Luke 8:17

15 But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with ^apatience.

The Parable of the Revealed Light

16 ^a“No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a vessel or puts it under a bed, but sets it on a lampstand, that those who enter may see the ^blight.

17 ^aFor nothing is secret that will not be ^brevealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light.

18 Therefore take heed how you hear. ^aFor whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he¹ seems to ^bhave will be taken from him.”

Jesus’ Mother and Brothers Come to Him

19 ^aThen His mother and brothers came to Him, and could not approach Him because of the crowd.

Commentaries:

Forerunner Commentary
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What Does Luke 8:17 Mean?

Luke 8:16-17

In the Parable of the Light recorded in Matthew 5:14-16 (found also in Mark 4:21; Luke 8:16-17; 11:33-36), Jesus Christ uses two figures of speech to express the responsibility of true Christians to influence the world: "a city . . . on a hill" and "a lamp . . . on a lampstand."

Many Judean cities were founded on the summits or sides of mountains, and travelers could see them from afar. Perhaps Jesus pointed to such a city, telling His disciples that they were like it. The city built on an important location can be seen by many eyes over a wide area, representing a disciple's far-ranging and widespread exposure to others.

Jesus' illustration of a shining lamp illuminating the home suggests a disciple's more intimate influence. By design, a Christian's actions cannot be hidden from the eyes of either our families or the world at large. This being the case, he must live a righteous, holy, humble, and pure life, letting his "light so shine before men [and thus] . . . glorify your Father in heaven."

Martin G. Collins
Parable of the Light

**Other Forerunner Commentary entries containing Luke 8:17:**

Matthew 5:14-16
Mark 4:21
Luke 8:16-17
Luke 11:33-36
Luke 12:1-7

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