A crowd gathers.
Luke 11:34 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.
Luke 11:34 Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are healthy,[fn] your whole body also is full of light. But when they are unhealthy, your body also is full of darkness.
The lamp of the body is that eye of yours. Whenever that eye of yours is focused straight, also that whole body of yours is shining bright. Whenever, however, it is worthless, also that body of yours is dark blind.
By seeing clearly we can throw light on the world.
Ὁ λύχνος τοῦ σώματός ἐστιν ὁ ὀφθαλμός σου. ὅταν ὁ ὀφθαλμός σου ἁπλοῦς ᾖ,
The lamp of the body is that eye of yours. Whenever that eye of yours focused straight, is
καὶ ὅλον τὸ σῶμά σου φωτινόν ἐστιν:
also whole that body of yours shining bright! is
ἐπὰν δὲ πονηρὸς ᾖ, καὶ τὸ σῶμά σου σκοτινόν.
Whenever, however, worthless, it is also that body of yours [is] dark blind.
The Greek word translated as "single" and "healthy" primarily means "single," but it also means "open," which applies to eyes, but it means "open" more in the sense of being "frank" from its meaning as "straightforward." The sense here of that could be "seeing straight." The "single" could also mean "focused" when applied to eyes.
The Greek word translated as "full of light" means "shining" and "bright." It has no sense of "full of", which is added to create a meaning not in the original. Since Christ uses light as a metaphor for "knowing", the term "bright" works well because in English it means "intelligent." However, there is also a sense of "successful" and "well-known," as we might say that someone has a "bright career" or is a "bright star" in their profession. It is also a metaphor for "clear" and "distinct,"which makes perfect sense when talking about the eye or sight. For more on the words used to mean "light" refer to this article.
The word translated as "evil" and "unhealthy" means "second-rate" or "worthless." This makes much more sense in a contrast with a "focused" eye in the previous verse. This article explores the meaning of this Greek in more detail, using this verse as an example of why "evil" doesn't work. Interestingly enough, there is another Greek word combining the Greek words used for "evil" and "eye" that has the meaning of "envious" eye.
The word translated as "full of darkness" means "dark", "blind". It also means "dull" in the sense of slow or not intelligent. "Dark blind" works well against "shining bright" and captures many aspects of its meaning.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not one of the common words usually translated as "light."
- OS -- Outdated Source -- The Greek missing word "of yours" is in the source we use today.
- OS -- Outdated Source -- The Greek word translated as "therefore " existed in the KJV Greek source but not the source we use today.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word that should usually be translated as "when."
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "evil" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "body" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW --Confusing Word -- "full of light's" translation is more specific than the word's more general meaning.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word that should usually be translated as "when."
- IP - Inserted Phrase-- The "thine eye" doesn't exist in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "body" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW --Confusing Word -- "full of darknssess's" translation is more specific than the word's more general meaning
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "eye" is not shown in the English translation.
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "your" should be something more like "the."
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word that should usually be translated as "when."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "eye" is not shown in the English translation.
- WN --Wrong Number- The word "eyes" is translated as plural but the Greek word is singular.
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "healthy" should be something more like "look."
- CW --Confusing Word -- "full of light's" translation is more specific than the word's more general meaning.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word that should usually be translated as "when."
- IP - Inserted Phrase-- The "thine eye" doesn't exist in the source.
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "unhealthy" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "body" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW --Confusing Word -- "full of darknssess's" translation is more specific than the word's more general meaning
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 -- (CW) The word translated as "light" primarily means "lamp", specifically, a portable one. The main form of portable lights in this era were oil lamps made from clay. This is not one of the common words usually translated as "word."
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession.
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.
body -- The word translated as "body" means "body," either living or dead, but it also means anything physical or solid. Like our word "body" it has special meanings such as "body" of proof and the "body" of a document. It is the opposite of "spirit" but more connected to the "soul" because it is part of this life. It is the physical substance of things, the body of men and animals or of heavenly bodies or groups of people. See this article for more.
is -- The verb "is" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics. The word also means "to exist" and where it doesn't connect to characteristics or conditions.
