Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 5:15
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.
15. a bushel ] Rather, the bushel, i. e. the common measure found in every Jewish house. Strictly speaking, the modius, translated “bushel,” denoted a smaller measure equal to about two gallons.
candle candlestick ] Or rather, lamp lampstand. The lamp in a Jewish house was not set on a table, but on a tall pedestal or stand, sometimes made with a sliding shaft.
all that are in the house ] i. e. the Jews. St Luke, true to the character of his gospel, says “that they which enter in,” i. e. the Gentiles, “may see the light.”
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Neither do men light a candle … – The word rendered candle means any portable light, as a lamp, candle, lantern. Compare Mar 4:21; Luk 8:16; Luk 12:35. Jesus proceeded here to show them that the very reason why they were enlightened was that others might also see the light, and be benefited by it. When people light a candle, they do not conceal the light, but place it where it may be of use. So it is with religion. It is given that we may benefit others. It is not to be concealed, but suffered to show itself, and to shed light on a surrounding wicked world.
A bushel – Greek, a measure containing nearly a peck. It denotes anything, here, that might conceal the light.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 15. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel] A bushel : – a measure both among the Greeks and Romans, containing a little more than a peck English. From some ancient writers we learn, that only those who had bad designs hid a candle under a bushel; that, in the dead of the night, when all were asleep, they might rise up, and have light at hand to help them to effect their horrid purposes of murder, &c. See Wetstein, Kypke, Wolf, &c.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
You ought also to consider the end why I have communicated of my light unto you; it is in part the same with that of men: when they light up a candle in a room, which is to show light to all those that are in the room, they do not use to light it up to hide it under a vessel, or a bushel; so I have not communicated my truths or my grace unto you merely for your own use, but for others use. It is said of John, (by our Saviour), he was a burning and shining light: so is every true minister of the gospel, yea, and every true Christian; not only a burning light, burning with love to God, and zeal for God, and love to and zeal for the souls of others; but also a shining light, communicating his light to others, both by instruction and a holy conversation. Others pretended candles were never of Gods lighting.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
15. Neither do men light acandleor, lamp.
and put it under a busheladry measure.
but on a candlestickrather,”under the bushel, but on the lampstand.” The article isinserted in both cases to express the familiarity of everyone withthose household utensils.
and it giveth lightshineth”unto all that are in the house.”
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Neither do men light a candle,…. Which may be read impersonally, “a candle is not lighted”: and by it may be meant the Gospel, and gifts qualifying men to preach it; which, like a candle, was lighted in the evening of the Jewish dispensation, though not confined to the land of Judea; but has shone throughout the world, being as a candle to be removed, and has been removed from place to place: wherever it is set, it gives light, more or less, and dispels darkness; it is useful both to work by and walk with; it does not always burn alike clearly, it needs looking after; it has its thieves, as candles sometimes have; and will give the greatest light towards the close of the world, as they usually do, when ready to go out. Now when a candle is lighted by men, they do not
put it under a bushel, or anything which may hide and cover it, and so hinder its light and usefulness. The Greek word , rendered a “bushel”, answers to the Hebrew , “seah”, which is the very word used in Munster’s Hebrew Gospel; and this was a dry measure that held about a gallon and a half; and accordingly is rendered here by the Syriac . The design of the expression is, that Christ has lighted the candle of the everlasting Gospel, and given gifts to men for the ministration of it, not to be concealed and neglected, or to be used as the servant did his lord’s money, wrap it up in a napkin, and hide it in the earth. Ministers are not, through slothfulness, to neglect the gift that is in them; nor, through fear, to hide their talents, or keep back any part of the Gospel, or cover anything out of sight, which may be profitable to souls: “but” men, when they light a candle, put it
on a candlestick, and it giveth light to all that are in the house; as on the candlestick in the temple, a type of the church; where Christ has set the light of the Gospel, where it is held forth particularly by the ministers of the word, to illuminate the whole house and family of God; by the light of which poor sinners, the lost pieces of silver, are looked up; straggling souls are brought home; hypocrites and formalists are detected; and saints are enlightened, directed, and comforted. Much such a proverbial saying is used by the Jews r:
“do not leave a vessel of balsam in a dunghill, but move it from its place, that its smell may spread, and men may receive profit from it.”
r Vid. Joh. Isaac. Praefat. ad Eliae Levit. Methurgeman.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Under the bushel ( ). Not a bushel. “The figure is taken from lowly cottage life. There was a projecting stone in the wall on which the lamp was set. The house consisted of a single room, so that the tiny light sufficed for all” (Bruce). It was not put under the bushel (the only one in the room) save to put it out or to hide it. The bushel was an earthenware grain measure. “
The stand ” ( ), not “candlestick.” It is “lamp-stand” in each of the twelve examples in the Bible. There was the one lamp-stand for the single room.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
A bushel [ ] . Rev., rightly, “the bushel;” since the definite article is designed to indicate a familiar object – the grain – measure which is found in every house.
