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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Matthew 5:15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they set it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/5-15.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/40_Mat_05_15.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 5:15 - Salt and Light" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they set it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/matthew/5-15.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/matthew/5-15.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/matthew/">Matthew</a> > <a href="/matthew/5.htm">Chapter 5</a> > Verse 15</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/matthew/5-14.htm" title="Matthew 5:14">◄</a> Matthew 5:15 <a href="/matthew/5-16.htm" title="Matthew 5:16">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comment </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/matthew/5.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/matthew/5.htm">New International Version</a> 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. <a href="/nlt/matthew/5.htm">New Living Translation</a> 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. <a href="/esv/matthew/5.htm">English Standard Version</a> Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. <a href="/bsb/matthew/5.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they set it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. <a href="/blb/matthew/5.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but upon the lampstand, and it gives light to all those in the house. <a href="/kjv/matthew/5.htm">King James Bible</a> Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. <a href="/nkjv/matthew/5.htm">New King James Version</a> Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. <a href="/nasb_/matthew/5.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. <a href="/nasb/matthew/5.htm">NASB 1995</a> nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. <a href="/nasb77/matthew/5.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “Nor do men light a lamp, and put it under the peck-measure, but on the lampstand; and it gives light to all who are in the house. <a href="/lsb/matthew/5.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. <a href="/amp/matthew/5.htm">Amplified Bible</a> nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. <a href="/csb/matthew/5.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. <a href="/hcsb/matthew/5.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. <a href="/asv/matthew/5.htm">American Standard Version</a> Neither do men light a lamp, and put it under the bushel, but on the stand; and it shineth unto all that are in the house. <a href="/cev/matthew/5.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> and no one lights a lamp and puts it under a clay pot. Instead, it is placed on a lampstand, where it can give light to everyone in the house. <a href="/erv/matthew/5.htm">English Revised Version</a> Neither do men light a lamp, and put it under the bushel, but on the stand; and it shineth unto all that are in the house. <a href="/gwt/matthew/5.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket. Instead, everyone who lights a lamp puts it on a lamp stand. Then its light shines on everyone in the house. <a href="/gnt/matthew/5.htm">Good News Translation</a> No one lights a lamp and puts it under a bowl; instead it is put on the lampstand, where it gives light for everyone in the house. <a href="/isv/matthew/5.htm">International Standard Version</a> People don't light a lamp and put it under a basket but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. <a href="/msb/matthew/5.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they set it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. <a href="/net/matthew/5.htm">NET Bible</a> People do not light a lamp and put it under a basket but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. <a href="/nheb/matthew/5.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Neither do you light a lamp, and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand; and it shines to all who are in the house. <a href="/wbt/matthew/5.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a close vessel, but on a candlestick: and it giveth light to all that are in the house. <a href="/wey/matthew/5.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Nor is a lamp lighted to be put under a bushel, but on the lampstand; and then it gives light to all in the house. <a href="/web/matthew/5.htm">World English Bible</a> Neither do you light a lamp and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand; and it shines to all who are in the house. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/matthew/5.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> nor do they light a lamp and put it under the measure, but on the lampstand, and it shines to all those in the house; <a href="/blb/matthew/5.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but upon the lampstand, and it gives light to all those in the house. <a href="/ylt/matthew/5.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> nor do they light a lamp, and put it under the measure, but on the lamp-stand, and it shineth to all those in the house; <a href="/slt/matthew/5.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Neither do they burn a light, and set it under a basket, but upon a chandelier: and it shines to all in the house.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/matthew/5.