Light in the Time of Jesus: First Century Oil Lamps
For thousands of years, until the advent of electric light, the oil lamp was humanity’s primary answer to darkness. These simple yet ingenious devices – typically a clay vessel with a reservoir for oil and a spout for a wick – did far more than just illuminate homes. They enabled people to extend their activities beyond daylight hours, lit sacred spaces, guided travelers through dark streets, and accompanied the deceased in their tombs.
During the time of Jesus, oil lamps in the Holy Land were primarily Roman-style wheel-made or mold-made clay vessels, marking a technological advance from early Hellenistic designs.
The Herodian Oil Lamp
“Herodian” Oil Lamp. (c) Danny Herman
The most common type of oil lamp in the time of Jesus was the “Herodian” lamp. It is named after King Herod, although it was common through the time of Jesus as well.
These lamps featured a distinctive round body with a small filling hole on top and an elongated nozzle for the wick, typically made from flax or cotton. They were usually plain and undecorated, perhaps reflecting the Jewish resentment of the contemporaneous ornate Roman oil lamps. Some of these lamps have a distinct black colored formed by burning them without oxygen.
The typical lamp burned olive oil, which was abundant in the region of Judea and the Galilee. A full lamp could burn for several hours, though some oil lamps were designed to hold a pinched egg containing more oil. Jewish sources indicate the that such oil lamps could retain the light through all of Shabbath. Such an oil lamp was found near the Boat of Galilee.
Archaeological excavations in Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and throughout Judea have uncovered thousands of these lamps in domestic settings, shops, and tombs.
Oil Lamps in the preaching of Jesus
The oil lamp served as both a practical tool and powerful symbol in Jesus’s teachings. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus used the image of a lamp on a stand rather than hidden under a basket to illustrate how believers should let their faith shine openly (Matthew 5:14-16).In the Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13) the oil lamps feature as symbols of spiritual preparedness, contrasting wise virgins who brought extra oil with foolish ones who ran out. Jesus also spoke of the eye as “the lamp of the body,” (Matthew 6:22) connecting physical and spiritual illumination. These metaphors resonated deeply with his audience, who relied on oil lamps for daily lighting and understood their vital role in hospitality and nighttime activities.
Imported Roman Oil Lamps
While most lamps were locally made, some imported examples from Rome and other parts of the Empire have also been found in Judea. However they are more a typical find in the wealthier urban sites such as Caesarea and the cities of the Decapolis. These oil lamps often featured elaborate decorations and higher quality clay and craftsmanship.
Conclusions
Throughout the centuries since Jesus walked in Galilee, oil lamps have remained powerful symbols of spiritual light and divine presence. Though modern illumination has replaced their practical use, these humble clay vessels continue to remind us of humanity’s timeless quest to push back darkness and seek enlightenment.