A candlestick [ ] . Rev., the stand. Also a part of the furniture of every house, and commonly but one in the house : hence the article. The word, which occurs four times in the Gospels and eight times elsewhere, means, in every case, not a candlestick, but a lamp – stand. In Heb 9:2, the golden “candlestick” of the tabernacle is called lucnia; but in the description of this article (Exo 25:31, 39), we read, “Thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof;” and in Zec 4:2, where the imagery is drawn from the sanctuary, we have a “candlestick” with a bowl on the top of it, “and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes (for the oil) to the lamps which are upon the top thereof.”
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “Neither do men light a candle,” (oude kaiousin luchnon) “Nor do men light a lamp,” except for some useful purpose or intent.
2) “And put it under a bushel,” (kai titheasin auton hupo ton modin) “And (then) set it under a bushel container,” perhaps indicating that children of God should not let their light or influence be smothered out or darkened by commercialism, in business matters, suggested by the bushel, or standard of measure, Joh 2:15-17; Rom 12:1-2.
3) “But on a candlestick;” (all’ epi ten luchnian) “But they set it upon the lampstand,” for useful purposes, to serve the master and the house; The idea is that those who are saved, who have the light of life, should voluntarily place its position of light reflection or diffusion, upon the candlestick, the church, Rev 1:20.
4) “And it giveth light unwell that are in the house.” (kai lampei pasin tois en te oikia) “And it lightens or makes light available to all who are in the house or residence;” It shares light in the designed place of livelihood and fellowship, in the house that Jesus built, which is better than the house that Moses built, Heb 3:1.7; 1Ti 8:15; Eph 2:10: Though one may be saved outside the church, the greatest degree of glory, in this age, may be given to him in the church, here described as or alluded to by terms “salt of the earth,” and “light of the world;” Eph 3:31.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(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 (Mat. 25:1), 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 carpenters 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 (Joh. 5:35). His disciples were in this way to continue the Baptists work.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
15. Light a candle Or lamp. Candlestick Or lampstand. House The world, or circle of your acquaintance. The Christian should, like a lamp, shed divine light upon all in reach.
Neither do men light a candle Men light candles; God has lighted you for his candles to the world. Men are not so foolish as to light a candle to be covered up, so God is not so unwise as to light you for concealment. You are lighted that you may illuminate. A bushel In Greek the bushel, with the definite article, to indicate that he refers to a measure ordinarily in use. It was the modius, a measure really containing about a peck.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Mat 5:15-16. Neither do men light a candle, &c. This seems to be a proverbial expression. See the application that Christ makes of it on another occasion; Mar 4:21. Luk 8:16; Luk 11:33. They formerly used lamps only, instead of candles, and the candlestick was the foot on which they were set up. The meaning of this comparison is the same with that foregoing. The disciples and Christians, being the lights of the world, were designed to light men out of the ways of ignorance and vice to Jesus Christ, and, through him, into the paths of holiness and virtue. “Men do not so much as light a common lamp, to put it under a bushel, and conceal it there; but they set it on a stand, to give light to all who are in the house. How much less will it become you, whom I have compared to the sun, to hide or suppress your rays? The knowledge of divine things is given you, not to be concealed, but to be imparted to mankind around you; therefore, Mat 5:16 let your light,” &c. That is, “Make your doctrine and example bright in the eyes of all who behold you; that they may honour God; first, by acting up to the precepts of the Gospel, strongly impressed on their understandings by your penetrating sermons, accompanied by divine grace, and powerfully recommended to their hearts by your exemplary lives; next, by their returning thanks to God for sending such men to enlighten and reform the world; for to glorify God is not only to praise him (as Luk 2:20 and elsewhere), but also to acknowledge the truth of the Gospel.” See Luk 23:47. 1Pe 2:12. The Greek for in heaven is plural;(in the heavens), for the Jews reckoned three heavens, the air, the firmament, and the third heaven, or the heaven of heavens, the usual place of God’s residence. See Macknight, Beausobre and Lenfant, and Pierce’s fourth dissertation. Heylin observes, in nearly these words, That the beatitudes, containing the principal articles of Christian holiness and morality, were as so many texts for the apostles to preach upon, and allure men to the practice of them, by shewing them the happiness which would ensue: but the generality of the world so little know the way to true happiness, that they scorn and abuse those who propose it to them; like men inaphrensy,who spurn the offered medicine, and assault those who would administer it. Our Lord, who foreknew this, forewarned his disciples of it: and lest such