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but upon a candlestick, that it may shine to all that are in the house. <a href="/cpdv/matthew/5.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And they do not light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, so that it may shine to all who are in the house. <a href="/nabre/matthew/5.htm">New American Bible</a> Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. <a href="/nrsvce/matthew/5.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/matthew/5.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp holder, so it gives light to all who are in the house. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/5.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And they do not light a lamp and set it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all those who are in the house.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/matthew/5.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> neither do men light a lamp and place it under the measure, but on the lamp-stand, and it gives light to all that are in the house. <a href="/godbey/matthew/5.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>Neither do they light a candle, and place it under a bushel, but on the candlestick; and it shineth to all who are in the house.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/matthew/5.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Neither do men burn a lamp, and set it under a bushel, but on its stand; and it sheds light on all that are in the house. <a href="/mace/matthew/5.htm">Mace New Testament</a> and when men light a lamp, they do not put it under a bushel: but on the stand, to give light to all the family. <a href="/wey/matthew/5.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Nor is a lamp lighted to be put under a bushel, but on the lampstand; and then it gives light to all in the house. <a href="/worrell/matthew/5.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>Nor do they light a lamp, and put it under the measure, but on the lamp-stand; and it gives light to all who are in the house.<Fr> <a href="/worsley/matthew/5.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>Nor do <Fr>men<FR> light a candle, to put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick: and then it giveth light to all in the house.<Fr> <a href="/parallel/matthew/5-15.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=910" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/matthew/5.htm">Salt and Light</a> …14You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15<a href="/greek/3761.htm" title="3761: oude (Conj) -- Neither, nor, not even, and not. From ou and de; not however, i.e. Neither, nor, not even.">Neither</a> <a href="/greek/2545.htm" title="2545: kaiousin (V-PIA-3P) -- To ignite, light, burn, lit. and met; I consume with fire. Apparently a primary verb; to set on fire, i.e. Kindle or consume.">do people light</a> <a href="/greek/3088.htm" title="3088: lychnon (N-AMS) -- A lamp. From the base of leukos; a portable lamp or other illuminator.">a lamp</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/5087.htm" title="5087: titheasin (V-PIA-3P) -- To put, place, lay, set, fix, establish. A prolonged form of a primary theo to place.">put</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: auton (PPro-AM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">it</a> <a href="/greek/5259.htm" title="5259: hypo (Prep) -- A primary preposition; under, i.e. of place, or with verbs; of place (underneath) or where (below) or time (when).">under</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3426.htm" title="3426: modion (N-AMS) -- A dry measure, nearly two English gallons. Of Latin origin; a modius, i.e. Certain measure for things dry.">a basket.</a> <a href="/greek/235.htm" title="235: all’ (Conj) -- But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.">Instead,</a> <a href="/greek/1909.htm" title="1909: epi (Prep) -- On, to, against, on the basis of, at. ">they set it on</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3087.htm" title="3087: lychnian (N-AFS) -- A lamp-stand. From luchnos; a lamp-stand.">a stand,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/2989.htm" title="2989: lampei (V-PIA-3S) -- To shine, give light. A primary verb; to beam, i.e. Radiate brilliancy.">it gives light</a> <a href="/greek/3956.htm" title="3956: pasin (Adj-DMP) -- All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.">to everyone</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tois (Art-DMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">in</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tē (Art-DFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/3614.htm" title="3614: oikia (N-DFS) -- From oikos; properly, residence, but usually an abode; by implication, a family.">house.