Sermon on Mount,, worth and worthlessness, visible and invisible
Matthew 5:15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a peck, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Matthew 5:15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
Matthew 5:15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.
Nor do they don't light a small lamp and place it under that big jar. Instead? Upon the lamp stand and it illuminates all those in the household.
We show our enlightenment through how we act.
The lamp here is small one, a portable one. It is contrasted with a big jar, over two gallons in size. Such a storage jar is big enough that its mouth would cover the lamp, but it is also tall enough to act as a lamp stand.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "men" doesn't exist in the source.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "a" should be "the."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "a" should be "the."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "gives light" does not contain either "give" or "light."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "are" doesn't exist in the source.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "people" doesn't exist in the source.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "a" should be "the."
- IP - Inserted Phrase-- The phrase "they put it" doesn't exist in the source.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "its" should be "the."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "gives light" does not contain either "give" or "light."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the ones" is not shown in the English translation.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "then" doesn't exist in the source.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "a" should be "the."
- IP - Inserted Phrase-- The phrase "a lamp is placed" doesn't exist in the source.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "a" should be "the."
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "where" should be "and."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "gives light" does not contain either "give" or "light."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the ones" is not shown in the English translation.
Neither -- -- The Greek word for "neither" is an adverb that means "not at all" or "not even". As a conjunction, it works as both parts of the "neither/nor" constructions. However, here, it works better here as an adverb, "not at all!"
do -- This helping verb is added to make the English flow better. The Greek could be either a question or a statement.
men -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "men" in the Greek source.
light -- The Greek term translated as "light" means "to kindle", "to set on fire", "to burn," and "to bake pottery."
a -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a word doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.
candle, -- 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.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as".
put-- The Greek word translated as "put" means "to place" but it has two other meanings that are relevant here. This is the common word for "put" or "set" not used in the previous verse. It means "to bury," which works for hiding a light under something. Jesus uses it to mean "bury" in the sense of "hide" in several other verses. It also is metaphorically used in Greek to mean "to put in one's mind."
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.
under -- The word translated as "under" 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 and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more. Here, it defines the instrument of measurement, "the measure" from the measurement itself "a measure."
bushel, -- The Greek dry measure translated as "bushel" was actually 7.8 dry quarts about 1/4 of a bushel, that is, a peck. It also refers to vessels, jars, or baskets, of that volume. "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 -- The Greek word translated as "but" denotes an exception or simple opposition. It is used to emphasize the contrast between things like we use "rather". It is from the Greek word "other" like we use "otherwise".
on -- The word translated as "on" means "against", "before", "during", "by" or "on."
a -- (WW) The word translated as "a" is the Greek definite article,"the" which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
candlestick; -- The word translated as "candlestick" means "lampstand."
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as".
it -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
giveth light -- (CW) The word translated as "gives light" is better translated as "shines out" or "illuminates." It does not contain either the words "give" or "light." The Greek word used here is the source of our word "lamp."
unto -- This word "to" comes from the dative case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English, but the translator must decide which preposition to use. The most common is "to" for an indirect object.
all -- The word for "all" also has the sense of "everyone" or "everything" when used in the plural.
that -- The word translated as "that" is the Greek definite article, which when not preceding a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
are -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "are" in the Greek source.
in -- The word translated as "in" also means "within", "with," or "among." With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." When referring to time, it means "during."
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those") that the English "the." See this article for more.
house -- The Greek word translated as "house" means both the house itself and the people in it. Then, even more than now, households and families were considered the backbone of civilization.
Neither -- -- The Greek word for "neither" is an adverb that means "not at all" or "not even". As a conjunction, it works as both parts of the "neither/nor" constructions. However, here, it works better here as an adverb, "not at all!"
do -- This helping verb is added to make the English flow better. The Greek could be either a question or a statement.
people -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "men" in the Greek source.
light -- The Greek term translated as "light" means "to kindle", "to set on fire", "to burn," and "to bake pottery."
a -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a word doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.
candle, -- 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.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as".
put-- The Greek word translated as "put" means "to place" but it has two other meanings that are relevant here. It means "to bury," which works for hiding a light under something. Christ uses it to mean "bury" in the sense of "hide" in several other verses. However, it also is metaphorically used in Greek to mean "to put in one's mind." Again, this is consistent with Christ's metaphor of light as knowledge and starting a light as having an insight.
