Lukas 11:33

Internal Light

11:33 “No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a hidden place ¹  or under a basket, ²  but on a lampstand, so that those who come in can see the light.

Lukas 16:9

16:9 And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by how you use worldly wealth, ³  so that when it runs out you will be welcomed ⁴  into the eternal homes. ⁵ 

Lukas 20:20

Paying Taxes to Caesar

20:20 Then ⁶  they watched him carefully and sent spies who pretended to be sincere. ⁷  They wanted to take advantage of what he might say ⁸  so that they could deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction ⁹  of the governor.

[11:33]  ¹ tn Or perhaps “in a cellar” (L&N 28.78). The point is that the light of Jesus’ teaching has been put in public view.

[11:33]  ² tc The phrase “or under a basket” is lacking in some important and early mss (Ì^45,75 L Γ Ξ 070 ˹ 700* 1241 2542 pc sy^s sa). It is hard to decide in this case, since the inclusion of “or under a basket” is widely attested by some early and decent witnesses, as well as the overwhelming majority of mss (א A B C D W Θ Ψ Ë¹³ Ï latt). The parallel passage in Luke 8:16 does not include “under a basket.” If the phrase “under a basket” were added as a harmonization with Mark 4:21 and Matt 5:15, it is perhaps surprising that scribes did not add the phrase at Luke 8:16 as well. It seems somewhat more likely that a scribe copying Luke would be inclined to harmonize 11:33 with 8:16 by omitting the phrase here. Thus, the words “or under a basket” seem to have the marks of authenticity.

[11:33]  tn Or “a bowl”; this refers to any container for dry material of about eight liters (two gallons) capacity. It could be translated “basket, box, bowl” (L&N 6.151).

[16:9]  ³ tn Grk “unrighteous mammon.” Mammon is the Aramaic term for wealth or possessions. The point is not that money is inherently evil, but that it is often misused so that it is a means of evil; see 1 Tim 6:6-10, 17-19. The call is to be generous and kind in its use. Zacchaeus becomes the example of this in Luke’s Gospel (19:1-10).

[16:9]  ⁴ sn The passive refers to the welcome of heaven.

[16:9]  ⁵ tn Grk “eternal tents” (as dwelling places).

[20:20]  ⁶ tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.

[20:20]  ⁷ tn Grk “righteous,” but in this context the point is their false sincerity.

[20:20]  ⁸ tn Grk “so that they might catch him in some word.”

[20:20]  ⁹ tn This word is often translated “authority” in other contexts, but here, in combination with ἀρχή (arch), it refers to the domain or sphere of the governor’s rule (L&N 37.36).