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Active Christians Today at The University of Toledo
Bible Study ~ “Eye Lamps" ~ Matthew 6:22-24
Our study in Matthew will show us how he structured his account of Christ as a new Torah with Jesus at the center. It is divided into five sections that each conclude with “when Jesus had finished saying these things” or something similar. Those words describe the power and impact of the words of Christ and what they mean for us today.
Locations & Times
Delta Church of Christ
2018 Bretton Pl, Toledo, OH 43606, USA
Wednesday 7:00 PM
Jesus makes a comparison to ancient views of the eye and light in his teaching on treasures and the necessities of life. For today’s reader, this discussion is puzzling at best. While most believe our reading has something to do with greed and envy, why this is the case?
Opening Questions
What is your view of the “eye” and what it has to do with our body in a physical sense.
What does it have to do with our eye in a spiritual sense?
What is your view of the “eye” and what it has to do with our body in a physical sense.
What does it have to do with our eye in a spiritual sense?
Unpack the Text
Let’s talk “eye lamps!” In order for us to understand this passage, we must be aware of the ancient understanding of vision.
Let’s read the passage:
Let’s talk “eye lamps!” In order for us to understand this passage, we must be aware of the ancient understanding of vision.
Let’s read the passage:
What is your interpretation of the passage?
What direction does light travel in this passage?
Where does this light go? Or does it go anywhere?
It sounds like light travels into the body and fills it with light. Most scholars take this view. But is this the view of the ancient reader? What other interpretations can you think of in regard to how this passage might have been interpreted?
Upon first meeting someone in the ancient world, how would you determine what kind of person they were? What clues would you use to determine if they were a “good” or “bad” person? Sinner or not?
Physiognomy is the practice of assessing a person's character or personality from their outer appearance—especially the face. An example of this is found in Hippocrates' Epidemics. He writes: “Those with a large head, large black eyes and a wide, snub nose are honest.” How does hearing that determination based on physical characteristics make you feel?
Based on physiognomy, how do you think the ancient world viewed the eyes? Does this carry over to today?
Marcus Tullius Cicero was a Roman statesman, lawyer, scholar, philosopher, writer and Academic skeptic. His views on the eyes were common among the people of Jesus’ time. Cicero said that eyes are critical to successful public speaking:
“Everything depends on the countenance, while the countenance itself is dominated by the eyes...For delivery is wholly the concern of the feelings, and these are mirrored by the face and expressed by the eyes.”
Do you believe Cicero is correct in this statement? Why or why not?
Cicero also states: “Everything rests with the face, and the face in turn is under the power of the eyes. ... and the eyes are the index of the emotions... No one can achieve the same end with eyes closed.”
Think about how you convey feeling. How much do your eyes play a role in that?
Again, remember that these are writings from around the time of Jesus. Consider this from Cicero:
“Nature has so formed his human features as to portray therein the character that lies hidden deep within him; for not only do the eyes declare with exceeding clarity the innermost feelings of our hearts, but also the countenance, as we Romans call it, which can be found in no other living being, save man, reveals the character.”
After reading that statement, how important are the eyes when it comes to determining the value (or lack thereof) a person?
Before we think that Jesus wouldn’t have used physiognomics in His teachings, consider the view from the Old Testament:
What direction does light travel in this passage?
Where does this light go? Or does it go anywhere?
It sounds like light travels into the body and fills it with light. Most scholars take this view. But is this the view of the ancient reader? What other interpretations can you think of in regard to how this passage might have been interpreted?
Upon first meeting someone in the ancient world, how would you determine what kind of person they were? What clues would you use to determine if they were a “good” or “bad” person? Sinner or not?
Physiognomy is the practice of assessing a person's character or personality from their outer appearance—especially the face. An example of this is found in Hippocrates' Epidemics. He writes: “Those with a large head, large black eyes and a wide, snub nose are honest.” How does hearing that determination based on physical characteristics make you feel?
Based on physiognomy, how do you think the ancient world viewed the eyes? Does this carry over to today?
Marcus Tullius Cicero was a Roman statesman, lawyer, scholar, philosopher, writer and Academic skeptic. His views on the eyes were common among the people of Jesus’ time. Cicero said that eyes are critical to successful public speaking:
“Everything depends on the countenance, while the countenance itself is dominated by the eyes...For delivery is wholly the concern of the feelings, and these are mirrored by the face and expressed by the eyes.”