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.
under -- The word translated as "under" 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 and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more. Here, it defines the instrument of measurement, "the measure" from the measurement itself "a measure."
bowl,, -- The Greek dry measure translated as "bowl" was actually 7.8 dry quarts about 1/4 of a bushel, that is, a peck. It also refers to vessels, jars, or baskets, of that volume. At about two gallons, this would be a large bowl. The most likely measuring vessel in this era would have been a pottery jar.
Instead -- The Greek word translated as "but" denotes an exception or simple opposition. It is used to emphasize the contrast between things like we use "rather". It is from the Greek word "other" like we use "otherwise".
they put it -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as "they put it" in the Greek source.
on -- The word translated as "on" means "against", "before", "during", "by" or "on."
its -- (WW) The word translated as "its" is the Greek definite article,"the" which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
stand; -- The word translated as "stand" means "lampstand."
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as".
it -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
gives light -- (CW) The word translated as "gives light" is better translated as "shines out" or "illuminates." It does not contain either the words "give" or "light." The Greek word used here is the source of our word "lamp."
to -- This word "to" comes from the dative case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English, but the translator must decide which preposition to use. The most common is "to" for an indirect object.
everyone -- The word for "all" also has the sense of "everyone" or "everything" when used in the plural.
missing "the ones"-- (MW) The untranslated word "the ones" is the Greek definite article, which when not preceding a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
in -- The word translated as "in" also means "within", "with," or "among." With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." When referring to time, it means "during."
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those") that the English "the." See this article for more.
house -- The Greek word translated as "house" means both the house itself and the people in it. Then, even more than now, households and families were considered the backbone of civilization.
No -- (WW) The "no" here is an adverb that means "not at all" or "not even". As a conjunction, it works as both parts of the "neither/nor" constructions.
one -- (WN) This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb.
lights -- The Greek term translated as "light" means "to kindle", "to set on fire", "to burn," and "to bake pottery."
a -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a word doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.
lamp, -- The word translated a "lamp" primarily means "lamp", specifically, a portable one. The main form of portable lights in this era were oil lamps made from clay.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as".
then -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "then" in the Greek source.
puts-- The Greek word translated as "put" means "to place" but it has two other meanings that are relevant here. It means "to bury," which works for hiding a light under something. Christ uses it to mean "bury" in the sense of "hide" in several other verses. However, it also is metaphorically used in Greek to mean "to put in one's mind." Again, this is consistent with Christ's metaphor of light as knowledge and starting a light as having an insight.
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.
under -- The word translated as "under" 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 and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more. Here, it defines the instrument of measurement, "the measure" from the measurement itself "a measure."
basket, -- The Greek word translated as "basket," actually means a dry measure that is less than a 1/4 the size of our bushel at only 7.8 dry quarts. "Basket," as in a "bushel basket" makes some sense, but a basket doesn't block the light. The most likely vessel for a dry measure in this era would have been a pottery jar. Only pottery could keep pest out and block the light. The most complete idea is a "measuring jar". It is a metaphor for a system. In this case, the idea is that putting information under control of a system is not possible.
Instead -- The Greek word translated as "but" denotes an exception or simple opposition. It is used to emphasize the contrast between things like we use "rather". It is from the Greek word "other" like we use "otherwise".
a lamp is placed -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as "a lamp is placed" in the Greek source.
on -- The word translated as "on" means "against", "before", "during", "by" or "on."
a -- (WW) The word translated as "a" is the Greek definite article,"the" which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
stand; -- The word translated as "stand" means "lampstand."
where -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "where" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as".
it -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
gives light -- (CW) The word translated as "gives light" is better translated as "shines out" or "illuminates." It does not contain either the words "give" or "light." The Greek word used here is the source of our word "lamp."
to -- This word "to" comes from the dative case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English, but the translator must decide which preposition to use. The most common is "to" for an indirect object.
everyone -- The word for "all" also has the sense of "everyone" or "everything" when used in the plural.
missing "the ones"-- (MW) The untranslated word "the ones" is the Greek definite article, which when not preceding a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
in -- The word translated as "in" also means "within", "with," or "among." With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." When referring to time, it means "during."
