Show Bible Commentary For A Bible Verse

Click here to show/hide instructions.

Selected Verse: Matthew 5:15 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Mt 5:15	Strong Concordance	Neither [3761] do men light [2545] a candle [3088], and [2532] put [5087] it [846] under [5259] a bushel [3426], but [235] on [1909] a candlestick [3087]; and [2532] it giveth light [2989] unto all [3956] that are in [1722] the house [3614].
	King James	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.

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

Open All | Close All Open All | Close All

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
Neither do men light a candle--or, lamp. and put it under a bushel--a dry measure. but on a candlestick--rather, "under the bushel, but on the lampstand." The article is inserted in both cases to express the familiarity of everyone with those household utensils. and it giveth light--shineth "unto all that are in the house."

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

Neither do men light a candle--or, lamp.

and put it under a bushel--a dry measure.

but on a candlestick--rather, "under the bushel, but on the lampstand." The article is inserted in both cases to express the familiarity of everyone with those household utensils.

and it giveth light--shineth "unto all that are in the house."

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
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.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

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.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
A bushel (τὸν μόδιον) 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 (τὴν λυχνίαν) 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 ease, not a candlestick, but a lamp-stand. In Heb 9:2, the golden "candlestick" of the tabernacle is called λυχνία; but in the description of this article (Exo 25:31, Exo 25:39), we read, "Thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof;" and in Zac 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."

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]

A bushel (τὸν μόδιον)

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 (τὴν λυχνίαν)

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 ease, not a candlestick, but a lamp-stand. In Heb 9:2, the golden "candlestick" of the tabernacle is called λυχνία; but in the description of this article (Exo 25:31, Exo 25:39), we read, "Thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof;" and in Zac 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."

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
Nay, the very design of God in giving you this light was, that it might shine. Mar 4:21; Luk 8:16; Luk 11:33.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]

Nay, the very design of God in giving you this light was, that it might shine. Mar 4:21; Luk 8:16; Luk 11:33.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel - A bushel μοδιος: - 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, etc. See Wetstein, Kypke, Wolf, etc.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826

Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel - A bushel μοδιος: - 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, etc. See Wetstein, Kypke, Wolf, etc.

Top