</a> 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/luke/8-16.htm">Luke 8:16</a> No one lights a lamp and covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, he sets it on a stand, so those who enter can see the light. <a href="/mark/4-21.htm">Mark 4:21</a> Jesus also said to them, “Does anyone bring in a lamp to put it under a basket or under a bed? Doesn’t he set it on a stand? <a href="/john/8-12.htm">John 8:12</a> Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.” <a href="/philippians/2-15.htm">Philippians 2:15</a> so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine as lights in the world <a href="/ephesians/5-8.htm">Ephesians 5:8</a> For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light, <a href="/john/1-4.htm">John 1:4-5</a> In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. / The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. <a href="/2_corinthians/4-6.htm">2 Corinthians 4:6</a> For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. <a href="/1_peter/2-9.htm">1 Peter 2:9</a> But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. <a href="/proverbs/4-18.htm">Proverbs 4:18</a> The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday. <a href="/isaiah/60-1.htm">Isaiah 60:1</a> Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. <a href="/isaiah/42-6.htm">Isaiah 42:6</a> “I, the LORD, have called you for a righteous purpose, and I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and appoint you to be a covenant for the people and a light to the nations, <a href="/john/12-46.htm">John 12:46</a> I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in Me should remain in darkness. <a href="/1_john/1-5.htm">1 John 1:5</a> And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you: God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. <a href="/psalms/119-105.htm">Psalm 119:105</a> Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. <a href="/isaiah/49-6.htm">Isaiah 49:6</a> He says: “It is not enough for You to be My Servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the protected ones of Israel. I will also make You a light for the nations, to bring My salvation to the ends of the earth.”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it gives light to all that are in the house.do.<a href="/mark/4-21.htm">Mark 4:21</a> And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?<a href="/luke/8-16.htm">Luke 8:16</a> No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.<a href="/luke/11-33.htm">Luke 11:33</a> 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.a bushel.it giveth.<a href="/exodus/25-37.htm">Exodus 25:37</a> And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it.<a href="/numbers/8-2.htm">Numbers 8:2</a> Speak unto Aaron, and say unto him, When thou lightest the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light over against the candlestick.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/zechariah/5-11.htm">Basket</a> <a href="/zechariah/9-15.htm">Bowl</a> <a href="/malachi/4-1.htm">Burning</a> <a href="/amos/8-5.htm">Bushel</a> <a href="/jeremiah/25-10.htm">Candle</a> <a href="/zechariah/4-11.htm">Candlestick</a> <a href="/matthew/4-17.htm">Close</a> <a href="/malachi/2-13.htm">Gives</a> <a href="/matthew/2-11.htm">House</a> <a href="/matthew/2-22.htm">Instead</a> <a href="/zechariah/4-11.htm">Lampstand</a> <a href="/matthew/5-14.htm">Light</a> <a href="/zechariah/5-10.htm">Measure</a> <a href="/zechariah/5-6.htm">Measuring</a> <a href="/habakkuk/3-4.htm">Rays</a> <a href="/isaiah/62-1.htm">Shines</a> <a href="/proverbs/4-18.htm">Shineth</a> <a href="/matthew/4-5.htm">Stand</a> <a href="/malachi/1-12.htm">Table</a> <a href="/hosea/8-8.htm">Vessel</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/mark/4-21.htm">Basket</a> <a href="/matthew/26-23.htm">Bowl</a> <a href="/matthew/7-19.htm">Burning</a> <a href="/matthew/13-33.htm">Bushel</a> <a href="/mark/4-21.htm">Candle</a> <a href="/mark/4-21.htm">Candlestick</a> <a href="/matthew/6-6.htm">Close</a> <a href="/matthew/5-39.htm">Gives</a> <a href="/matthew/7-24.htm">House</a> <a href="/matthew/10-6.htm">Instead</a> <a href="/luke/8-16.htm">Lampstand</a> <a href="/matthew/5-16.htm">Light</a> <a href="/matthew/6-27.htm">Measure</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/10-12.htm">Measuring</a> <a href="/luke/11-36.htm">Rays</a> <a href="/matthew/24-27.htm">Shines</a> <a href="/matthew/24-27.htm">Shineth</a> <a href="/matthew/6-5.htm">Stand</a> <a href="/matthew/8-11.htm">Table</a> <a href="/mark/4-21.htm">Vessel</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 5</div>1. <a href="/matthew/5-1.htm">Jesus' sermon on the mount:</a> 3. <a href="/matthew/5-3.htm">The Beattitudes;</a> 13. <a href="/matthew/5-13.htm">the salt of the earth;</a> 14. <a href="/matthew/5-14.htm">the light of the world.</a> 17. <a href="/matthew/5-17.htm">He came to fulfill the law.</a> 21. <a href="/matthew/5-21.htm">What it is to kill;</a> 27. <a href="/matthew/5-27.htm">to commit adultery;</a> 33. <a href="/matthew/5-33.htm">to swear.</a> 38. <a href="/matthew/5-38.htm">He exhorts to forgive wrong,</a> 43. <a href="/matthew/5-43.htm">to love our enemies;</a> 48. <a href="/matthew/5-48.htm">and to labor after perfection.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/matthew/5.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div>Neither do people light a lamp The phrase begins with a negation, emphasizing a common-sense truth. The Greek word for "lamp" (λύχνος, lychnos) refers to a small oil lamp used in ancient times. These lamps were essential for daily life, symbolizing guidance and revelation. In a spiritual sense, the lamp represents the light of Christ within believers, illuminating the path of righteousness and truth. Historically, lamps were a vital part of household life, signifying the presence of light in darkness, much like the presence of Christ in a believer's life.and put it under a basket The "basket" (μόδιος, modios) refers to a container used for measuring grain, symbolizing concealment. The act of placing a lamp under a basket is illogical and counterproductive, as it hides the light meant to illuminate. Spiritually, this suggests that believers should not hide their faith or the truth of the Gospel. The historical context of this imagery would resonate with Jesus' audience, who understood the necessity of light in their homes and the futility of hiding it.Instead, they set it on a stand The "stand" (λυχνία, lychnia) is