Luke 8:16

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
Οὐδεὶς
No man
not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing
#2
δὲ
but, and, etc
#3
λύχνον
a candle
a portable lamp or other illuminator (literally or figuratively)
#4
ἅψας
when he hath lighted
properly, to fasten to, i.e., (specially) to set on fire
#5
καλύπτει
covereth
to cover up (literally or figuratively)
#6
αὐτὸν
it
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
#7
σκεύει
with a vessel
a vessel, implement, equipment or apparatus (literally or figuratively (specially, a wife as contributing to the usefulness of the husband))
#8
or
disjunctive, or; comparative, than
#9
ὑποκάτω
it under
down under, i.e., beneath
#10
κλίνης
a bed
a couch (for sleep, sickness, sitting or eating)
#11
τίθησιν
putteth
to place (in the widest application, literally and figuratively; properly, in a passive or horizontal posture, and thus different from g2476, which pr
#12
ἀλλ'
but
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
#13
ἐπὶ
it on
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
#14
λυχνίας
a candlestick
a lamp-stand (literally or figuratively)
#15
ἐπιτίθησιν,
setteth
to impose (in a friendly or hostile sense)
#16
ἵνα
that
in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)
#17
οἱ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#18
εἰσπορευόμενοι
they which enter in
to enter (literally or figuratively)
#19
βλέπωσιν
may see
to look at (literally or figuratively)
#20
τὸ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#21
φῶς
the light
luminousness (in the widest application, natural or artificial, abstract or concrete, literal or figurative)

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Luke. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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