Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
When he hath lighted a lamp (luxnon ayav). It is a portable lamp (luxnon) that one lights (ayav aorist active participle of aptw, to kindle, fasten to, light).
With a vessel (skeuei, instrumental case of skeuov). Here Mark 4:21 has the more definite figure "under the bushel" as has Matthew 5:15.
Under the bed (upokatw klinhv). Here Mark 4:21 has the regular upo thn klinhn instead of the late compound upokatw. Ragg notes that Matthew distributes the sayings of Jesus given here by Luke 8:16-18; Mark 4:21-25 concerning the parable of the lamp and gives them in three separate places (Matthew 5:15; Matthew 10:26; Matthew 13:12). That is true, but it does not follow that Mark and Luke have bunched together separate sayings or that Matthew has scattered sayings delivered only on one occasion. One of the slowest lessons for some critics to learn is that Jesus repeated favourite sayings on different occasions and in different groupings just as every popular preacher and teacher does today. See on Mark 4:21 for further discussion of the lamp and stand.
May see the light (Blepwsin to fwv). In Matthew 5:16 Jesus has it "may see your good works." The purpose of light is to let one see something else, not the light. Note present subjunctive (blepwsin), linear action "Jesus had kindled a light within them. They must not hide it, but must see that it spreads to others" (Plummer). The parable of the lamp throws light on the parable of the sower.
Other commentary entries containing this verse:
Matthew 13:3
Mark 4:2
Mark 9:37
Luke 8:4
Luke 8:4
Luke 8:16
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