, however." As a conjunction, it works as both parts of the "neither/nor" constructions.
under -- The word translated as "of" primarily means "by," "under," or "with." Its primary meaning is "under" both in the sense of moving under, being under, and being under different forms of compulsion.
a --- (WW) The word translated as "a" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. This word doesn't mean "a."
bushel, . -- The Greek dry measure translated as "bushel" was actually less than a 1/4 the size of our bushel which is 8 dry gallons at only 7.8 dry quarts. "Basket," as in a "bushel basket," is used in more translations, but it also doesn't work to block the light. The most likely measuring vessel in this era would have been a pottery jar.
but-- (CW) The Greek word translated as "but" denotes an exception or simple opposition. It is used to emphasize the contrast between things like we use "instead," "but instead,"or "rather." It is not the common word usually translated as "but." It is the Greek word "other" like we use "otherwise." Jesus almost always uses this conjunction to connect a negative clause, "not this," with a positive one, "instead this."
on -- The word translated as "on" means "on," "over," "upon," "for," "against," "before," "after," "during," "by" "in the case of."
a --- (WW) The word translated as "a" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. This word doesn't mean "a."
candlestick, -- The word translated as "candlestick" means "lampstand."
that -- The word translated as "that" is a conjunction that starts a subordinate clause "that," "when," "in order that" "when," or "because."As an adverb it is translated as "there" is an adverb "in that place," "there," "where," or "when."
they -- (CW) The word translated as "they" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. This is not the word usually translated as "they."
which -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source. It was added because the next verb was translated as active rather than as a participle.
come - (CW) The "come in" is a Greek verb that means "lead in", "go into," and "enter." It combines a prefix that means "in" with a root verb that means "make to go", "carry", "convey", "bring", "go", "march," and "proceed." This is not a similar word that uses the Greek word translated as "come" as its root.
in - This completes the meaning of the verb. It is from the prefix.
may -- This helping verb indicates the subjunctive mood, something that "should" or "might" happen.
see -- The verb translated as "see" means "to see," "to watch," "to look to," "to look like," "to beware," and "to look for." It is best translated as "watch" if possible to avoid confusions with the other verb that means "see" in a way that aligns more with English. It is the more tangible sense of seeing, such as seeing what is right in front of you rather than understanding so "watch" works better. "Look" does not work as well because it doesn't take a direct object and this word does.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
light. -- The Greek word translated as "the light" means "light," "daylight [primarily], "opening," and "public visibility." Jesus uses it as a metaphor for "knowledge,"
No one , -- The Greek adjective translated as "no man" also means "no one," "nothing," and other negative pronouns. It is used by Jesus more like a negative pronoun than an adjective. However, to avoid the English double-negative, we translate it as its opposite "anyone" when used with another Greek negative.
lights - (WF) The Greek verb translated as "lighted" means primarily "to join" or "touch" "to kindle," and "set on fire." It is unrelated to the word "light." Jesus uses it three times, all in Luke, to mean "to light." This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, ending with "-ing."
a -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a noun doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.
lamp , - The word translated as "candle" primarily means "lamp", specifically, a portable one. The main form of portable lights in this era were oil lamps made from clay.
and -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source. It was added because the next verb was translated as active rather than as a participle.
puts -- The Greek verb translated as "put" is translated from a Greek word that means primarily "to put," "to dedicate," "to assign," "to award," and "to place," and in the military, "to bear arms," "to lay down and surrender," but which has many related meanings as well.
it -- There is no Greek pronoun here, but Greek does not need pronouns when the object can be assumed from the context. In English, they are added for the subject-verb-object form of our sentences.
in -- The word translated as "to" means "into" a place, "towards" as a direction, "in" (a position), "as much as (of measure or limit)," "in regards to" a subject, "up to" limits in measures, "until" in reference to time, "within" a time limit, and "for" a purpose or object. Used with the Greek "from" it means "from...to."
a -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a noun doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.
in a place where it will be -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as this phrase in the Greek source.
hidden. - - (CW, WF) The Greek word for "hidden" means a "crypt" or "vault". This is the only time this word is used in the Gospels. It is the source of our English word, "hidden." This is not a verb but an noun.
or -- The Greek word for "or " is an adverb that means "not at all" or "not even" and, literally, "not, however." As a conjunction, it works as both parts of the "neither/nor" constructions. This is not the word usually translated as "or."
under -- The word translated as "of" primarily means "by," "under," or "with." Its primary meaning is "under" both in the sense of moving under, being under, and being under different forms of compulsion.
a --- (WW) The word translated as "a" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. This word doesn't mean "a."
bowl . -- The Greek dry measure translated as "bushel" was actually less than a 1/4 the size of our bushel which is 8 dry gallons at only 7.8 dry quarts. "Basket," as in a "bushel basket," is used in more translations, but it also doesn't work to block the light. The most likely measuring vessel in this era would have been a pottery jar.
