8:16 “No one lights 1 a lamp 2 and then covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a lampstand so that those who come in can see the light. 3
1 tn The participle ἅψας ({aya") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
2 sn This is probably an ancient oil burning lamp or perhaps a candlestick. Jesus is comparing revelation to light, particularly the revelation of his ministry; see 1:78-79.
3 tn Or “its light,” if the Greek article is translated as a possessive pronoun (for such usage, cf. ExSyn 215).
4 tn Κἀκεῖνος (kakeino") has been translated “Then he.”
5 tn Grk “answering, he will say.” This is redundant in contemporary English and has been simplified to “he will reply.”
6 tn Grk “my children are with me in the bed.” In Jewish homes in the time of Jesus, the beds were often all together in one room; thus the householder may be speaking of individual beds (using a collective singular) rather than a common bed.
7 tn The syntax of vv. 6-7 is complex. In the Greek text Jesus’ words in v. 6 begin as a question. Some see Jesus’ question ending at v. 6, but the reply starting in v. 8 favors extending the question through the entire illustration. The translation breaks up the long sentence at the beginning of v. 7 and translates Jesus’ words as a statement for reasons of English style.