Luke 11:35
New International Version
See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness.

New Living Translation
Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness.

English Standard Version
Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness.

Berean Standard Bible
Be careful, then, that the light within you is not darkness.

Berean Literal Bible
Therefore take heed, lest the light that is in you be darkness.

King James Bible
Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.

New King James Version
Therefore take heed that the light which is in you is not darkness.

New American Standard Bible
So watch out that the light in you is not darkness.

NASB 1995
“Then watch out that the light in you is not darkness.

NASB 1977
“Then watch out that the light in you may not be darkness.

Legacy Standard Bible
Therefore watch out that the light in you is not darkness.

Amplified Bible
Be careful, therefore, that the light that is in you is not darkness.

Christian Standard Bible
Take care, then, that the light in you is not darkness.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Take care then, that the light in you is not darkness.

American Standard Version
Look therefore whether the light that is in thee be not darkness.

Contemporary English Version
So be sure your light isn't darkness.

English Revised Version
Look therefore whether the light that is in thee be not darkness.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
So be careful that the light in you isn't darkness.

Good News Translation
Make certain, then, that the light in you is not darkness.

International Standard Version
Therefore, be careful that the light in you isn't darkness.

Majority Standard Bible
Be careful, then, that the light within you is not darkness.

NET Bible
Therefore see to it that the light in you is not darkness.

New Heart English Bible
Therefore see whether the light that is in you is not darkness.

Webster's Bible Translation
Take heed therefore, that the light which is in thee be not darkness.

Weymouth New Testament
Consider therefore whether the light that is in you is anything but mere darkness.

World English Bible
Therefore see whether the light that is in you isn’t darkness.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
take heed, then, lest the light that [is] in you is darkness;

Berean Literal Bible
Therefore take heed, lest the light that is in you be darkness.

Young's Literal Translation
take heed, then, lest the light that is in thee be darkness;

Smith's Literal Translation
Take heed therefore lest the light in thee be darkness.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Take heed therefore, that the light which is in thee, be not darkness.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Therefore, take care, lest the light that is within you become darkness.

New American Bible
Take care, then, that the light in you not become darkness.

New Revised Standard Version
Therefore consider whether the light in you is not darkness.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Take heed, therefore, lest the light which is in you be darkness.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“Take care therefore lest the light that is in you is darkness”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Take heed, therefore, lest the light that is in you be darkness.

Godbey New Testament
See then that the light which is in thee is not darkness.

Haweis New Testament
Let it be thy aim then, that the light which is in thee do not become darkness.

Mace New Testament
take care therefore, that the light which is in thee do not become darkness.

Weymouth New Testament
Consider therefore whether the light that is in you is anything but mere darkness.

Worrell New Testament
Take heed, therefore, lest the light in you be darkness.

Worsley New Testament
Take heed therefore least the light which is in thee be darkness.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Lamp of the Body
34Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are good, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are bad, your body is full of darkness. 35Be careful, then, that the light within you is not darkness. 36So if your whole body is full of light, with no part of it in darkness, you will be radiant, as though a lamp were shining on you.”…

Cross References
Matthew 6:22-23
The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. / But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

John 12:35-36
Then Jesus told them, “For a little while longer, the Light will be among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. / While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of light.” After Jesus had spoken these things, He went away and was hidden from them.

Ephesians 5:8-14
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light, / for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth. / Test and prove what pleases the Lord. ...

2 Corinthians 4:6
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

1 John 1:5-7
And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you: God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. / If we say we have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. / But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

Isaiah 5:20
Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness to light and light to darkness, who replace bitter with sweet and sweet with bitter.

Proverbs 4:18-19
The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday. / But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom; they do not know what makes them stumble.

1 Thessalonians 5:4-5
But you, brothers, are not in the darkness so that this day should overtake you like a thief. / For you are all sons of the light and sons of the day; we do not belong to the night or to the darkness.

Romans 13:12
The night is nearly over; the day has drawn near. So let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

2 Peter 1:19
We also have the word of the prophets as confirmed beyond doubt. And you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.

Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Isaiah 60:1-2
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. / For behold, darkness covers the earth, and thick darkness is over the peoples; but the LORD will rise upon you, and His glory will appear over you.

John 8:12
Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Colossians 1:12-13
giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. / He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son,

Acts 26:18
to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Me.’


Treasury of Scripture

Take heed therefore that the light which is in you be not darkness.

Proverbs 16:25
There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

Proverbs 26:12
Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

Isaiah 5:20,21
Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! …

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Care Careful Consider Dark Darkness Heed Light Mere Watch Whether Within
Luke 11
1. Jesus teaches us to pray, and that instantly;
11. assuring us that God will give all good things to those who ask him.
14. He, casting out a demon, rebukes the blasphemous Pharisees;
27. and shows who are blessed;
29. preaches to the people;
37. and reprimands the outward show of holiness.














Be careful
The phrase "Be careful" is a call to vigilance and mindfulness. In the Greek, the word used is "σκοπέω" (skopeō), which means to look at, observe, or consider. This is a directive to the believer to be watchful over their spiritual state. In a historical context, this echoes the wisdom literature of the Old Testament, where vigilance over one's heart and actions is frequently emphasized (e.g., Proverbs 4:23). It is a reminder that spiritual awareness requires intentionality and discernment.

then
The word "then" serves as a conjunction, linking this verse to the preceding teachings of Jesus. It implies a logical conclusion or a necessary action based on what has been previously discussed. In the context of Luke 11, Jesus has been speaking about the importance of spiritual perception and the dangers of hypocrisy. "Then" suggests that the instruction to be careful is a direct response to the potential for spiritual blindness.

that the light
"That the light" refers to the inner spiritual illumination or understanding that one possesses. In the Greek, "φῶς" (phōs) is used, which can mean both physical light and metaphorical enlightenment. Biblically, light is often associated with truth, purity, and the presence of God (e.g., John 1:4-5). This phrase underscores the importance of ensuring that one's inner light is genuine and aligned with God's truth.

within you
"Within you" emphasizes the personal and internal nature of this light. It is not merely an external adherence to religious practices but an inward reality. The Greek word "ἐν" (en) indicates something that resides inside or is intrinsic to a person. This highlights the necessity for an authentic, internalized faith that transforms the heart and mind, as opposed to a superficial or external religiosity.

is not darkness
The contrast between light and darkness is a common biblical motif, representing the struggle between good and evil, truth and deception. The Greek word for darkness, "σκότος" (skotos), signifies obscurity, ignorance, or moral depravity. Jesus warns that what one perceives as light could actually be darkness if it is not rooted in God's truth. This serves as a caution against self-deception and the influence of false teachings. Historically, this would resonate with the early Christian communities who faced various heresies and needed to discern true doctrine.

(35) Take heed therefore that the light . . .--Better, See to it whether the light that is in thee be darkness. This takes the place in St. Luke's report of St. Matthew's (Luke 6:23) "If the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!" The warning is one which calls men to self-scrutiny. They need to examine their primary beliefs, their very intuitions of right and wrong, lest all they do should be vitiated at its very source. The call to do this implies that they must have a Light by which to judge their light, a Standard by which to test their standard, and that Light and Standard are found in the teaching of the Light that lighteth every man, in the recorded words and acts of the Son of Man.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Be careful,
σκόπει (skopei)
Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4648: To look at, regard attentively, take heed, beware, consider. From skopos; to take aim at, i.e. regard.

then,
οὖν (oun)
Conjunction
Strong's 3767: Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.

[that] the
τὸ (to)
Article - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

light
φῶς (phōs)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5457: Light, a source of light, radiance. From an obsolete phao; luminousness.

within
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

you
σοὶ (soi)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

is
ἐστίν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

not
μὴ (mē)
Adverb
Strong's 3361: Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.

darkness.
σκότος (skotos)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4655: Darkness, either physical or moral. From the base of skia; shadiness, i.e. Obscurity.


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Luke 11:34
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