What Does Luke 8:16 Mean in the King James?
No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The Greek word for “cover” shares its root with “reveal”: light becomes visible as concealment is undone.
THE MEANING
The light at work in your life can be covered by what contains it or tucked beneath what supports you. When it is placed in the open, those entering your space can see by it.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It dissolves the belief that a light fulfills its purpose while hidden: its presence alone does not let those entering see.
THE ROOT
καλύπτει
kalyptei
GROWS FROM
καλυπ-
kalyp-
Cover; conceal.
“covereth” in this verse is kalyptei. The Greek verb for “cover” carries the root also found in ἀποκαλύπτω (apokalyptō, uncover or reveal). Revelation is linguistically framed as the undoing of a covering, so the light becomes visible through openness.
ALSO GROWS
kalyptō: To cover or conceal.
καλύπτω
This is the verb’s underlying form and names the act that blocks the light.
apokalyptō: To uncover or reveal.
ἀποκαλύπτω
The same root appears in the word for revealing, linking visibility with the removal of concealment.
λύχνον
lychnon
GROWS FROM
λυχν-
lychn-
Lamp; the lamp word-family.
“candle” in this verse is lychnon. The Greek word here means “lamp,” and “candlestick” is λυχνία (lychnia, lampstand); both belong to the same lamp-family. The support for the light is named from the lamp’s own word-world, making its placement part of how it becomes visible.
ALSO GROWS
lychnos: Lamp.
λύχνος
This is the lamp translated “candle” in the verse.
lychnia: Lampstand.
λυχνία
The lamp’s related word for its stand shows how the verse joins the light to the place where it can be seen.
THE PATTERN
Illumination reaches others when what is lit is placed in view.
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.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.For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.THE THREAD
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.Matthew repeats λύχνος (lychnos, lamp) and λυχνία (lychnia, lampstand), the same lamp-family behind Luke’s “candle” and “candlestick.” The image widens to everyone in the house: visible light can be shared.
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