Instead -- The Greek word translated as "instead" denotes an exception or simple opposition. It is used to emphasize the contrast between things like we use "instead," "but instead,"or "rather." It is not the common word usually translated as "but." It is the Greek word "other" like we use "otherwise." Jesus almost always uses this conjunction to connect a negative clause, "not this," with a positive one, "instead this."
they put it -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as this phrase in the Greek source. IP - Inserted Phrase-- The "they put it " doesn't exist in the source.
on -- The word translated as "on" means "on," "over," "upon," "for," "against," "before," "after," "during," "by" "in the case of."
its --- (WW) The word translated as "a" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. This word doesn't mean "a."
stand, -- The word translated as "candlestick" means "lampstand."
so that -- The word translated as "so that" is a conjunction that starts a subordinate clause "that," "when," "in order that" "when," or "because."As an adverb it is translated as "there" is an adverb "in that place," "there," "where," or "when."
those -- The word translated as "those" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. This is not the word usually translated as "they."
who -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source. It was added because the next verb was translated as active rather than as a participle.
come - (CW) The "come in" is a Greek verb that means "lead in", "go into," and "enter." It combines a prefix that means "in" with a root verb that means "make to go", "carry", "convey", "bring", "go", "march," and "proceed." This is not a similar word that uses the Greek word translated as "come" as its root.
in - This completes the meaning of the verb. It is from the prefix.
may -- This helping verb indicates the subjunctive mood, something that "should" or "might" happen.
see -- The verb translated as "see" means "to see," "to watch," "to look to," "to look like," "to beware," and "to look for." It is best translated as "watch" if possible to avoid confusions with the other verb that means "see" in a way that aligns more with English. It is the more tangible sense of seeing, such as seeing what is right in front of you rather than understanding so "watch" works better. "Look" does not work as well because it doesn't take a direct object and this word does.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
light. -- The Greek word translated as "the light" means "light," "daylight [primarily], "opening," and "public visibility." Jesus uses it as a metaphor for "knowledge,"
Οὐδεὶς [69 verses](adj sg masc nom) "No man" is oudeis which means "no one," "not one," "nothing," "naught," "good for naught," and "no matter."
λύχνον [9 verses] (noun sg neut acc) "A candle" is lychnos, which means "portable light," or "lamp." -
ἅψας [3 verses] (part sg aor act masc nom) "Lighted" is hapto, which means to " fasten or bind to", "join", metaph. "engage in", "undertake", "begin", "set to work", "lay hands on", "touch", "affect", "grasp with the senses", "perceive", "have intercourse with a woman", "come up to", "reach", "overtake", "make use of", "avail oneself of", "kindle", and "set on fire".
εἰς [325 verses](prep) "Into" is eis, which means "into (of place)," "up to (of time)," "until (of time)," "in" (a position), "as much as (of measure or limit)," "as far as (of measure or limit)," "towards (to express relation)," "in regard to (to express relation)," "of an end or limit," and "for (of purpose or object)." Used with ek, it means "from...to."
κρύπτην [1 verse] (noun sg fem acc) "Secret place" is from krypte, which means "vault", and "crypt"
τίθησιν [24 verses] (3rd sg pres ind act) "Putteth" is tithemi which means "to put," "to place," "to propose," "to suggest," "o deposit," "to set up," "to dedicate," "to assign," "to award," "to agree upon," "to institute," "to establish," "to make," "to work," "to prepare oneself," "to bear arms [military]," "to lay down and surrender [military]," "to lay in the grave," "to bury," and "to put words on paper [writing]," and a metaphor for "to put in one's mind."
οὐδὲ [51 verses](partic) "Neither" is oude, which, as a conjunction, means "but not," "neither," and "nor." As an adverb that means "not at all" or "not even" and, literally, "not, however."
ὑπὸ [29 verses](prep) "Of" is hypo (hupo), which means [with genitive] "from under (of motion)," "down under," under, beneath," "by" in the sense of a cause or agency, "under," or "with," "under the cover or protection of," "of the agency of feelings, passions," "expressing subjection or dependence," "subordinate," "subject to;" [with accusative] "towards" and "under" (to express motion), "under" (without a sense of motion), "subjection," "control," "dependence," of Time, "in the course of," "during," "about," as an adverb, "under," "below," beneath, the agency or influence under which a thing is done"by," "before,' and "under," (with genitive and passive verbs of cause).
τὸν [821 verses](article sg masc nom) "A" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." Proper nouns do normally not take articles but they are needed when the noun ending cannot be changed to show the noun's role in the sentence as an object, indirect object, or genitive (possessive) form. However, the Greek article is very close to "this" so the purpose of an article like this can also be demonstrative.There is no vocative definite article, (despite being shown in Perseus). When the vocative is meant, no article is used or they used ω or ε. See this article.
