Bible Study series: Luke 8:16-18. Let the light shine, and be careful how you listen.
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In the next link to the original chapter, I comment more and offer the Greek text. At the bottom you will find a “Summary and Conclusion” section geared toward discipleship. Check it out!
In this post, links are provided for further study.
Let’s begin.
Scripture: Luke 8:16-18
16 No one lighting a lamp hides it under a container or places it under a bed, but puts it on a lampstand, so those who come in may see the light. 17 For there is no hidden thing which shall not be manifest, neither a secret thing which shall not be known and come into the open.
18 Pay attention therefore how you hear. For whoever has, it shall be given him; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he “has” shall be taken from him. (Luke 8:16-18)
Comments:
This is a short parable. Please see v. 4 for a working definition of a parable.
Luke 11:16-18 relate to this passage:
33 “No one lights a lamp and places it in a hidden place or under a basket, but upon a lampstand, so that everyone who comes in may see the light. 34 The lamp of the body is your eye. When your eye is healthy, the whole body is also light. When it is evil, your body is dark. 35 Watch therefore that the ‘light’ which is in you is not dark. 36 Therefore, if your whole body is light, not having any part of darkness, it shall be completely light, as when a lamp shines brightly on you.” (Luke 11:33-36)
16:
This style of illustration is designed to startle the reader with the obvious truths—no one does those absurd things. We must use objects for their right purpose. Jesus often used startling images to wake up his listeners.
In our case, redeemed humanity who has come to the light lets it shine out for those who have not seen the light. How? Just talking? That may be the last method to shine the light. In the day of social media, writing comments is a dime a dozen. Anyone can blurt. It is best to earn the right to be heard or read. You earn the right by being consistent in your deeds and (few) words. Do good to people. Then when they trust you, you can share your faith. They may even ask you why you are so friendly and caring. Then it’s your turn to speak.
17:
Beware that your good deeds and your bad deeds will be made manifest. There are two sides of life—your public self and your private self. (Some add a third side, a secret self). If they do not match up, your private self will eventually be made known. If your private self is unfriendly and unkind, then that will be advertised for the public. They won’t like what they see. Then whatever good and honored reputation you thought you had will be taken from you. Appearances can be deceiving to you. You thought one way (all good), but then reality clobbered you over the head. People saw the real you. On the positive side, if your private self and public self match up, and both are virtuous, then your private self will be made manifest, and what every you have—you will be given more. You have developed a good and virtuous private life, and you shall receive more of it.
“be known”: The verb is ginōskō, and see v. 10 for more comments.
18:
“Pay attention”: it could be translated as “watch!” or “watch out!” It is the standard verb for seeing (compare v. 10). But then it says “how you hear.” I thought it would be clever to translate it “watch how you hear!” A seeing verb and a hearing verb! But I looked at other translations, and I got scared off. I went with “pay attention!” But maybe Jesus wanted the seeing and hearing combination. You can decide which is best.
The more you have of the light, he will give you even more of the light; then your light will shine. The less you have of the light, even what you think you have (a phrase omitted in Matt. 13:11) will dim or diminish. So be careful! Pay attention! Ask God for more light.
GrowApp for Luke 8:16-18
1. Has your private self ever been exposed? How did you respond?
2. How has God worked in you so that your light shines to bless people?
RELATED
11. Eyewitness Testimony in Luke’s Gospel
3. Church Fathers and Luke’s Gospel
2. Archaeology and the Synoptic Gospels
1. The Historical Reliability of the Gospels: Introduction to Series
SOURCES
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