11:33-36 What is the name given to this teaching?
11:33-36 What is the name given to this teaching?
This is called the parable of the lighted candle, which is also recorded in Mt 5, Mk 4 and Lk 8, only in slightly different versions (cp Mt 5:14-16; Mk 4:21-23; Lk 8:16-18).
While the subject matter in these versions varies slightly from Lk 11:33-36, the core teaching is the same - that of letting our light shine, and of being free from all evil and darkness. (cp also Mt 6:22-23).
The light or lamp of the body is the eye. It is used both here and in Lu 11:33-36 in a moral sense. If the eye is single and sound morally and free from any lusts, the whole body will be free from sin and morally sound and perfect. Light and darkness are used in Scripture to contrast righteousness and sin - Spiritual light and Spiritual darkness (cp Mt 4:16; Lu 1:79; Jn 1:5; 3:19; 8:12; 12:35, 46; 1Jn 1:5-7; 2:8-11).
If the eyes are full of adultery and lusts the body will be in darkness (cp Mk 7:14-23; Ro 1:18-32; 1Cor 6:9-10; Ga 5:19-21). It is our responsibility to make the body full of light (cp Ro 6:1-23; 8:1-13; 12:1-2; 1Cor 6:19-20; 9:24-27; 2Cor 4:10; 7:1; Ga 5:16-18; Eph 1:4; 1Th 4:3-7; Tit 2:11-14).
If Christians make their eyes morally sound the whole body will be sinless as well as the soul and spirit (cp Lk 11:35-36; Ga 5:22-26; 2Pe 1:4-10; 1Jn 2:15-17; Rev 3:17-18). See also comments on Mt 5:13-16, 13:12; Mk 4:21-25; Ro 6:1, 6:3-5, 6:6-11, 6:12-14, 6:15, 6:16, 6:17-20, 6:21-23