P. The lamp and the cover (8:16–18)
P. The lamp and the cover (8:16–18)
16–17. The purpose of lighting a lamp is to give light, and thus a lamp is not hidden under a vessel (cf. 11:33) or a bed. Jesus’ followers must let the light that is in them shine forth and illuminate people. This leads on to the thought that in due course all that is hidden will be made public (cf. 12:2). Nothing can be concealed on judgment day.
18. This saying links up with the parable of the sower and also with that of the pounds (19:26). It is important to hear rightly and not be like the seed that came to nothing in the parable. The same lesson is driven home with the reminder that to him who has will more be given. This is not, of course, a message of encouragement for the moneyed classes: it is connected with hearing the word of God. If we use what God gives it will increase. And the next words underline the opposite truth: if we do not, we will lose even what we think we have. This is total loss.