A crowd gathers.
Luke 11:36 If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.
Luke 11:36 Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be just as full of light as when a lamp shines its light on you.
If, certainly that whole body of work of yours [is] bright, not having any part dark, it will be wholly shining. Just like whenever the lamp, that lamplight, shines on you.
We want to be illuminated not in part, but in whole.
The first two Greek words, translated as "if therefore" mean "if so" when used together like this.
What does Jesus mean by describing a "body" as "shining?" The Greek word also means "the whole of a thing" as we say "the body of law," "the body of evidence" or "the body of congress."Here, the words mean "the whole of you" is shining. This meaning is emphasized by Jesus's use of the adverb "wholly" twice here and the use of the phase "no part. The "wholly" is ignored in the NIV.
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 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. 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 "dark" means "dark", "blind". It also means "dull" in the sense of slow or not intelligent. It was translated as "full of darkness" in Luke 11:34.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "body" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "therefore" does not capture the word's specific meaning in this situation.
- CW --Confusing Word -- "full of light's" translation is more specific than the word's more general meaning.
- WP -- Wrongly Placed -- The word "no" doesn't appear here but negates the verb.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "any" is not shown in the English translation.
- IW - Inserted Word-- The "the" doesn't exist in the source.
- WF -- Wrong Form - This is not an adjective but an adverb.
- 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."
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "bright shining" does not capture the word's specific meaning in this situation.
- WF -- Wrong Form - This is not a possessive but a subject.
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "a" should be something more like "the."
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "therefore" does not capture the word's specific meaning in this situation.
- 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.
- IW - Inserted Word-- The "and" doesn't exist in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "having" is not shown in the English translation.
- WP -- Wrongly Placed -- The word "no" doesn't appear here but negates the verb.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "any" is not shown in the English translation.
- IW - Inserted Word-- The "of it" doesn't exist in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "wholly" is not shown in the English translation."
- IP - Inserted Phrase-- The "just as " doesn't exist in the source.
- WF -- Wrong Form - This is not an adjective but an adverb.
- 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."
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "a" should be something more like "the."
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "its" should be something more like "the."
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "light."
If -- The "if" here is used to express conditions "if" (implying nothing about its fulfillment) or indirect and direct questions, "whether."It also means "if ever" and "whenever." When used in an "if" clause, the verb is the subjunctive form of possibility. When citing a fact the sense is more "whether," "since" or "as sure as."
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.
therefore -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "therefore" either emphasizes the truth of something ("certainly," "really") or it simply continues an existing narrative, "then," "therefore." After the initial "if," It means "so."
be -- 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 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
having - The word translated as "having" means to "have," "possess," "bear," "keep close," "hold in," "to have due to one," or "keep" and many specific uses. It is in the form of a verbal adjective, "having."
no -- (WP) The negative used here is the Greek negative of a subjective opinion, commands, verbs of possibility, and requests. It applies to will, feeling, and thought. Used with verbs in the mood of possibility to express a prohibition. The "no" doesn't belong here but before the verb.
part - "Part" is a noun that means "share", "portion", "lot", "destiny", "heritage", "one's turn," the part one takes," "proportion," and "part" (as an opposite of whole).
missing "any" -- (MW) The untranslated word "any" in the singular means "anyone," "someone," "something," and "anything." The same forms are used both for the masculine or feminine so "anyone" works best for a person. In the plural, it means "everyone," "some," "they," and "those." Jesus often uses it to start a question so it means "who," "what," "which," or even "why."
dark, The word translated as "dark" 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.
the -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.
whole -- (WF) 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." This is not an adjective but an adverb.
shall -- This helping verb "shall" indicates that the verb is the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
be -- 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.
as "-- The word translated as "as" has a very broad meaning, translated as "when," "where," "just as," "like," and related words. It means "how" only in an exclamation with and adjective or adverb like "how wonderful." This is not the word usually translated as "how."
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.
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.
bright shining - - (CW) "Bright shining" is "a flash of lightning," "lightning," and the "light of a lamp. " It is a metaphor for the "flashing" of the eyes.
of -- (WF) 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. This is not a possessive but a subject.
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."
