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.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λύχνος
The light
G3088
λύχνος
The light
Strong's:
G3088
Word #:
2 of 30
a portable lamp or other illuminator (literally or figuratively)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σῶμά
body
G4983
σῶμά
body
Strong's:
G4983
Word #:
4 of 30
the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὀφθαλμός
eye
G3788
ὀφθαλμός
eye
Strong's:
G3788
Word #:
7 of 30
the eye (literally or figuratively); by implication, vision; figuratively, envy (from the jealous side-glance)
ὅταν
when
G3752
ὅταν
when
Strong's:
G3752
Word #:
8 of 30
whenever (implying hypothesis or more or less uncertainty); also causatively (conjunctionally) inasmuch as
οὖν
therefore
G3767
οὖν
therefore
Strong's:
G3767
Word #:
9 of 30
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὀφθαλμός
eye
G3788
ὀφθαλμός
eye
Strong's:
G3788
Word #:
11 of 30
the eye (literally or figuratively); by implication, vision; figuratively, envy (from the jealous side-glance)
ἁπλοῦς
single
G573
ἁπλοῦς
single
Strong's:
G573
Word #:
13 of 30
properly, folded together, i.e., single (figuratively, clear)
ᾖ
is
G5600
ᾖ
is
Strong's:
G5600
Word #:
14 of 30
(may, might, can, could, would, should, must, etc.; also with g1487 and its comparative, as well as with other particles) be
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
15 of 30
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὅλον
whole
G3650
ὅλον
whole
Strong's:
G3650
Word #:
16 of 30
"whole" or "all", i.e., complete (in extent, amount, time or degree), especially (neuter) as noun or adverb
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σῶμά
body
G4983
σῶμά
body
Strong's:
G4983
Word #:
18 of 30
the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively
φωτεινόν
full of light
G5460
φωτεινόν
full of light
Strong's:
G5460
Word #:
20 of 30
lustrous, i.e., transparent or well-illuminated (figuratively)
ἐπὰν
when
G1875
ἐπὰν
when
Strong's:
G1875
Word #:
22 of 30
a particle of indefinite contemporaneousness; whenever, as soon as
πονηρὸς
evil
G4190
πονηρὸς
evil
Strong's:
G4190
Word #:
24 of 30
hurtful, i.e., evil (properly, in effect or influence, and thus differing from g2556, which refers rather to essential character, as well as from g455
ᾖ
is
G5600
ᾖ
is
Strong's:
G5600
Word #:
25 of 30
(may, might, can, could, would, should, must, etc.; also with g1487 and its comparative, as well as with other particles) be
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
26 of 30
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
27 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Acts 26:18To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.Psalms 119:18Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.Colossians 3:22Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:Jeremiah 5:21Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not:2 Corinthians 4:4In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.2 Corinthians 11:3But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.Ephesians 1:17That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:Mark 4:12That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.Isaiah 44:18They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand.Mark 8:18Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?
Historical Context
Ancient medical understanding viewed the eye as actively emitting light to perceive objects (emanation theory), though Luke, as a physician, may have known more sophisticated physiology. Regardless, the metaphor works: the eye's condition determines what one sees. Jesus diagnoses the Pharisees' problem not as insufficient evidence but as moral corruption distorting perception.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'evil' desires or attitudes might be corrupting your spiritual perception—envy, lust, greed, pride?
- How can you cultivate a 'single' eye that sees God and his truth clearly without competing loyalties?
- In what areas might you be spiritually blind while convinced you see clearly?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
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 (Ὁ λύχνος τοῦ σώματός ἐστιν ὁ ὀφθαλμός σου. ὅταν οὖν ὁ ὀφθαλμός σου ἁπλοῦς ᾖ, καὶ ὅλον τὸ σῶμα σου φωτεινόν ἐστιν· ἐπὰν δὲ πονηρὸς ᾖ, καὶ τὸ σῶμα σου σκοτεινόν)—Jesus shifts from external illumination (lamp) to internal perception (eye). The eye functions as the body's 'lamp,' mediating external light to internal consciousness. Haplous (single, simple, sound) describes an eye functioning properly, with clarity and focus. A 'single' eye represents undivided spiritual devotion, seeing truth clearly.
An 'evil' eye (ponēros) is diseased, envious, morally corrupted. In Jewish idiom, an 'evil eye' often denoted stinginess or envy (Matthew 20:15). Spiritually: perverted desires corrupt perception, rendering one unable to recognize truth. The Pharisees' covetousness, pride, self-righteousness functioned as spiritual cataracts, blinding them to Messiah despite overwhelming evidence.