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those") that the English "the." See this article for more.
house -- The Greek word translated as "house" means both the house itself and the people in it. Then, even more than now, households and families were considered the backbone of civilization.
οὐδὲ (adv/conj) "Neither" is from oude , which, as a conjunction, means "but not", "neither", and "nor." As an adverb, it means "not at all" and "not even."
καίουσιν [4 verses](3rd pl pres ind act) "Do men light" is kaio, which means "to kindle", "to set on fire", "to burn," and "to bake pottery."
λύχνον [9 verses](noun sg neut acc) "A candle" is lychnos, which means "portable light," or "lamp."
καὶ (conj) "And" is from 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."
τιθέασιν (3rd pl pres ind act) "Put" is tithemi,which means "to put", "to place", "to propose", "to suggest", "to 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."
αὐτὸν (adj sg masc acc) "It" is from autos, which means "the same," and the reflexive pronouns, "myself", "yourself", "himself", "herself", "itself," or the oblique case of the pronouns, "him", "her," and "it." It also means "one's true self," that is, "the soul" as opposed to the body and "of one's own accord."
ὑπὸ (prep) "Under" is from hypo (hupo), which means "by", "before,' and "under."
τὸν (article sg masc acc) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"), which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."
μόδιον [3 verses](noun sg masc acc) "A bushel" is modios, which measures 7.8 dry quarts about 1/4 of a bushel, that is, a peck. It also refers to vessels, jars, or baskets, of that volume.
ἀλλ᾽ (adv) "But" is from alla, which means "otherwise", "but", "still", "at least", "except", "yet," nevertheless", "rather", "moreover," and "nay." It denotes an exception or a simple opposition.
ἐπὶ (prep) "On" is epi which means "on", "upon", "at", "by", "before", "across," and "against."
τὴν (article sg fem acc) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"), which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."
λυχνίαν, [3 verses](noun sg fem acc) "Candlestick" is lychnia, which means "lampstand."
καὶ (conj) "And" is from 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."
λάμπει [3 verses](3rd sg pres ind act) "It giveth light" is lampo, which means "to shine forth", "to ring loud and clear," and "to illuminate."
πᾶσιν (adj pl masc dat) "Unto all" is from pas, which means "all", "the whole", "every", "anyone", "all kinds," and "anything."
τοῖς (article pl masc dat) "That" is from the article "the" which, when it appears without a noun means "the one" or, in plural, "the ones."
ἐν (prep) "In" is from en, which means "in", "on", "at", "by", "among", "within", "surrounded by", "in one's hands", "in one's power," and "with".
τῇ (article sg fem dat) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
οἰκίᾳ. (noun sg fem dat) "The house" is from oikia, which means "house", "building," and "household."
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."
At that point, the sun came out from behind the clouds again. The Master indicated it in the sky.
“Nor do they light a lamp, and put it...” the Teacher added, picking up a nearby bread basket. “Beneath a bushel basket!”
We laughed again. And, as we did, the sun went behind another cloud.
“Where should we put our lights instead?” someone asked.
“Instead?” the Teacher responded.
He dropped the basket and lifted his hands holding the imaginary lamp higher and higher, finally rising to his toes.
“Instead, up on this...” he started saying.
He paused, straining to reach higher. As the Master teetered on his toes, many, especially the children, began giggling. What was he doing?
Then the cloud moved on, and the sun revealed its face once more.
“Lampstand!” he exclaimed proudly, indicating the reappearing sun as if he’d hung it in the sky. “And it lights up everyone in the house!”
Again, we were bathed in light and applauding.