Mark 4 21

Mark 4:21 kjv

And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?

Mark 4:21 nkjv

Also He said to them, "Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand?

Mark 4:21 niv

He said to them, "Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don't you put it on its stand?

Mark 4:21 esv

And he said to them, "Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand?

Mark 4:21 nlt

Then Jesus asked them, "Would anyone light a lamp and then put it under a basket or under a bed? Of course not! A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light will shine.

Mark 4 verses

Mark 4 21 Meaning

Mark 4:21 introduces a rhetorical question from Jesus, emphasizing that a source of light, like a lamp, is intended for illumination, not concealment. This principle underscores the divine purpose for truth, revelation, and the Kingdom of God, which are meant to be openly proclaimed and seen by all, rather than hidden or restricted. It implies that spiritual understanding and the Gospel message are not for private keeping but for public witness, calling believers to display their faith and share the light of Christ.

Mark 4 21 Context

Mark 4:21 is embedded within Jesus' discourse on parables, following the Parable of the Sower (Mk 4:1-9) and its private explanation to His disciples (Mk 4:10-20). The verse is one of several brief, wisdom-like sayings in Mark 4 (along with Mk 4:22, 23, 24, 25) that collectively expound on the nature of understanding and response to God's word. The preceding context reveals the varied receptivity to the message of the Kingdom of God. Here, Jesus uses a common household object—a lamp—to illustrate that the truth He reveals, particularly the mystery of the Kingdom, is not meant to be concealed. Instead, it is given with the ultimate intention of full manifestation. The historical and cultural context would be familiar to Jesus' audience, as oil lamps were essential for lighting in ancient homes, universally placed on lampstands to provide maximum illumination. To put a lamp under a basket (a bushel measure) or a bed would be absurd and counterproductive, perfectly illustrating the absurdity of concealing the Kingdom message. The verse can also be seen as a gentle challenge or polemic against any notion that spiritual truth should be hidden, reserved for an elite few, or kept from a general public deemed unworthy.

Mark 4 21 Word analysis

• And he said (Καὶ ἔλεγεν - Kai elegen): "And" serves as a natural transition, linking this saying directly to Jesus' ongoing teaching, often introducing a new thought related to the previous one. "He said" indicates Jesus' authoritative voice and instruction.
• to them (αὐτοῖς - autois): Primarily referring to "those who were around him with the twelve" (Mk 4:10), the inner circle of disciples to whom the mysteries of the Kingdom were explained. It suggests private instruction meant for future public declaration.
• Is (μήτι - mēti): An interrogative particle introducing a question that expects a negative answer, emphasizing the obvious absurdity of the premise. It sets up a rhetorical question.
• a lamp (ὁ λύχνος - ho lychnos): Refers to a small, clay oil lamp used in homes for light. Spiritually, it symbolizes divine truth, the revelation of the Kingdom of God, the teachings of Jesus, God’s Word, and also the lives/witness of believers who are illuminated by Christ.
• brought (ἔρχεται - erchetai): Present passive or middle form of "to come," here used impersonally, indicating the act of bringing or being brought. It highlights the purpose or intention behind bringing the lamp into a house.
• to be put (ἵνα τεθῇ - hina tethē): "In order that it might be placed." Specifies the purpose for which the lamp is brought.
• under (ὑπὸ - hypo): "Underneath," implying concealment or obstruction.
• a basket (τὸν μόδιον - ton modion): A "bushel" basket, a common dry measure, typically holding about two gallons. It's an everyday item large enough to cover and hide a lamp. Symbolically, it can represent mundane, earthly concerns, worldly activities, or even human traditions and interpretations that can inadvertently obscure divine light.
• or under (ἢ ὑπὸ - ē hypo): Connects the two alternative places of concealment.
• a bed (τὴν κλίνην - tēn klinēn): A "couch" or "bed," typically a place of rest, privacy, or sometimes illness. Symbolically, it could represent spiritual idleness, hidden personal faith, or comfortable complacency that keeps the light of truth from being shared publicly.
• and not (οὐχί - ouchi): "Is it not...?" Another interrogative particle emphasizing the expected affirmative answer, confirming the correct purpose.
• on a lampstand? (ἐπὶ τὴν λυχνίαν - epi tēn lychnian): The proper, visible place for a lamp, designed to elevate it and allow its light to illuminate the whole room. Symbolically, this represents a position of visibility, proclamation, witness, and open declaration, particularly of the Gospel and the Kingdom.

Word-groups by word-groups analysis

• "Is a lamp brought to be put...": This rhetorical question immediately challenges common sense and societal practice, setting up an obvious conclusion. The phrasing highlights that the lamp's existence implies an inherent, practical purpose – illumination. Spiritually, it underscores that God's revelation has a divinely ordained purpose for being made known.
• "...under a basket, or under a bed...": These two specific household items, universally recognized by the audience, vividly illustrate positions of concealment, obstruction, and limited utility. They represent situations or attitudes (worldly cares, private comfort, idleness) that might prevent God's light from fulfilling its true function. The absurdity emphasizes that to obscure the light of Christ or His Kingdom truth goes against its fundamental nature.
• "...and not on a lampstand?": The contrast is sharp and definitive. The lampstand is the designated, ideal place for light to shine furthest and most effectively. This directly states the true and only logical purpose of the lamp, drawing an immediate parallel to the intended open proclamation of the Kingdom and the visible life of the believer. It underscores the public and outward nature of the divine revelation.

Mark 4 21 Bonus section

The rhetorical nature of this question aligns with rabbinic teaching styles, inviting listeners to draw an obvious conclusion from an everyday observation, thereby deeply embedding the spiritual truth. The principle applies not only to the general proclamation of the Gospel but also to individual believers; their transformed lives are meant to shine as a testament to Christ (Phil 2:15). This verse acts as a bridge from understanding the "mystery of the kingdom of God" (Mk 4:11) to the expectation that this understanding will lead to open testimony. It prefaces the subsequent teaching on "listening carefully" (Mk 4:24), suggesting that hearing and receiving revelation also carries the responsibility to then reveal it. The concept of "light" throughout Scripture consistently points to divine truth, wisdom, revelation, salvation, and the very presence of God, emphasizing the non-negotiable public nature of these realities.

Mark 4 21 Commentary

Mark 4:21 encapsulates a profound truth about the nature of God's revelation and the disciples' responsibility. Jesus, the true light of the world, does not bring His Kingdom and its truths to be hoarded or kept secret among a select few. His teachings and the reality of the Gospel are intrinsically designed for public manifestation and illumination. The absurdity of hiding a lamp – the very purpose of which is to give light – emphasizes the equal absurdity, and indeed unfaithfulness, of concealing the transforming truth of God's Word and the reality of His reign. This passage implies that believers, having received light from Christ, are called to be channels through which this light shines. This is not about self-display, but about fulfilling God's design: to enlighten a world immersed in darkness, making the Kingdom visible through word and deed. It is a direct imperative for proclamation and living out faith publicly, rather than isolating it as a private, concealed belief.