μόδιον [3 verses](noun sg masc acc) "Bushel" is modios, which measures 7.8 dry quarts about 1/4 of a bushel and vessels, jars or baskets, of that volume
ἀλλὰ [154 verses](conj) "But" is alla, which means "instead," "otherwise," "but," "still," "at least," "except," "yet," nevertheless," "rather," "moreover," and "nay." Followed by οὐ, the sense is "still," and "at least." Followed by γὰρ. the sense is "but really" and "certainly." Following an εἰ μὴ, clause the sense is "if not" some word , related to time, "at least still," and without the reference time, "at least"
ἐπὶ [138 verses](prep) "On" is from epi , which means "on," "upon," "at," "by," "before," "across," "for," and "against." With a noun in the possessive, genitive, it means "upon," "on" but not necessarily of Place, "by (of persons)," "deep (with numbers)," "in the presence of," "towards," "in the time of," and "over (referring to a person of authority)." With a noun indirect object, dative, it means of place: "upon," "on," or "over," of people: "against (in a hostile sense)," regarding a situation: "towards" or "in reference to," of an accumulation: "upon," "after," "addition to," and "besides," of position: "after," "behind," "in dependence upon," and "in the power of," of time: "by," and "after," and. in a causal sense: "of the occasion or cause," "for" a person, an end, or purpose," "on condition that," and "for" (a price). With the objective noun, an accusative, it means of place: "upon or on to a height," "up to," "as far as," "a little way," "a little," "towards," "to," in hostile sense: "against," of extension: "over," "over (a space)," of time: "for," "during," "up to" or "till," in a causal sense: "of (the object)," for (this purpose)," "as regards," "according to," and "by (this cause)." With verbs of perceiving, observing, and judging, it means "in the case of."
τὴν [821 verses](article sg fem acc) "A" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." Proper nouns do normally not take articles but they are needed when the noun ending cannot be changed to show the noun's role in the sentence as an object, indirect object, or genitive (possessive) form. However, the Greek article is very close to "this" so the purpose of an article like this can also be demonstrative.There is no vocative definite article, (despite being shown in Perseus). When the vocative is meant, no article is used or they used ω or ε. See this article.
λυχνίαν, [3 verses](noun sg fem acc) "Candlestick" is lychnia, which means "lampstand."
ἵνα [134 verses](adv/conj) "That" is hina, which means "in that place," "there," "where," "when," but when beginning a phrase "so that," "in order that," "when," and "because." It is used as an introduction to a command, where it isn't translated. Often is better to translate it as "so that" instead of "because" to avoid confusion with another conjunction. --
οἱ [821 verses](article sg masc nom) "They which" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." Proper nouns do normally not take articles but they are needed when the noun ending cannot be changed to show the noun's role in the sentence as an object, indirect object, or genitive (possessive) form. However, the Greek article is very close to "this" so the purpose of an article like this can also be demonstrative.There is no vocative definite article, (despite being shown in Perseus). When the vocative is meant, no article is used or they used ω or ε. See this article.
εἰσπορευόμενοι [10 verses](part pl pres mp masc nom) "Come in" is eisporeuomai, which means "lead in", "go into," and "enter." It combines "eis," which means "in" with -poreuomai, which means "make to go", "carry", "convey", "bring", "go", "march," and "proceed."
τὸ [821 verses](article sg neut acc) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." Proper nouns do normally not take articles but they are needed when the noun ending cannot be changed to show the noun's role in the sentence as an object, indirect object, or genitive (possessive) form. However, the Greek article is very close to "this" so the purpose of an article like this can also be demonstrative.There is no vocative definite article, (despite being shown in Perseus). When the vocative is meant, no article is used or they used ω or ε. See this article.
φῶς. [21 verses](noun sg neut acc) "Light" is phos, which means "light," "daylight [primarily], "illumination [of things and of the mind]," "light [of the eyes], "window," "opening," " public visibility," and "publicity." Christ uses it as a metaphor for "knowledge," but in Greek it is also a metaphor for "deliverance," "happiness," "victory," and "glory."
βλέπωσιν [46 verses](verb 3rd pl pres subj act) "May see" is from of blepo, which means "to look," "to see," "to look to," "to look like," "to rely on," "to look longingly," "to propose," "to beware," "to behold," and "to look for." Used with the preposition meaning "from" (ἀπὸ) to means "watch out."
Light, here represented by a lamp, is Christ's symbol for knowledge. Here the knowledge is ignited by contact.
The main wordplay here centers around the term translated as "put." which means "to bury" is a metaphor for "to put in one's mind." You cannot "bury" knowledge or a flame one it is ignited.
The "under a bushel" also means "under the control of a measuring system" when applied to knowledge.
It is a metaphor for a system. In this case, the idea is putting information under control of a system.
The It is interesting that the word "lamp" works better today than "candle." In that respect, we are more like the Greeks of Christ time, who used oil lamps, that the British of King Jame period who used candles. And of course, being Luke, it has a Greek word found nowhere else.