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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The point isn't just about not hiding your light; it's about understanding that the lamp itself was a common household item placed on a stand precisely because its purpose was to illuminate the entire space. Jesus is highlighting that the very nature and design of His followers' spiritual light is to be fully visible and beneficial to everyone in their shared "house"—which is the world.
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is continuing his Sermon on the Mount, teaching his followers how their lives should reflect their new identity in God's kingdom. Following his call for them to be "salt of the earth" to preserve and add flavor to the world, he now describes them as "light" that cannot be hidden. This metaphor of a lamp on a stand illustrates that their divine calling is inherently visible and meant to illuminate the darkness around them.
Why would anyone light a lamp only to hide its light? This verse uses a vivid image to explain why followers of Jesus are meant to be seen.
Jesus uses a common, everyday object – a lamp – to illustrate a profound truth about His followers. When a lamp is lit, its entire purpose is to illuminate.
This isn't just about physical light; it's a metaphor for the spiritual light Jesus brings and the light He gives to His disciples. They are not meant to keep this divine illumination to themselves.
Jesus doesn't just want us to shine; He connects our light to a greater purpose. What is that ultimate goal?
The illustration of the lamp isn't just about being seen; it's about pointing to the source of the light. Jesus continues this thought in the very next verse:
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When we live out our faith authentically and let our actions reflect God's character, we give glory to Him. It's a beautiful synergy: God gives us light, we shine it, and through our shining, God is glorified.
Understand the original words
lychnos · Greek Noun
A portable lamp or light source, typically fueled by oil, used to provide illumination in the home.
modios · Greek Noun
A dry measure (the Latin 'modius') equal to about eight or nine quarts; commonly used as a container to cover a lamp.
lychnia · Greek Noun
A pedestal or apparatus designed to hold a lamp aloft so its light can reach as far as possible.
This parallel passage highlights that the purpose of a lamp is for those entering to see the light, echoing the idea that disciples' lives are meant to illuminate the way for others, including Gentiles.
Luke 11:33Similar to Matthew 5:15, this verse also uses the lamp analogy to emphasize that light is meant to be seen, not hidden, connecting to the disciples' role as visible beacons in the world.
John 1:9This verse speaks of the true light that enlightens everyone coming into the world, which conceptually aligns with how the 'light' of disciples is meant to bring spiritual illumination to those around them.
Philippians 2:15This passage calls believers to be blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and distorted generation, 'in which you shine as lights in the world,' directly connecting to the metaphor of shining light.
1 Peter 2:12This verse instructs believers to live such honorable lives among the Gentiles that they may see your good deeds and glorify God, reinforcing the idea that visible good works (like a shining lamp) bring glory to God.
vincentMatthew 5:15: "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."
A bushel (τὸν μόδιον)Rev., rightly, "the bushel;" since the definite article is designed to indicate a familiar object - the grain-measure which is found in every house.A candlestick (τὴν λυχνίαν)Rev., the stand. Also a part of the furniture of every house, and commonly but one in the house: hence the article. The word, which occurs four times i…
wesleyMatthew 5:15: "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."
5:15 Nay, the very design of God in giving you this light was, that it might shine. Mark 4:21; Luke 8:16; 11:33.
The point isn't just about not hiding your light; it's about understanding that the lamp itself was a common household item placed on a stand precisely because its purpose was to illuminate the entire space. Jesus is highlighting that the very nature and design of His followers' spiritual light is to be fully visible and beneficial to everyone in their shared "house"—which is the world.
Jesus is continuing his Sermon on the Mount, teaching his followers how their lives should reflect their new identity in God's kingdom. Following his call for them to be "salt of the earth" to preserve and add flavor to the world, he now describes them as "light" that cannot be hidden. This metaphor of a lamp on a stand illustrates that their divine calling is inherently visible and meant to illuminate the darkness around them.
Jesus is continuing his Sermon on the Mount, teaching his followers how their lives should reflect their new identity in God's kingdom. Following his call for them to be "salt of the earth" to preserve and add flavor to the world, he now describes them as "light" that cannot be hidden. This metaphor of a lamp on a stand illustrates that their divine calling is inherently visible and meant to illuminate the darkness around them.
"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." — The point isn't just about not hiding your light; it's about understanding that the lamp itself was a common household item placed on a stand precisely because its purpose was to illuminate the ent…
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Last reviewed October 2026