Matthew 5:15 (KJV)

What does Matthew 5:15 mean?

Matthew 5:15 uses the image of a lamp being placed on a stand, not hidden under a basket, to show that light is meant to be seen and shared with everyone in the house. Jesus is teaching that what is good and true should not be concealed but allowed to shine out for the benefit of all.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to a crowd during his Sermon on the Mount, using everyday objects like lamps and baskets to make his point clear. The message follows his statement that his followers are the "light of the world," encouraging them not to hide their faith or good deeds but to let them be visible, just as a lamp is placed high so its light reaches everyone nearby.

The Greek behind Matthew 5:15

• ἄγγειον (bushel, transliterated as "modios") refers to a container used for measuring grain, about the size of a basket. The image is of something that would cover and block the lamp’s light, not just hide it a little.
• λυχνία (candlestick, transliterated as "lychnia") means a lampstand or stand for a lamp. The idea is that the lamp is put in a prominent place so its light can reach as far as possible.
• οἶκος (house, transliterated as "oikos") means a household or home. The verse emphasizes that the light is meant for everyone present, not just for one person.

Why Matthew 5:15 matters

• Matthew 5:15 clears up the idea that faith or goodness is meant to be private or hidden; instead, Jesus stresses that it should be visible and shared.
• The verse connects directly to the larger teaching about being "the light of the world," showing that the purpose of light is to benefit others, not just oneself.
• Understanding the everyday objects Jesus mentions helps modern readers see how practical and relatable his teaching was to his original audience.