What does light mean in the kingdom of God? Does it produce good works? What is its source?
Let’s look into this wonderful parable that is so challenging to us. Which is the purpose of parables–to challenge us. We should see ourselves in them.
Before we begin the exegesis ….
Quick definition of a parable:
Literally, the word parable (parabolē in Greek) combines para– (pronounced pah-rah and means “alongside”) and bolē (pronounced boh-lay and means “put” or even “throw”). Therefore, a parable puts two or more images or ideas alongside each other to produce a new truth. […] The Shorter Lexicon says that the Greek word parabolē can sometimes be translated as “symbol,” “type,” “figure,” and “illustration,” the latter term being virtually synonymous with parable.
For more information, click on this link:
To clarify the definition a little for this context, to say that you are the light of the world means that Jesus was putting together two things: You and light. Somehow, by God’s grace, we let it shine.
The translation is mine. If you would like to see other translations, click here:
If you don’t read Greek, ignore the left column.
I often quote scholars in print because I learn many things from them. They are a community of teachers I respect (1 Cor. 12:28), though I don’t agree with everything they write. But they do ensure I do not go astray. There is safety in numbers (for me at least).
Now let’s begin.
|
Parable of Lamp under a Bowl (Matt. 5:14-16) |
|
| 14 Ὑμεῖς ἐστε τὸ φῶς τοῦ κόσμου. οὐ δύναται πόλις κρυβῆναι ἐπάνω ὄρους κειμένη· 15 οὐδὲ καίουσιν λύχνον καὶ τιθέασιν αὐτὸν ὑπὸ τὸν μόδιον ἀλλ’ ἐπὶ τὴν λυχνίαν, καὶ λάμπει πᾶσιν τοῖς ἐν τῇ οἰκίᾳ. 16 οὕτως λαμψάτω τὸ φῶς ὑμῶν ἔμπροσθεν τῶν ἀνθρώπων, ὅπως ἴδωσιν ὑμῶν τὰ καλὰ ἔργα καὶ δοξάσωσιν τὸν πατέρα ὑμῶν τὸν ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς. | 14 You are the light of the world. A town sitting above, on a mountain, cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do they light a lamp and place it under a container, but on a lampstand, and it shines on everyone in the house. 16 In this way, let your light shine before people, so that they see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven. |
I chose Matthew’s version because it is the fullest.
Here is Mark’s version:
Mark 4 (scroll down to vv. 21-22)
Luke’s:
Luke 8 (scroll down to v. 16)
Luke 11 (scroll down to v. 33)
It is clear that Jesus used this imagery of a lamp under a bowl several times. It was a great illustration of letting one’s light shine and doing good works, so the Father in heaven gets the glory.
Now let’s take things verse by verse:
Comments:
14:
The symbol of light is found everywhere in the OT. It is the opposite of darkness. So the world of nature illustrates God’s ways. There’s a fit and match with his ways and nature, though nature can act unruly. In any case, here is the basic equivalents in the OT between light and darkness. Light speaks of truth over error; knowledge over ignorance; wisdom over foolishness.
Just go to biblegateway.com and search the word light. Amazing hits.
Here are two sample passages:
These verses may be the background to the image of light:
“I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness;
I will take hold of your hand.
I will keep you and will make you
to be a covenant for the people
and a light for the Gentiles,
7 to open eyes that are blind,
to free captives from prison
and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness. (Is. 42:6-7, NIV)
“It is too small a thing for you to be my servant
to restore the tribes of Jacob
and bring back those of Israel I have kept.
I will also make you a light for the Gentiles,
that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” (Is. 49:6, NIV)
While we are the light of the world, we are not the source of the light, but God through Christ is.
Jesus said he was the light of the world (John 8:12). Here he says kingdom citizens are the light of the world. Combining these two verses (despite what NT scholars are reluctant to do, combining John and the Synoptics), Jesus is the light first, and when we are in union with him, when we have entered his kingdom, his light shines through us.
A city sitting on a high place can easily be seen, and when people light their oil lamps, the city can be seen in the dark. Kingdom people are to be like that city set on a hill. His light shining through them is intended to be seen. The city is about community, not an individual. It’s about a collective impact. All of our lights shining together are stronger than your light shining alone.
15:
Now the King states the obvious: people don’t place the lit oil lamp under a container or bowl, but put it on a lampstand, maybe a carveout in a wall or a special place just for the oil lamp. Then it lights up everything and everyone in the house. Straightforward, uncomplicated teaching and insight.
Next, here’s how the kingdom citizen’s light is supposed to shine.
16:
Finally, Jesus brings focus on what the light does or equates to.
Light → good works
The arrow means “leads to.”
Or,
Light = good works.
You choose which equation works best (or both do), but light that does nothing is not light.
Further, good works includes more than just feeding programs (though it certainly includes them); it includes the kingdom in power and healing and demon expulsion. Light upsets the religious guy’s comfortable, sleepy world. It jolts them out of their dogmatic slumber. The purpose of a kingdom citizen’s good works is for observing people to say, “Wow! I like what this guy does! I wonder whether God is in his life! Is he a Jesus follower?”
One does good works for the Father’s honor, not our own honor, to be seen of men (Matthew 6:1).
Everyone Shall Be Judged by Their Works and Words
“people”: it is the Greek noun anthrōpos (pronounced ahn-throw-poss), and even in the plural some interpreters say that it means only “men.” However, throughout Greek literature written before and during the NT, in the plural it means people in general, including womankind (except rare cases). In the singular it can mean person, depending on the context (Matt. 4:4; 10:36; 12:11, 12; 12:43, 45; 15:11, 18). So a “person” or “people” or “men and women” (and so on) is almost always the most accurate translation, despite what more conservative translations say. So I chose “people.”
By God’s grace, our good works should speak for themselves before people.
Grow App for Matt. 5:14-16
A. Light is supposed to produce good works. What good works have you done lately? Where do you start?
SOURCES
Scroll down to the bottom for the bibliography.
Dr. Jim's Essential Bible Teaching 