Clarke's Bible Commentary - Luke 11:33
Verse 33. No man, when he hath lighted, &c.] See on Matthew v. 15. Our Lord intimates, that if he worked a miracle among such an obstinate people, who were determined to disbelieve every evidence of his Messiahship, he should act as a man who lighted a candle and then covered it with a bushel, which must prevent the accomplishment of the end for which it was lighted. See also on Mark iv. 21, &c.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 33. No man when he hath lighted a candle , etc.] These words are often repeated by Christ on different occasions, (see Gill on Matthew 5:15) and (see Gill on Luke 8:16) and here seem to design the free, open, and clear ministry of Christ, who excelled Solomon in wisdom, and Jonas in powerful preaching. It being as a candle, which, when lighted, no man putteth in a secret place ; as under a bed, ( Mark 4:21) where it cannot be seen, and its light be of any use: neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come may see the light ; intimating, that Christ and his disciples did not preach in corners, or in private houses, and secret places, but in the streets of the city, and in the temples and synagogues, the public places of worship: and therefore the Jews were the more inexcusable, that they did not attend to the ministry of the word; and this would be their condemnation, that light was come among them, and they preferred darkness to it, ( John 3:19).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 29-36 - Christ promised that there should be one sign more given, even the sig of Jonah the prophet; which in Matthew is explained, as meaning the resurrection of Christ; and he warned them to improve this sign. But though Christ himself were the constant preacher in any congregation and worked miracles daily among them, yet unless his grace humble their hearts, they would not profit by his word. Let us not desire mor evidence and fuller teaching than the Lord is pleased to afford us. We should pray without ceasing that our hearts and understandings may be opened, that we may profit by the light we enjoy. And especially tak heed that the light which is in us be not darkness; for if our leadin principles be wrong, our judgment and practice must become more so.
Greek Textus Receptus
ουδεις 3762 A-NSM δε 1161 CONJ λυχνον 3088 N-ASF αψας 681 5660 V-AAP-NSM εις 1519 PREP κρυπτον 2927 A-ASN τιθησιν 5087 5719 V-PAI-3S ουδε 3761 ADV υπο 5259 PREP τον 3588 T-ASM μοδιον 3426 N-ASM αλλ 235 CONJ επι 1909 PREP την 3588 T-ASF λυχνιαν 3087 N-ASF ινα 2443 CONJ οι 3588 T-NPM εισπορευομενοι 1531 5740 V-PNP-NPM το 3588 T-ASN φεγγος 5338 N-ASN βλεπωσιν 991 5725 V-PAS-3P
Vincent's NT Word Studies
33. Candle. Properly, lamp.Secret place (krupthn). Rather, a cellar or crypt. which latter is the Greek word transcribed.
The bushel. See on Matt. v. 15.
Candlestick. Properly stand. See on Matt. v. 15.
Which enter in (eisporeuomenoi). Better with the continuous force of the present participle, are entering in from time to time.
Light (feggov). The word occurs in only two other places: Matthew xxiv. 29; Mark xiii. 24, on which see notes.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
11:33 {In a cellar} (eis krupten). A crypt (same word) or hidden place from kruptw, to hide. Late and rare word and here only in the N.T. These other words (lamp, lucnon, bushel, modion, stand, luchnian) have all been discussed previously (#Mt 5:15). #Lu 11:33 is like #Mt 6:22f., which see for details.