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.
eye: -- The Greek word for "eye" is the more technical terms for "eye" but it also means "sight." In Greek, an eye is a metaphor for comfort and cheer.
missing "of yours" -- (OS) The untranslated word is the word "your" is the genitive form of the singular, second-person pronoun, which is most commonly the possessive form. This pronoun follows the noun so "of yours."
therefore -- (OS) There is nothing in the Greek that can be translated as this in the source we use today but it does exist in the source that the KJV translators used.
when -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "when" introduces a phrase that explains a certain condition so "whenever" or "since." This is not the more common word for "when." Here, the condition is less certain to happen.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word 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," and "those"). See this article for more. MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "eye" is not shown in the English translation.
thine -- The word translated as "your" is the genitive form of the singular, second-person pronoun, which is most commonly the possessive form. This pronoun follows the noun so "of yours."
eye -- The Greek word for "eye" is the more technical terms for "eye" but it also means "sight." In Greek, an eye is a metaphor for comfort and cheer.
is -- The verb "is" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics. The word also means "to exist" and where it doesn't connect to characteristics or conditions.
single, - - The Greek word translated as "single" primarily means "single," but it also means "open," which applies to eyes, but it means "open" more in the sense of being "frank" from its meaning as "straightforward." The sense here of that could be "seeing straight." The "single" could also mean "focused" when applied to eyes.
thy -- The word translated as "your" is the genitive form of the singular, second-person pronoun, which is most commonly the possessive form. This pronoun follows the noun so "of yours."
whole -- The word translated as "whole" means something that is "complete" or "the whole" of something, and can mean "the whole universe" as well as being "safe and sound" in being kept "whole." It is used as an adverb, which can mean "wholly," "really," "entirely," or "generally speaking."
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word 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," and "those"). See this article for more.
body -- The word translated as "body" means "body," either living or dead, but it also means anything physical or solid. Like our word "body" it has special meanings such as "body" of proof and the "body" of a document. It is the opposite of "spirit" but more connected to the "soul" because it is part of this life. It is the physical substance of things, the body of men and animals or of heavenly bodies or groups of people. See this article for more.
also - -- The Greek word translated as "also" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
is -- The verb "is" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics. The word also means "to exist" and where it doesn't connect to characteristics or conditions.
full of light -- (CW) The Greek adjective translated as "full of light" means "shining" and "bright." It has no sense of "full of." Since Jesus uses light as a metaphor for knowing, the term "bright" works well because in English it means "intelligent." However, there is also a sense of "successful" and "well-known," as we might say that someone has a "bright career" or is a "bright star" in their profession. For more on the words used to mean "light" refer to this article. This translation is more specific than the word's meaning.
but -- The Greek word translated as "but" means "but," "however," and "on the other hand." It joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better.
when -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "when" introduces a phrase that explains a certain condition so "whenever" or "since." This is not the more common word for "when." Here, the condition is less certain to happen.
thine eye -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as this phrase in the Greek source.
is -- The verb "is" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics. The word also means "to exist" and where it doesn't connect to characteristics or conditions.
evil, - (CW) The word translated as "evil" means "second-rate" or "worthless." When used as a noun, it has the sense of "worthlessness" or, when referring to an action, a "failure." It doesn't have a sense of malevolence that our word "evil" does. This article explores its meaning in more detail.
thy -- The word translated as "your" is the genitive form of the singular, second-person pronoun, which is most commonly the possessive form. This pronoun follows the noun so "of yours."
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word 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," and "those"). See this article for more.
body -- The word translated as "body" means "body," either living or dead, but it also means anything physical or solid. Like our word "body" it has special meanings such as "body" of proof and the "body" of a document. It is the opposite of "spirit" but more connected to the "soul" because it is part of this life. It is the physical substance of things, the body of men and animals or of heavenly bodies or groups of people. See this article for more.
also -- The Greek word translated as "also" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
is -- There is no verb "is" here in the Greek source but it is implied by the noun in the form of a subject having no verb associated with it.
full of darkness. - - (CW) The word translated as "full of darkness" means "dark", "blind", "dull", and "in privacy". It is the adjective form of the word that Jesus commonly uses to mean "dark (again, more about all these words and their use here). It has no sense of "full of", but it has the same ending as the word translated as "full of light" in the previous verse. Since Jesus uses light as a metaphor for knowing, the translation as "dull" works well because in English it means not bright. However, It is also the opposite of "well-known," since it means "obscure." As the opposite of seeing things clearly and distinctly, it means "blind" but Jesus typically uses another Greek word to mean "blind" but this word is a form of the word translated as "darkness" here.