Do you believe Cicero is correct in this statement? Why or why not?
Cicero also states: “Everything rests with the face, and the face in turn is under the power of the eyes. ... and the eyes are the index of the emotions... No one can achieve the same end with eyes closed.”
Think about how you convey feeling. How much do your eyes play a role in that?
Again, remember that these are writings from around the time of Jesus. Consider this from Cicero:
“Nature has so formed his human features as to portray therein the character that lies hidden deep within him; for not only do the eyes declare with exceeding clarity the innermost feelings of our hearts, but also the countenance, as we Romans call it, which can be found in no other living being, save man, reveals the character.”
After reading that statement, how important are the eyes when it comes to determining the value (or lack thereof) a person?
Before we think that Jesus wouldn’t have used physiognomics in His teachings, consider the view from the Old Testament:
How is this passage like the words of Cicero?
Why do you think there was such a concern in Israel's priestly system for wholeness and integrity of the physical body (and there was)? What else did this apply to in the priestly system?
In the ancient Jewish view, a person with good eyes was morally sound. Some used this passage to defend their view:
Why do you think there was such a concern in Israel's priestly system for wholeness and integrity of the physical body (and there was)? What else did this apply to in the priestly system?
In the ancient Jewish view, a person with good eyes was morally sound. Some used this passage to defend their view:
What does this passage mean to you? How could it be misinterpreted?
Now, consider this passage from Jewish literature:
“Evil is the man with a grudging eye; he averts his face and disregards people. A greedy man's eye is not satisfied with a portion, and mean injustice withers the soul. A stingy man's eye begrudges bread, and it is lacking at his table.” (Book of Sirach)
However, a radical change takes place even within the context of the Old Testament about who is acceptable and who is not.
Now, consider this passage from Jewish literature:
“Evil is the man with a grudging eye; he averts his face and disregards people. A greedy man's eye is not satisfied with a portion, and mean injustice withers the soul. A stingy man's eye begrudges bread, and it is lacking at his table.” (Book of Sirach)
However, a radical change takes place even within the context of the Old Testament about who is acceptable and who is not.
How is this passage so different from the writings of Cicero, the Book of Sirach and even Leviticus?
There is more that might be familiar to you in the next verses from Isaiah:
There is more that might be familiar to you in the next verses from Isaiah:
What is this about? And why would Isaiah be preparing us for someone who doesn’t seem to meet the traditional “physical” standard?
Just a reminder that we are attempting to get at the context of Jesus’ statement regarding the eyes. In ancient times, the eyes were believed to ‘emit’ light as well. Why do you think this is?
Old Testament Scripture implies that the Jews thought the eye had its’ own light:
Just a reminder that we are attempting to get at the context of Jesus’ statement regarding the eyes. In ancient times, the eyes were believed to ‘emit’ light as well. Why do you think this is?
Old Testament Scripture implies that the Jews thought the eye had its’ own light:
In eight places we read that eyes became darkened (Gn 27:1; 48:10; Dt 34:7; 1 Sm. 3:2; Job 17:7; Ps. 69:23; Lm 5:17; Zch 11:17). The most natural explanation for this metaphor is to recognize the correlation between the eye and the sun. As the heavenly source of light darkens, so too can the bodily source of light dim. Can you think of a contemporary example or phrase that refers to this idea?
Fill in the blank: “Eyes are a window to the ___________.” Explain the meaning of the phrase.
Which direction are we looking when we determine someone’s internal well-being based on “eyes are a window to the ____________?”
It appears that the idea of fire or light emanating from the eyes was regarded as common wisdom among the people of Jesus’ time. It wasn’t until far after Jesus’ death and resurrection that light entering the eye and filling the body was a shared belief. Today we claim to use the eyes to “see inside” a person. Why is this insight important?
Let’s look again at the words of Jesus:
Fill in the blank: “Eyes are a window to the ___________.” Explain the meaning of the phrase.
Which direction are we looking when we determine someone’s internal well-being based on “eyes are a window to the ____________?”
