Matthew 5:15 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.

NIV: Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.

NASB: nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.

CSB: No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house.

NLT: No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.

Nights could be very dark during the time of Jesus. In fact, to modern eyes living in a time of electricity, the inky nighttime darkness of the ancient world would likely be shocking. On a moonless or overcast night, people would have struggled to see their hand in front of their own eyes. Caves and interiors of large rooms would have been naturally devoid of any light.

Light was available in the form of fire, including oil lamps. As houses grew dark after sunset, lamps would be lit and, if available, distributed around the house. Placement was key. The lamps would be put on a stand in the optimal spot to provide as much light to the room as possible. This is the point of Jesus' comment in this verse: why would anyone light a lamp in the nighttime and then put a basket over it? They would not, Jesus says. The light of lamps is meant to be seen in the same way that the light of Christ is meant to be seen in the world.

By way of analogy, believers in Jesus are the lamps. In fact, they are the only source of true spiritual light, the light of Christ. That light is meant to be seen, so Jesus tells His disciples not to hide it or cover it up for any reason. The following verse is a famous expression of the need for Christian goodness to be visible to the world. Doing the works given by God is how His disciples will distribute His light. Failing to do those good works, then, is like putting a cover over the only lamp in a dark room; hiding the light makes the lamp useless.

Matthew 5:13–20 describes the essential role Jesus' disciples and followers serve on the earth. They are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. These metaphors represent the impact Christians are meant to have in the world. That's why it matters so much that they do the good works God gives them to do. Otherwise, they will stop being useful as salt and light. Instead, they should do those works, allowing their light to shine in the dark world in order that all who see will give glory to God.

The Sermon on the Mount contains some of Jesus' most challenging teaching. It begins with the unlikely blessings of the Beatitudes. Jesus' disciples must do good works in order to be a powerful influence: as the salt of the earth and light of the world. The superficial righteousness of the Pharisees is not good enough to earn heaven. Sins of the heart, such as angry insults and intentional lust, are worthy of hell just as much as adultery and murder. Easy divorce and deceptive oaths are forbidden. Believers should not seek revenge. Instead, God intends us to love our enemies and pray for our persecutors. In short, we should strive to be perfect, as God is perfect.

Matthew 5 follows Matthew's description of the enormous crowds that were following Jesus (Matthew 4:25). One day, Jesus sits down on a hill to teach them, in an address we now call the Sermon on the Mount. He describes as blessed those who are poor in spirit, who mourn, and who are persecuted. Christ also explains how God's standards of righteousness go far beyond behaviors and speech; they also include our thoughts and attitudes. Meeting God's standards means perfection. Chapter 6 continues this sermon, with more examples of Jesus clarifying God's intent for godly living.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.