ingratitude and ill usage should make them desist from their high office, and not persevere in their endeavours to do good to others, at the hazard of such indignities and calumnies and dangers to themselves, he encourages them with the assurances of the great reward with which their patience would be crowned. He animates their zeal (Mat 5:12.) by the example of the glorious company of the prophets their predecessors, who had faithfully persisted in publishing the truth, and doing good to mankind, notwithstanding the grievous persecution which thereby they drew upon themselves. And, further to engage his apostles to tread in their steps, our Lord represents to them, that this is their bounden duty, the great work to which they were divinely ordained, and for which they were especially qualified by supernatural abilities; and that as their reward would be great, if they rightly discharged their ministry, so their punishment would be proportionable, if they neglected it. “Ye are the salt of the earth, and your destined office, under my grace, is, to preserve from corruption of heart and manners; but if the salt become insipid,” &c. Their especial duty was, to teach others their duty; but if they flinched from it, through fear of persecution, or any other motive, they would be lost irrecoverably, and sink in perdition beneath the rest of mankind, as much as by their sacred office they were placed above them. He goes on, therefore, with repeated allusions to remind them of their high station: “Ye are the light of the world, exposed to public view; a light which should illuminate all around, and in which every the least eclipse will be visible, and of bad influence.” They were to be a pattern to others: they were to recommend their doctrine by their example, and to shew how amiable holiness and virtue are in their own practice. Let your light so shine, &c. See his Lectures, p. 75. Dr. Campbell renders the first clause, Thus let your light, &c.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Mat 5:15 . ] Fulgentius, Mat 3:6 : “ lucernamque modio contegit .” The article denotes the grain measure that is at hand in the house . On , comp. Plut. Demetr . 33. It was one-sixth of the , the , according to Boeckh, 2602 Paris cubic inches [nearly 12 gallons English]. What Hebrew measure did Jesus mention? most probably , as in Mar 13:33 .
The is the consecutivum: and, and thus, that is, placed upon the candlestick; comp. Mat 4:19 ; Maetzner, ad Lycurgum, p. 253. On the lamps which were in domestic use, and the candlesticks upon which they were placed, see as regards the Greeks, Hermann, Privatalterth. Mat 20:23 ; Becker, Charikl. II. p. 214 ff.; as to the Greek expression , Lobeck, ad Phryn. p. 313.
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
15 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.
Ver. 15. Neither do men light a candle to put it under a bushel, &c. ] Nor doth God set up a minister, and so light a link or torch, as the word here signifieth, among a people, but for the disusing of the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, 2Co 4:6 . The heavenly bodies enlighten not their own orbs only, but send forth their beams far and near. The grace of God (that is, the doctrine of grace) that bringeth salvation hath appeared, or shone forth, as a candle on a candlestick; or as a beacon on a hill, teaching us to deny ungodliness, &c. ( ), Tit 2:11-12 . Dicuntur quae repente conspectaculos omnium in se convertunt. (Chrysost. in 2 Tim.) The priest’s lips must not only preserve knowledge, but also present it to the people, who shall seek it at his mouth. And John Baptist (that burning and shining light) was to give the knowledge of salvation, not by way of infusion, for so God only, but by way of instruction, Luk 1:77 . The same word, in the holy tongue, that signifieth to understand, signifieth also to instruct and to prosper, they that teach others what they know themselves (as Abraham did those of his familiarity and family) shall know more of God’s mind, yea, they shall be, as Abraham was, both of his court and council, Gen 18:19 . But the Lord likes not such empty vines as (with Ephraim) bear fruit to themselves, Hos 10:1 ; such idle servants as thrust their hands into their bosoms, dig their talents into the earth, hide their candles under a bed or bushel; living and lording it as if their lips were their own; barrelling and hoarding up their gifts, as rich cormorants do their grain; refusing to give down their milk, as curst kine; or resolving to speak no more than what may breed applause and admiration of their worth and wisdom, as proud self-seekers. The manifestation of the spirit was given to profit also; and the Philippians were all partakers, or compartners of St Paul’s grace; which he elsewhere calleth the gift bestowed on us, for many, that we may serve one another in love; yea, make ourselves servants to all, that we may edify some, 1Co 12:7 ; ( ), Phi 1:7 , 2Co 1:11 ; Gal 5:13 ; 1Co 9:19 . Certainly the gifts of such shall not perish in the use, or be the worse for wearing, but the better and brighter; as the torch by tapping; they shall grow in their hands, as the loaves in our Saviour’s, as the widow’s oil, as that great mountain of salt in Spain, de quo quantum demas, tantum accrescit, which the more you take from it, the more it increaseth; or, lastly, as the fountains or wells, which, by much drawing, are made better and sweeter, as St Basil observeth, and common experience confirmeth. , , . Epist. 81.