It appears that the idea of fire or light emanating from the eyes was regarded as common wisdom among the people of Jesus’ time. It wasn’t until far after Jesus’ death and resurrection that light entering the eye and filling the body was a shared belief. Today we claim to use the eyes to “see inside” a person. Why is this insight important?
Let’s look again at the words of Jesus:
It seems clear that Jewish tradition was familiar with the association of the eye with a lamp. Jewish hearers and readers would interpret this according to the well-known idea that light emanated from the body through the eyes. We now move to the moral Jesus was teaching. So, what does it mean if a person has no internal light?
If you have no internal light, is it the eye that is the problem? Why or why not?
If you have no internal light, is it the eye that is the problem? Why or why not?
Within an ethical context the eye is infected by sinfulness which causes the light to go out. The real cause of sin is not the eye, but the internal light that has turned into darkness. So why do you think this lesson appears with a discussion of “material” treasures?
There is a direct correlation between outward action and the condition of the eye. So which comes first... the condition of the eye or the goodness of the action?
Jesus is concerned about the relationship between the eye and the inner body. The listener is called to self-examination. Basically Jesus is saying “make sure that the light within you is not darkness.” This determines your actions. It is out of the eye that it emanates, it is out of the heart our innermost beliefs are exposed. Sight is the function of moral light within a person.
How do we know this to be true? All we have to do is go back to the last chapter and we’ll see that Jesus used the same concept to describe what happens when we are filled with light!
There is a direct correlation between outward action and the condition of the eye. So which comes first... the condition of the eye or the goodness of the action?
Jesus is concerned about the relationship between the eye and the inner body. The listener is called to self-examination. Basically Jesus is saying “make sure that the light within you is not darkness.” This determines your actions. It is out of the eye that it emanates, it is out of the heart our innermost beliefs are exposed. Sight is the function of moral light within a person.
How do we know this to be true? All we have to do is go back to the last chapter and we’ll see that Jesus used the same concept to describe what happens when we are filled with light!
Where is the light? Where does it go? How does this fit in with Eye Lamps?
What did Jesus say about serving two masters? (6:24)
Why did Jesus say we cannot serve two masters? (6:24)
What two masters did Jesus mention in this context? Why? (6:24)
“You cannot serve God and money, but you can serve God with money.”
What do you think of that quote? If you can serve God with money, what would that look like? If not, why not?
We lay up treasures in heaven by investing in God’s causes and God’s people. Name some Kingdom causes:
-giving money to the church
-giving to missions
-giving to the poor
Why did Jesus say we cannot serve two masters? (6:24)
What two masters did Jesus mention in this context? Why? (6:24)
“You cannot serve God and money, but you can serve God with money.”
What do you think of that quote? If you can serve God with money, what would that look like? If not, why not?
We lay up treasures in heaven by investing in God’s causes and God’s people. Name some Kingdom causes:
-giving money to the church
-giving to missions
-giving to the poor
Your Story
A test for evaluating if you are focused on earthly things or heavenly things – ask yourself the following questions:
What do you think about? When you are by yourself or laying in bed late at night, what are you thinking about?
What do you talk about? What topics do you discuss with your friends and your family?
What do you do with your free time? If you have a completely free hour with no distractions and no pressing needs from anyone, what will you be more likely to do with it? Watch a tv show? Read investing tips? Grab a Christian book?
What do you spend your money on? What brings you great joy to use your money on?
What you think about, talk about, do in your free time, and purchase will give you a pretty good hint about where your heart is, which is also where your treasure is.
A test for evaluating if you are focused on earthly things or heavenly things – ask yourself the following questions:
What do you think about? When you are by yourself or laying in bed late at night, what are you thinking about?
What do you talk about? What topics do you discuss with your friends and your family?
What do you do with your free time? If you have a completely free hour with no distractions and no pressing needs from anyone, what will you be more likely to do with it? Watch a tv show? Read investing tips? Grab a Christian book?
What do you spend your money on? What brings you great joy to use your money on?
What you think about, talk about, do in your free time, and purchase will give you a pretty good hint about where your heart is, which is also where your treasure is.
Apply It to Your Life
How could you make an investment in eternity today?
What committed Christian friends could help you evaluate your “eyes” in the next month?
How could you make an investment in eternity today?
What committed Christian friends could help you evaluate your “eyes” in the next month?
Praise & Prayer