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.
doth -- This helping verb is used to create questions, commands, negative statements, and smooth word flow in English.
give - -"Give light" is from a verb that means "shine", "give light", "illuminate", "bring to light", "make known", "enlighten", "instruct", "teach", "throw light upon", and "illustrate". It is only used here by Jesus.
thee - The "you" here is the singular, direct object form the second-person pronoun. It is the object of either the action of the verb or a preposition.
light.- This completes the meaning of the verb. It is from the prefix.
Therefore,-- (CW) The Greek word translated as "therefore" either emphasizes the truth of something ("certainly," "really") or it simply continues an existing narrative, "then," "therefore." After the initial "if," It means "so."
if -- The "if" here is used to express conditions "if" (implying nothing about its fulfillment) or indirect and direct questions, "whether."It also means "if ever" and "whenever." When used in an "if" clause, the verb is the subjunctive form of possibility. When citing a fact the sense is more "whether," "since" or "as sure as."
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.
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 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.
and -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.
missing "having" -- (MW) The untranslated word "having" means to "have," "possess," "bear," "keep close," "hold in," "to have due to one," or "keep" and many specific uses. It is in the form of a verbal adjective, "having."
no -- (WP) The negative used here is the Greek negative of a subjective opinion, commands, verbs of possibility, and requests. It applies to will, feeling, and thought. Used with verbs in the mood of possibility to express a prohibition. The "no" doesn't belong here but before the verb.
part - "Part" is a noun that means "share", "portion", "lot", "destiny", "heritage", "one's turn," the part one takes," "proportion," and "part" (as an opposite of whole).
missing "any" -- (MW) The untranslated word "any" in the singular means "anyone," "someone," "something," and "anything." The same forms are used both for the masculine or feminine so "anyone" works best for a person. In the plural, it means "everyone," "some," "they," and "those." Jesus often uses it to start a question so it means "who," "what," "which," or even "why."source.
of it -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.
dark, The word translated as "dark" 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.
the -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source. IW - Inserted Word-- The "the" doesn't exist in the source.
missing "wholly" -- (MW) The untranslated word wholly" 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." This is not an adjective but an adverb.
will -- This helping verb "will " indicates that the verb is the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
be -- 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.
just as -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as this phrase in the Greek source.
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.
as "-- The word translated as "as" has a very broad meaning, translated as "when," "where," "just as," "like," and related words. It means "how" only in an exclamation with and adjective or adverb like "how wonderful." This is not the word usually translated as "how."
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.
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."
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.
shines -"Shines" is from a verb that means "shine", "give light", "illuminate", "bring to light", "make known", "enlighten", "instruct", "teach", "throw light upon", and "illustrate". It is only used here by Jesus.
its - (WW) The word translated as "its" 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 "its.
light - (CW) "Light" is "a flash of lightning," "lightning," and the "light of a lamp. " It is a metaphor for the "flashing" of the eyes. This is not the word usually translated as "light."
on - This completes the meaning of the verb, which takes on object.
you - The "you" here is the singular, direct object form the second-person pronoun. It is the object of either the action of the verb or a preposition.
εἰ [90 verses](conj) "If" is ei, which is the particle used to express conditions "if" (with the indicative, implying nothing about its fulfillment) or indirect and direct questions, "whether." It also means "if ever," "in case," and "whenever." In citing a fact, it can mean "as sure as" or "since." It is combined with various conjunctions to create derivative conditions. When appearing as εἰ δὲ (literally, "if however") the sense is "if this...then that." The construction εἰ δὲ μή . . means "otherwise." The construction εἰ οὖν has the sense of "if so." However, it is also used to express a wish. After verbs of wonder, delight, indignation, disappointment, contentment, and similar emotions, it is use instead of ὅτι, to express the object of the feeling in a hypothetical form, "that" with the indicative (not subjunctive). With the future tense, it is used for emphasis, a warning, or an intention. When this word is paired with the conjunction translated as "but" or "however," the structure works like an "if then" statement in English. With verbs of desire and emotion and the indicative in the second clause, the sense is "that." With an imperative, it is used to express a wish. The sense is "I wish that." With the future tense indicative, it is used for emphasis, a warning, or an intention. The emphasis clause is after the main statement.
οὖν [82 verses](adv) "Therefore" is oun, which means "certainly," "in fact," "really," "in fact," "so" and "then" (continuing a narrative), and "then" and "therefore."
