Lexical Summary skoteinos: Dark, full of darkness Original Word: σκοτεινός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance dark, full of darkness. From skotos; opaque, i.e. (figuratively) benighted -- dark, full of darkness. see GREEK skotos HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 4652 skoteinós (an adjective, derived from 4655 /skótos, "the principle – results of darkness") – dark. See 4655 (skotos). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom skotos Definition dark NASB Translation dark (1), full of darkness (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4652: σκοτεινόςσκοτεινός (WH σκοτινος; see Iota), σκοτεινή, σκοτεινόν (σκότος), full of darkness, covered with darkness (from Aeschylus down): opposed to φωτεινός, Matthew 6:23; Luke 11:34, 36 (τά σκοτεινά καί τά φωτεινα, Xenophon, mem. 3, 10, 1; (cf. 4, 3, 4)). Topical Lexicon Semantic Range and Emphases Strong’s Greek 4652 describes a quality of being “dark” in the sense of lacking or resisting light. Throughout Scripture, darkness functions not merely as an absence of physical illumination but as a figurative realm of moral blindness, deception, and alienation from God (Isaiah 60:2; John 12:35-36). The adjective therefore carries ethical and spiritual weight, alerting the reader to conditions opposed to divine revelation. Canonical Occurrences in the New Testament 1. Matthew 6:23 All three instances arise in parallel teachings of Jesus concerning “the eye” as the lamp of the body. The Lord casts darkness as the inevitable result when one’s inner perception is unhealthy or evil, contrasting sharply with the fullness of light promised to the clear-sighted disciple. Contextual Analysis Matthew 6:23 and Luke 11:34 present a chiastic tension: “If your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness.” By locating the term within exhortations about treasure, generosity, and undivided loyalty, Jesus links darkness to covetousness and double-mindedness (Matthew 6:19-24). In Luke 11:36 He pushes the contrast further: “if your whole body is full of light, with no part of it in darkness, it will be radiant”, showing the transformative effect of a rightly oriented heart. Thus σκοτεινόν signifies the moral fallout of refusing the illumination offered by Christ. Theological Themes • Moral Perception and Integrity The “eye” symbolizes internal orientation—values, priorities, motives. A σκοτεινόν condition implies moral confusion whereby evil is mistaken for good (Isaiah 5:20). Jesus’ stark warning—“how great is that darkness!”—underscores the peril of self-deception. • Kingdom Light Versus Worldly Darkness The Gospels frame Jesus as “the true Light” (John 1:9). To remain σκοτεινόν is to stay outside His reign. This dichotomy threads through Pauline teaching: “For once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light” (Ephesians 5:8). • Eschatological Outcome Persistent darkness points to final exclusion “into the outer darkness” (Matthew 22:13). The temporal choice to welcome or resist divine light carries eternal consequence. Historical Background First-century Judaism already used light-darkness antitheses (e.g., Dead Sea Scrolls’ “Sons of Light”). Hellenistic ethics likewise equated ignorance with darkness. Jesus’ usage resonates with these currents while grounding the remedy not in gnosis but in relationship to Himself. Ministry Application 1. Discernment in Stewardship Because both Matthean and Lukan contexts discuss material possessions, leaders should evaluate financial practices through the lens of generosity versus greed. Clinging to riches clouds spiritual vision; open-handed giving clarifies it. 2. Teaching on Self-Examination Regularly invite congregations to pray Psalm 139:23-24, asking the Spirit to expose hidden darkness. The goal is not morbid introspection but restored clarity. 3. Counseling and Pastoral Care When believers struggle with persistent sin or discouragement, explore whether underlying beliefs have become σκοτεινόν—false narratives about God or self. Re-aligning perception with Scripture ushers in light and freedom. 4. Evangelism Emphasis Present Christ as the only true light capable of dispelling darkness (John 8:12). Stress that neutrality is impossible; an unyielding eye inevitably fills the whole life with darkness. Related Biblical Motifs • Creation: light overcoming primordial darkness (Genesis 1:2-3). Conclusion Strong’s 4652 encapsulates more than dimness; it names the tragic condition of a life unreceptive to God’s illuminating grace. Jesus’ triple use of σκοτεινόν challenges every generation to cultivate a sound, single eye fixed on Him, so that the radiant light of the gospel may fill the entire person and overflow into a darkened world. Forms and Transliterations σκοτεινά σκοτειναί σκοτεινή σκοτεινήν σκοτεινοίς σκοτεινόν σκοτεινὸν σκοτεινός σκοτεινούς σκοτεινώ σκοτινον σκοτινόν σκοτινὸν skoteinon skoteinón skoteinònLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 6:23 Adj-NNSGRK: σῶμά σου σκοτεινὸν ἔσται εἰ NAS: body will be full of darkness. If KJV: shall be full of darkness. If INT: body of you dark will be If Luke 11:34 Adj-NNS Luke 11:36 Adj-ANS |
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