And it giveth light to all that are in the house ] He that alloweth his servants a great candle, or two or three lesser lights, looks for more work. God sets up his ministers, as candles on the candlestick of his Church, to waste themselves, wax and wick, for the lighting of men into life eternal. Let them therefore see to it, that they work hard while the light lasteth, lest their candlestick be removed, lest the night surprise them on the sudden, when none can work, Rev 2:5 ; Joh 9:4-5 ; lest they pay dear for those precious graces of his Spirit, in his faithful ministers, spent, or rather spilt upon them; lest God cause the sun to go down at noon, and darken the earth in the clear day, Amo 8:9 .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
15. ] A Latin word (the art. is by many supposed to express that the is a vessel usually found in the house: but it is rather to be regarded as the sign of the generic singular , as in , ch. Mat 15:20 ) called by the more general name , Luk 8:16 .
, i.e. men in general: shewing, in the spiritual reference of the parable, that these lights of the world are ‘ lighted ’ by Him for whose use they are. See above.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Mat 5:15 . A parabolic word pointing out that such a policy in the natural sphere is unheard of and absurd. , to kindle, accendere , ordinarily neuter = urere ; not as Beza thought, a Hebraism; examples occur in late Greek authors ( vide Kypke, Obser. Sac. ). The figure is taken from lowly cottage life. There was a projecting stone in the wall on which the lamp was set. The house consisted of a single room, so that the tiny light sufficed for all. It might now and then be placed under the modius , an earthenware grain measure, or under the bed (Mar 4:21 ), high to keep clear of serpents, therefore without danger of setting it on fire (Koetsveld, De Gelijkenissen , p. 305). But that would be the exception, not the rule done occasionally for special reasons, perhaps during the hours of sleep. Schanz says the lamp burned all night, and that when they wanted darkness they put it on the floor and covered it with the “bushel”. Tholuck also thinks people might cover the light when they wished to keep it burning, when they had occasion to leave the room for a time. Weiss, on the other hand, thinks it would be put under a cover only when they wished to put it out (Matt.-Evan., p. 144). But was it ever put out? Not so, according to Benzinger (Heb. Arch., p. 124).
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
Neither = and not (Greek. ou). App-105.
candle = lamp. Greek. luchcnos.
a bushel = the measure. Greek. modion = a dry measure: i.e. any measure there may happen to be in the house.
on = upon. Greek. epi.
a candlestick = the lampstand. Greek. luchnia. App-130.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
15. ] A Latin word (the art. is by many supposed to express that the is a vessel usually found in the house: but it is rather to be regarded as the sign of the generic singular, as in , ch. Mat 15:20)-called by the more general name , Luk 8:16.
, i.e. men in general: shewing, in the spiritual reference of the parable, that these lights of the world are lighted by Him for whose use they are. See above.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Mat 5:15. , do they light) Impersonal. , those who light must be understood, cf. Mat 7:16.-, under) i.e. behind. In Luk 8:16, we find , underneath.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
do: Mar 4:21, Luk 8:16, Luk 11:33
a bushel: “A measure containing about a pint less than a peck.”
it giveth: Exo 25:37, Num 8:2
Reciprocal: Exo 35:14 – candlestick Exo 37:17 – the candlestick of Rev 1:20 – and the
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
5:15
It is possible for a strong light to be rendered useless, which would be done if a man lighted a lamp and then put some vessel over it. But men do not do such things in temporal matters; only in spiritual things do they act thus foolishly.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Mat 5:15. A candle, or lamp.
The bushel. The ordinary household measure, holding about a peck. Under this the light could be hid.
But on the candlestick, or lampstand; its proper place, an elevated holder or stand, so that its light might be diffused as widely as possible.
It shineth. Giveth light, implies that a certain effect is necessarily produced, but the lamp only shines, its light may be rejected.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Verse 15
Light a candle, &c. The idea is, that as men do not light a candle to conceal its light, but that it may shine around, so Jesus kindles the light of truth in the hearts of the disciples, not that it may be concealed there, but that it may be used to enlighten and benefit mankind.