Your - - The word "your" is the genitive form of the singular, second-person pronoun, which is most commonly the possessive form. This pronoun follows the noun so "of yours."
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word 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," and "those"). See this article for more.
eye: -- The Greek word for "eye" is the more technical terms for "eye" but it also means "sight." In Greek, an eye is a metaphor for comfort and cheer.
is -- The verb "is" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics. The word also means "to exist" and where it doesn't connect to characteristics or conditions.
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.
lamp -- (CW) The word translated as "lamp " primarily means "lamp", specifically, a portable one. The main form of portable lights in this era were oil lamps made from clay. This is not one of the common words usually translated as "word."
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession.
your -- (WW) The word translated as "your" 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 "your."
body -- The word translated as "body" means "body," either living or dead, but it also means anything physical or solid. Like our word "body" it has special meanings such as "body" of proof and the "body" of a document. It is the opposite of "spirit" but more connected to the "soul" because it is part of this life. It is the physical substance of things, the body of men and animals or of heavenly bodies or groups of people. See this article for more.
when -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "when" introduces a phrase that explains a certain condition so "whenever" or "since." This is not the more common word for "when." Here, the condition is less certain to happen.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word 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," and "those"). See this article for more.
your -- The word translated as "your" is the genitive form of the singular, second-person pronoun, which is most commonly the possessive form. This pronoun follows the noun so "of yours."
eyes -- (WN) The Greek word for "eyes" is the more technical terms for "eye" but it also means "sight." In Greek, an eye is a metaphor for comfort and cheer. --This word is not plural but singular.
are -- The verb "is" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics. The word also means "to exist" and where it doesn't connect to characteristics or conditions.
healthy, - - (WW) The Greek word translated as "healthy" primarily means "single," but it also means "open," which applies to eyes, but it means "open" more in the sense of being "frank" from its meaning as "straightforward." The sense here of that could be "seeing straight." The "single" could also mean "focused" when applied to eyes. This word doesn't mean "healthy."
your -- The word translated as "your" is the genitive form of the singular, second-person pronoun, which is most commonly the possessive form. This pronoun follows the noun so "of yours."
whole -- The word translated as "whole" means something that is "complete" or "the whole" of something, and can mean "the whole universe" as well as being "safe and sound" in being kept "whole." It is used as an adverb, which can mean "wholly," "really," "entirely," or "generally speaking."
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word 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," and "those"). See this article for more.
body -- The word translated as "body" means "body," either living or dead, but it also means anything physical or solid. Like our word "body" it has special meanings such as "body" of proof and the "body" of a document. It is the opposite of "spirit" but more connected to the "soul" because it is part of this life. It is the physical substance of things, the body of men and animals or of heavenly bodies or groups of people. See this article for more.
also - -- The Greek word translated as "also" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
is -- The verb "is" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics. The word also means "to exist" and where it doesn't connect to characteristics or conditions.
full of light -- (CW) The Greek adjective translated as "full of light" means "shining" and "bright." It has no sense of "full of." Since Jesus uses light as a metaphor for knowing, the term "bright" works well because in English it means "intelligent." However, there is also a sense of "successful" and "well-known," as we might say that someone has a "bright career" or is a "bright star" in their profession. For more on the words used to mean "light" refer to this article. This translation is more specific than the word's meaning.
but -- The Greek word translated as "but" means "but," "however," and "on the other hand." It joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better.
when -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "when" introduces a phrase that explains a certain condition so "whenever" or "since." This is not the more common word for "when." Here, the condition is less certain to happen.
they -- (WN) - This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb. This word is not plural but singular. WN --Wrong Number- The word "they " is translated as plural but the Greek word is singular.
is -- The verb "is" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics. The word also means "to exist" and where it doesn't connect to characteristics or conditions.
unhealthy, - (CW) The word translated as "unhealthy" means "second-rate" or "worthless." When used as a noun, it has the sense of "worthlessness" or, when referring to an action, a "failure." It doesn't have a sense of malevolence that our word "evil" does. This article explores its meaning in more detail.
your -- The word translated as "your" is the genitive form of the singular, second-person pronoun, which is most commonly the possessive form. This pronoun follows the noun so "of yours."