a lampstand, elevating the lamp to maximize its light. This action signifies the intentional display of one's faith and good works. In the context of the early church, this would mean living out one's faith openly and boldly, serving as a witness to others. Theologically, it underscores the responsibility of Christians to be visible examples of Christ's love and truth in the world.and it gives light to everyone in the house The light from the lamp benefits "everyone in the house," symbolizing the far-reaching impact of a believer's witness. The Greek word for "house" (οἰκία, oikia) can also refer to a household or community, suggesting that the influence of a Christian's life extends beyond personal boundaries. Historically, homes were central to community life, and a well-lit home was a place of safety and hospitality. Spiritually, this reflects the call for Christians to be a source of hope and guidance to all around them, embodying the transformative power of the Gospel.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/5.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(15) Light a candle.--The word so rendered was probably a portable lamp rather than a candle in the common meaning of the word. The candles of the seven-branched candlestick of the Temple were undoubtedly lamps supplied with oil, and so probably were the "candles" of household use. The word is not the same, however, as that used for the "lamps" of the Wise and Foolish Virgins (<a href="/matthew/25-1.htm" title="Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened to ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.">Matthew 25:1</a>), and was applied apparently to the cheaper vessels of the poor rather than to those of the wealthy. Wiclif translates it "lantern."The image was drawn from objects familiar to all the hearers, and the presence of the article in the Greek, "under the bushel," "on the candlestick or lamp-stand," implies the familiarity. Each cottage had one such article of furniture. The "bushel" was a Latin measure, nearly the same as the English peck. It adds to the interest of the illustration to remember that as they were commonly of wood, such articles as these must often have been turned out from the carpenter's shop at Nazareth for the use of its neighbours. It should also be remembered that the self-same word had been applied a short time before by our Lord to the Baptist (<a href="/john/5-35.htm" title="He was a burning and a shining light: and you were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.">John 5:35</a>). His disciples were in this way to continue the Baptist's work.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/5.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 15. - Neither do men light a candle, etc. The same illustration comes in <a href="/luke/8-16.htm">Luke 8:16</a> (<a href="/mark/4-21.htm">Mark 4:21</a>), immediately after the parable of the sower, and again in <a href="/luke/11-33.htm">Luke 11:33</a>, immediately after the reference to the repentance of the men of Nineveh at the preaching of Jonah. All four passages have too much verbal similarity to admit of any of them being absolutely independent. <a href="/mark/4-21.htm">Mark 4:21</a> has the greatest number of peculiarities. The two passages in Luke agree very closely with each other, but of the two, <a href="/luke/11-33.htm">Luke 11:33</a> most resembles Matthew. The close agreement here with the context seems to point to this being an original position of the utterance. Of the other two contexts <a href="/luke/11-33.htm">Luke 11:33</a>, if we must choose, seems the more natural. Godet, however, says, "This passage has been placed in the sermon on the mount, like so many others, rather because of the association of ideas than from historical reminiscence" (similarly Weiss). Neither. The inherent position, so to speak, of Christ's disciples, as of a city set on a mountain, is not accidental. It answers to the purpose of their being disciples, as is explained further by the illustration of a lamp. A candle; Revised Version, a lamp (λύχνον); i.e. the flat, saucer-like Eastern lamp, in which sometimes the wick merely floats on the oil A bushel... a candlestick; Revised Version, the bushel... the stand (τὸν μόδιον... τὴν λυχνίαν). Probably rightly, for if the article had been generic (cf. Mishna, 'Sabb.,' 4:2, "One may fill a pitcher [literally, 'the pitcher,' את הקיתון]. and put it under, a [literally, 'the'] pillow, or under a [literally, the] bolster [on the sabbath in order to take the chill off it]," W.H. Lowe, 'Fragment of Pesachim,' 1879, p. 95; cf. also Driver on <a href="/1_samuel/19-13.htm">1 Samuel 19:13</a>) it would have been found also before λύχνον. "The description applies to the common houses of the people. In each there was one principal room, in which they ate and slept; the lampstand, with its single light, the flour-bin, and the bed, with a few seats, were all its furniture" (Cook, in 'Speaker's Commentary,' on <a href="/mark/4-21.htm">Mark 4:21</a> ). A bushel (τὸν μόδιον). This is probably equivalent to the seah (so Peshito), which was "the ordinary measure for domestic purposes," and, as slated in the margins of the Authorized and the Revised Versions on <a href="/matthew/13-33.htm">Matthew 13:33</a>, held "nearly a peck and a half" dry measure. The Latin modius, here used to render scab, itself held nearly a peck. In <a href="/luke/8-16.htm">Luke 8:16</a> the vaguer term δκεῦος is used. "Bushel" is retained in the Revised Version probably because it can be used of the vessel apart from all thought of measure; cf. "The Sense represents the Sun no bigger than