Matthew 6:23
But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!
Original Language Analysis
ἐὰν
if
G1437
ἐὰν
if
Strong's:
G1437
Word #:
1 of 25
a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὀφθαλμός
eye
G3788
ὀφθαλμός
eye
Strong's:
G3788
Word #:
4 of 25
the eye (literally or figuratively); by implication, vision; figuratively, envy (from the jealous side-glance)
πονηρὸς
evil
G4190
πονηρὸς
evil
Strong's:
G4190
Word #:
6 of 25
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
be
G5600
ᾖ
be
Strong's:
G5600
Word #:
7 of 25
(may, might, can, could, would, should, must, etc.; also with g1487 and its comparative, as well as with other particles) be
ὅλον
whole
G3650
ὅλον
whole
Strong's:
G3650
Word #:
8 of 25
"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 #:
9 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σῶμά
body
G4983
σῶμά
body
Strong's:
G4983
Word #:
10 of 25
the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively
οὖν
therefore
G3767
οὖν
therefore
Strong's:
G3767
Word #:
15 of 25
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
φῶς
the light
G5457
φῶς
the light
Strong's:
G5457
Word #:
17 of 25
luminousness (in the widest application, natural or artificial, abstract or concrete, literal or figurative)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σκότος
be darkness
G4655
σκότος
be darkness
Strong's:
G4655
Word #:
21 of 25
shadiness, i.e., obscurity (literally or figuratively)
ἐστίν,
that is
G2076
ἐστίν,
that is
Strong's:
G2076
Word #:
22 of 25
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
23 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Matthew 6:22The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.1 John 2:11But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.Proverbs 26:12Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.Jeremiah 4:22For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.Ephesians 4:18Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:Romans 1:22Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,1 Corinthians 2:14But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.Isaiah 8:20To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.Ephesians 5:8For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:Luke 8:10And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.
Historical Context
Hebrew and Greek idioms used 'evil eye' to denote stinginess and envy (Proverbs 23:6, 28:22). In context, Jesus warns against covetousness and divided heart between God and money. Spiritual blindness convinced of its own sight is most dangerous form of darkness.
Questions for Reflection
- How can you recognize when your spiritual perception has been darkened by wrong priorities or divided loyalties?
- What does the phrase 'how great is that darkness' teach about the danger of self-deception in spiritual matters?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
An 'evil eye' represents distorted spiritual perception—covetousness, envy, stinginess, or divided loyalty—resulting in darkness pervading the whole life. The sobering warning 'if therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!' indicates that corrupted spiritual understanding leads to deepest delusion. Those who think they see but are actually blind are in worst spiritual condition. This anticipates Jesus' condemnation of Pharisees who claimed sight but were blind guides (Matthew 23:16-24).