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word 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," and "those"). See this article for more.
also -- The Greek word translated as "also" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
body -- The word translated as "body" means "body," either living or dead, but it also means anything physical or solid. Like our word "body" it has special meanings such as "body" of proof and the "body" of a document. It is the opposite of "spirit" but more connected to the "soul" because it is part of this life. It is the physical substance of things, the body of men and animals or of heavenly bodies or groups of people. See this article for more.
is -- There is no verb "is" here in the Greek source but it is implied by the noun in the form of a subject having no verb associated with it.
full of darkness. - (CW) The word translated as "full of darkness" means "dark", "blind", "dull", and "in privacy". It is the adjective form of the word that Jesus commonly uses to mean "dark (again, more about all these words and their use here). It has no sense of "full of", but it has the same ending as the word translated as "full of light" in the previous verse. Since Jesus uses light as a metaphor for knowing, the translation as "dull" works well because in English it means not bright. However, It is also the opposite of "well-known," since it means "obscure." As the opposite of seeing things clearly and distinctly, it means "blind" but Jesus typically uses another Greek word to mean "blind" but this word is a form of the word translated as "darkness" here. "Dark blind" works best.
Ὁ [821 verses](article sg masc nom) "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.
λύχνος [9 verses](noun sg masc nom ) "Candle" is lychnos, which means "portable light," or "lamp."
τοῦ [821 verses](article sg masc gen) "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.
σώματός [17 verses]((noun sg neut gen) "Body" is soma, which means "body," "dead body," "the living body," "animal body," "person," "human being," "any corporeal substance," "metallic substance," "figure of three dimensions [math]," "solid," "whole [of a thing]," "frame [of a thing]," "the body of the proof," "a body of writings." and "text of a document."
ἐστίν.[614 verses](3rd sg pres ind act) "Is" is eimi, which means "to be," "to exist," "to be the case," of circumstance and events "to happen," and "is possible." With the possessive (genitive) object, it means "is descended from," "is the type of," "belongs to," "is made of," "is a duty of," "is at the mercy of," or " is dependent on." With an indirect (dative) object, it means "have" where the subject and object are reversed. "It is to him" becomes "it is his" or "he has it." With the preposition,"into" (εἰς), the sense is "consist of." When the verb "to be" appears early in the clause before the subject, the sense is more like "it is" or, in the plural, "there are."
ὁ [821 verses](article sg masc nom) "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.
ὀφθαλμός. [26 verses](noun sg masc masc)"Eye" is ophthalmos, which means "eye," "sight," "the dearest and best," "light," "cheer," "comfort," and "the bud [of a plant]."
σου [144 verses](pron 2nd sg gen) "Thy" is sou is the genitive form of the second-person, singular pronoun that means "of you" and "your." As a genitive object of a preposition, as here, it means a movement away from something or a position away from something else.
ὅταν [70 verses](adv/conj) "When" is from hotan, which means "whenever (as a condition)," and "since (as a cause)."
ὁ [821 verses](article sg masc nom) Untranslated 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. See this article. -
ὀφθαλμός. [26 verses](noun sg masc masc)"Eye" is ophthalmos, which means "eye," "sight," "the dearest and best," "light," "cheer," "comfort," and "the bud [of a plant]."
σου [144 verses](pron 2nd sg gen) "Thy" is sou is the genitive form of the second-person, singular pronoun that means "of you" and "your." As a genitive object of a preposition, as here, it means a movement away from something or a position away from something else.
ἁπλοῦς [2 verses] (adj sg masc nom) "Single" is from haplous, which, as an adjective, it means "twofold", "single", "simple", "plain", "straightforward", "open", "frank", "simple-minded", "unalloyed[metals]," and "pure[metal].
ᾖ [614 verses] (verb 3rd sg pres subj act contr) "Is" is eimi, which means "to be," "to exist," "to be the case," of circumstance and events "to happen," and "is possible." With the possessive (genitive) object, it means "is descended from," "is the type of," "belongs to," "is made of," "is a duty of," "is at the mercy of," or " is dependent on." With an indirect (dative) object, it means "have" where the subject and object are reversed. "It is to him" becomes "it is his" or "he has it." With the preposition,"into" (εἰς), the sense is "consist of." When the verb "to be" appears early in the clause before the subject, the sense is more like "it is" or, in the plural, "there are."
καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "Also" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just." In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
ὅλον. [23 verses](adj sg neut acc) "Whole" is holos, which means "the whole," "entire," "complete," "complete in all its parts" and "the universe." As an adverb, it means "wholly," "altogether," "entirely," "on the whole," "speaking generally," "utter," "actually," and "really."
τὸ[821 verses](article sg neut nom) Untranslated 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. See this article. -
σῶμά [17 verses]((noun sg neut nom) "Body" is soma, which means "body," "dead body," "the living body," "animal body," "person," "human being," "any corporeal substance," "metallic substance," "figure of three dimensions [math]," "solid," "whole [of a thing]," "frame [of a thing]," "the body of the proof," "a body of writings." and "text of a document."
σου [144 verses](pron 2nd sg gen) "Thy" is sou is the genitive form of the second-person, singular pronoun that means "of you" and "your." As a genitive object of a preposition, as here, it means a movement away from something or a position away from something else.
φωτινὸν [3 verses](adj sg neut nom) "Full of light" is photeinos, which means "shining," and "bright." It is a metaphor for "clear," and "distinct."
ἐστίν.[614 verses](3rd sg pres ind act) "Is" is eimi, which means "to be," "to exist," "to be the case," of circumstance and events "to happen," and "is possible." With the possessive (genitive) object, it means "is descended from," "is the type of," "belongs to," "is made of," "is a duty of," "is at the mercy of," or " is dependent on." With an indirect (dative) object, it means "have" where the subject and object are reversed. "It is to him" becomes "it is his" or "he has it." With the preposition,"into" (εἰς), the sense is "consist of." When the verb "to be" appears early in the clause before the subject, the sense is more like "it is" or, in the plural, "there are."
ὅταν [70 verses](adv/conj) "When" is from hotan, which means "whenever (as a condition)," and "since (as a cause)."
δὲ [446 verses](conj) "But" is de which means "but" and "on the other hand." It is the particle that joins sentences in an adversarial way but can also be an explanation of an indirect cause ("so") and a condition ("if"). In an "if" (εἰ) clause or temporal "when" (ὅταν) clause the sense is "if/when... then." In a series begun by men, it means "on the other hand." In a listing, the sense is "then" or "yet." After an interruption, "so then." It can also be an explanation of cause ("so") and a condition ("if"). When used with a conditional starting a clause, the sense is "if/when...then." When used with a particle meaning "indeed" the sense is "on one hand...on the other hand." In a listing, the sense is "then" or "yet." After an interruption, "so then."
πονηρὸς [38 verses](adj sg masc nom) "Evil" is poneros, which means "burdened by toil," "useless," and "worthless." In a moral sense, it means "worthless," "base," and "cowardly." -
ᾖ [614 verses] (verb 3rd sg pres subj act contr) "Is" is eimi, which means "to be," "to exist," "to be the case," of circumstance and events "to happen," and "is possible." With the possessive (genitive) object, it means "is descended from," "is the type of," "belongs to," "is made of," "is a duty of," "is at the mercy of," or " is dependent on." With an indirect (dative) object, it means "have" where the subject and object are reversed. "It is to him" becomes "it is his" or "he has it." With the preposition,"into" (εἰς), the sense is "consist of." When the verb "to be" appears early in the clause before the subject, the sense is more like "it is" or, in the plural, "there are."
καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just." In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
τὸ[821 verses](article sg neut nom) Untranslated 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. See this article. -
σῶμά [17 verses](noun sg neut nom) "Body" is soma, which means "body," "dead body," "the living body," "animal body," "person," "human being," "any corporeal substance," "metallic substance," "figure of three dimensions [math]," "solid," "whole [of a thing]," "frame [of a thing]," "the body of the proof," "a body of writings." and "text of a document."
σου [144 verses](pron 2nd sg gen) "Thy" is sou is the genitive form of the second-person, singular pronoun that means "of you" and "your." As a genitive object of a preposition, as here, it means a movement away from something or a position away from something else.
σκοτινὸν [3 verses] (adj sg neut nom) "Full of darkness" is skoteinos (σκοτεινός ), which means "dark", "blind", "in the darkness," and "in privacy." It is a metaphor, for "obscure," and "secret."
There are many plays here on light and darkness, vision and blindness, happiness and sadness. .
This combines two verses in Matthew (Matthew 6:22, Matthew 6:23).