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.
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."
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."
μὴ [447 verses](conj) "Not" is me , which is the negative used in prohibitions and expressions of doubt meaning "not" and "no." The negative, μή, rejects, is relative, and subjective. It is used with verbs of subjective action: thinking, feeling, seeing, etc. It is used in imperative and subjunctive clauses because both express opinions. With pres. or aor. subjunctive, it is used in a warning or statement of fear, "take care." The combination of ἵνα μή means "lest." The combination of ὅτι μή, means "except." Used before tis with an imperative to express a will or wish for something in independent sentences and, with subjunctives, to express prohibitions. It is used with infinitives that express a purpose. When used with verbs of physical action, its sense is that "not wanting" or "thinking" something, not that it isn't done or thought. With these verbs, the sense is rejecting the action, rather than simply not doing it. With the verb "to be," the sense is "doesn't seem." When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words. Used with an imperative to express a will or wish. Used in negative conditional "when/if/whoever" clauses. With "have," the sense is "lacks" or "wants."
ἔχον [181 verses] (part sg pres act neut nom\acc) "Having" is echo, which means "to have," "to hold," "to possess," "to keep," "to have charge of," "to have due to one," "to maintain," "to hold fast," "to hold in," "to bear," "to carry," "to keep close," "to keep safe," and "to have means to do." In aorist, it can mean "acquire," or "get." The main sense when it has an object is "to have" or "to hold." With a gen. object, "to keep back" or "withhold" a thing. The main sense when not having an object is "to hold" and "to keep." When its object is an infinitive verb, it means "it could," not "in must" as in English. This verb isn't used to form past tenses as the helper verb does in English. Nor does it have the sense of "must" when used with infinitives. -
μέρος [5 verses](noun sg neut nom/acc) "" is meros, which means "share", "portion", "lot", "destiny", "heritage", "one's turn," the part one takes," "proportion," and "part" (as an opposite of whole). -
τι [252 verses] (pron sg neut acc) Untranslated is tis, which can mean "someone," "something," "any one," "everyone," "they [indefinite]," "many a one," "whoever," "anyone," "anything," "some sort," "some sort of," "each," "any," "the individual," "such," and so on. In a question, it can mean "who," "why," or "what." Plural, "who are" is τίνες ἐόντες. It has specific meanings with certain prepositions, διὰ τί; for what reason? ἐκ τίνος; from what cause? ἐς τί; to what point? to what end?
σκοτινὸν [3 verses] (adj sg neut nom) "Full of darkness" is skoteinos, which means "dark", "blind", "in the darkness," and "in privacy." It is a metaphor, for "obscure," and "secret."
ἔσται [614 verses](verb 3rd sg fut ind mid) "Shall be" 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."
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."
ὅλον. [23 verses](adj sg neut acc) "Whole" is holos, which means "the whole," "entire," "complete," "complete in all its parts" and "the universe." This neuter form can be an adverb, which means "wholly," "altogether," "entirely," "on the whole," "speaking generally," "utter," "actually," and "really."
ὡς (167 verses](adv/conj) "As" is hos, an adverb which means to "thus," "as," "when," "where," "like," "just as," "so far as," "as much as can be," "that," "in order that," "nearly (with numbers)," and "know that." It means "how" only in an exclamation with and adjective or adverb like "how wonderful.
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) "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 fem nom) "Candle" is lychnos, which means "portable light," or "lamp."
τῇ [821 verses](article sg fem 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.
ἀστραπῇ [4 verses](noun sg fem nom) "Bright shining" is from astrapê, which means "a flash of lightning," "lightning," and the "light of a lamp. " It is a metaphor for the "flashing" of the eyes. -
φωτίζῃ [1 verse](verb 3rd sg pres subj act) "Doth give light" is photizo, which means "shine", "give light", "illuminate", "bring to light", "make known", "enlighten", "instruct", "teach", "throw light upon", and "illustrate".
σε: [48 verses](pron 2nd sg acc) "You" is from se the accusative (direct objective) form of the second-person, singular pronoun. As an object of a preposition, it indicates movement or the result of movement. -- -
The different words for "light" here refer to illumination or enlightenment.
Body means both the physical body and a body of work giving the sense that enlightenment starts with what we do rather than what we think,