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Luke 11:34

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Luke 11:34 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “The lamp of thy body is thine eye: when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when it is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

The lamp of thy body is thine eye: when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when it is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.
Luke 11:34 — American Standard Version

Context — Luke 11

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
31The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and shall condemn them: for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, a greater than Solomon is here.
32The men of Nineveh shall stand up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, a greater than Jonah is here.
33No man, when he hath lighted a lamp, putteth it in a cellar, neither under the bushel, but on the stand, that they which enter in may see the light.
34The lamp of thy body is thine eye: when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when it is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.
35Look therefore whether the light that is in thee be not darkness.
36If therefore thy whole body be full of light, having no part dark, it shall be wholly full of light, as when the lamp with its bright shining doth give thee light.
37Now as he spake, a Pharisee asketh him to dine with him: and he went in, and sat down to meat.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“The light of the body is the eye, etc.] The Vulgate Latin and all the eastern versions read “the light of thy body is thine eye”. The sense is, that as the eye gives light, to the body, and the several members of it, by which they are guided and directed; so the understanding is the light of the soul, and the guide to all the powers and faculties of it; therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light: as when the eye is free from vicious humours, and its sight is clear, the whole body reaps the advantage of it, and is perfectly illuminated by it; so when the eye of the understanding is opened and enlightened by the Spirit of God, into the truths of the Gospel, and a…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“These verses are found in Matthew, but in a different connection. See the notes at Matthew 5:15; Matthew 6:22-23. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“But when thine eye is evil - When thou aimest at any thing else, thou wilt be full of folly, sin, and misery. On the contrary, Mat 6:22. Luke 11:36”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“light of: Psa 119:18; Mat 6:22, Mat 6:23; Mar 8:18; Act 26:18; Eph 1:17 single: Act 2:46; Co2 1:12, Co2 11:3; Eph 6:5; Col 3:22 but: Gen 19:11; Kg2 6:15-20; Psa 81:12; Pro 28:22; Isa 6:10, Isa 29:10, Isa 42:19; Isa 44:18; Jer 5:21; Mar 4:12, Mar 7:22; Act 13:11; Rom 11:8-10; Co2 4:4; Th2 2:9-12 Luke 11:35”
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Related study paths

Read Luke 11 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification