Matthew 5:15 - Clarke's commentary and critical notes on the Bible

Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel - A bushel μοδιος: - a measure both among the Greeks and Romans, containing a little more than a peck English. From some ancient writers we learn, that only those who had bad designs hid a candle under a bushel; that, in the dead of the night, when all were asleep, they might rise up, and have light at hand to help them to effect their horrid purposes of murder, etc. See Wetstein, Kypke, Wolf, etc.