a Bushel" (Hale [1677], in Murray's 'Oxford Dictionary'). But on a candlestick; Revised Version, but on the stand (ἐπὶ τὴν λυχνίαν); Vulgate, from Old Latin, Neque accendunt lucernam et possunt cam sub modio sed super candelabrum. Candelabrum (cf. "chandelier") meant a stand for either candles or lamps; hence Wickliffe, translating from the Vulgate, could say, "Ne me[n] teen-dith not a lanterne & puttith it vndir a buyschel: but on a candilstik." We still use "candlestick" in the rarer sense when we speak of the seven-branched "candlestick" of the tabernacle, which was lighted by lamps, not candies (cf. Humphry, on Revised Version, in loc.). It giveth Light; Revised Version, it shineth (λάμπει). The Rheims alone of the older English versions renders" shine," thus showing that the same Greek word is used as in the next verse. The Vulgate (followed by Wickliffe and Rheims) renders it in the subjunctive, ut lucent, possibly originally a copyist's error from the luceat of ver. 16. If so, it was apparently made before the time of Tertullian ('De Prescript.,' § 26). The thought is stir primarily of the light itself being necessarily seen rather than of its benefiting others (φωτίζω, <a href="/luke/11-36.htm">Luke 11:36</a>; cf. <a href="/john/1-9.htm">John 1:9</a>). To all. For in a room none can help noticing it, even though the lamp and the light itself be but small. The negative of this verse is given in Pseudo-Cyprian, 'De Aleat.,' 3, "Monet dominus et dicit: nolite contris tare Spiritum Sanctum, qui in vobis est, et nolite exstinguere lumen, quod in vobis efful sit" (vide Resch, 'Agrapha,' pp. 111, 215). <a href="/commentaries/matthew/5-15.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>Neither οὐδὲ (oude) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_3761.htm">Strong's 3761: </a> Neither, nor, not even, and not. From ou and de; not however, i.e. Neither, nor, not even. do [people] light καίουσιν (kaiousin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2545.htm">Strong's 2545: </a> To ignite, light, burn, lit. and met; I consume with fire. Apparently a primary verb; to set on fire, i.e. Kindle or consume. a lamp λύχνον (lychnon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3088.htm">Strong's 3088: </a> A lamp. From the base of leukos; a portable lamp or other illuminator. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. put τιθέασιν (titheasin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_5087.htm">Strong's 5087: </a> To put, place, lay, set, fix, establish. A prolonged form of a primary theo to place. it αὐτὸν (auton) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. under ὑπὸ (hypo) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_5259.htm">Strong's 5259: </a> A primary preposition; under, i.e. of place, or with verbs; of place (underneath) or where (below) or time (when). a basket. μόδιον (modion) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3426.htm">Strong's 3426: </a> A dry measure, nearly two English gallons. Of Latin origin; a modius, i.e. Certain measure for things dry. Instead, ἀλλ’ (all’) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_235.htm">Strong's 235: </a> But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise. [they set it] on ἐπὶ (epi) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1909.htm">Strong's 1909: </a> On, to, against, on the basis of, at. a lampstand, λυχνίαν (lychnian) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3087.htm">Strong's 3087: </a> A lamp-stand. From luchnos; a lamp-stand. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. it gives light λάμπει (lampei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2989.htm">Strong's 2989: </a> To shine, give light. A primary verb; to beam, i.e. Radiate brilliancy. to everyone πᾶσιν (pasin) Adjective - Dative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3956.htm">Strong's 3956: </a> All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole. in ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. the τῇ (tē) Article - Dative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. house. οἰκίᾳ (oikia) Noun - Dative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3614.htm">Strong's 3614: </a> From oikos; properly, residence, but usually an abode; by implication, a family. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/5-15.htm">Matthew 5:15 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/matthew/5-15.htm">Matthew 5:15 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/matthew/5-15.htm">Matthew 5:15 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/matthew/5-15.htm">Matthew 5:15 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/matthew/5-15.htm">Matthew 5:15 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/5-15.htm">Matthew 5:15 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/5-15.htm">Matthew 5:15 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/5-15.htm">Matthew 5:15 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/5-15.htm">Matthew 5:15 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/matthew/5-15.htm">Matthew 5:15 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/matthew/5-15.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 5:15 Neither do you light a lamp (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/5-14.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 5:14"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 5:14" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/5-16.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 5:16"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 5:16" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>