Mark 4:21

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ 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?

Complete Jewish Bible:

He said to them, "A lamp isn't brought in to be put under a bowl or under the bed, is it? Wouldn't you put it on a lampstand?

Berean Standard Bible:

Jesus also said to them, “Does anyone bring in a lamp to put it under a basket or under a bed? Doesn’t he set it on a stand?

American Standard Version:

And he said unto them, Is the lamp brought to be put under the bushel, or under the bed, and not to be put on the stand?

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And^{G2532} he said^{G3004} unto them^{G846}, Is^{G3385} a candle^{G3088} brought^{G2064} to^{G2443} be put^{G5087} under^{G5259} a bushel^{G3426}, or^{G2228} under^{G5259} a bed^{G2825}? and not^{G3756} to^{G2443} be set^{G2007} on^{G1909} a candlestick^{G3087}?

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Commentary for Mark 4:21

Mark 4:21 is a verse in the New Testament where Jesus is speaking to his disciples and the surrounding crowd in a series of parables to illustrate the nature of the Kingdom of God. The verse uses a simple, everyday image to convey a profound truth about the role of Jesus' teachings and the responsibility of his followers.

In the historical context of the time, candles were a crucial source of light in homes, especially after sunset. The candle's purpose was to illuminate the surroundings, and hiding it under a bushel (a measure for grain) or a bed would defeat its purpose. Jesus uses this common practice as a metaphor to teach about the visibility and impact of his message.

The themes of this verse include the importance of making the teachings of Jesus visible to all and not concealing the good news of the Gospel. It suggests that the message of Jesus is meant to be shared openly, to bring light and understanding to people, just as a candle is meant to be placed on a stand to give light to everyone in the house. This metaphor emphasizes the idea of stewardship and responsibility: just as one would not hide a source of light, so too should Christians not hide or be ashamed of the Gospel, but actively live it out and share it with others so that it can have its full effect.

In a broader sense, this verse speaks to the transformative power of truth and the importance of letting one's good deeds and faith be evident to others, thereby glorifying God and guiding others to the path of righteousness. It is a call to live out one's faith openly and to let the values of the Kingdom of God shine through one's actions.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G2532
   There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: καί
   Transliteration: kaí
   Pronunciation: kahee
   Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
   
2. Strong's Number: G3004
   There are 1244 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: λέγω
   Transliteration: légō
   Pronunciation: leg'-o
   Description: a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas ἔπω and φημί generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while ῥέω is properly to break silence merely, and λαλέω means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.
   
3. Strong's Number: G846
   There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: αὐτός
   Transliteration: autós
   Pronunciation: ow-tos'
   Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
   
4. Strong's Number: G3385
   There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: μήτι
   Transliteration: mḗti
   Pronunciation: may'-tee
   Description: from μή and the neuter of τὶς; whether at all:--not (the particle usually not expressed, except by the form of the question).
   
5. Strong's Number: G3088
   There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: λύχνος
   Transliteration: lýchnos
   Pronunciation: lookh'-nos
   Description: from the base of λευκός; a portable lamp or other illuminator (literally or figuratively):--candle, light.
   
6. Strong's Number: G2064
   There are 604 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἔρχομαι
   Transliteration: érchomai
   Pronunciation: el'-tho
   Description: middle voice of a primary verb (used only in the present and imperfect tenses, the others being supplied by a kindred (middle voice) , or (active) , which do not otherwise occur); to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively):--accompany, appear, bring, come, enter, fall out, go, grow, X light, X next, pass, resort, be set.
   
7. Strong's Number: G2443
   There are 535 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἵνα
   Transliteration: hína
   Pronunciation: hin'-ah
   Description: probably from the same as the former part of ἑαυτοῦ (through the demonstrative idea; compare ὁ); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result):--albeit, because, to the intent (that), lest, so as, (so) that, (for) to. Compare ἵνα μή.
   
8. Strong's Number: G5087
   There are 94 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: τίθημι
   Transliteration: títhēmi
   Pronunciation: theh'-o
   Description: a prolonged form of a primary (which is used only as alternate in certain tenses); to place (in the widest application, literally and figuratively; properly, in a passive or horizontal posture, and thus different from ἵστημι, which properly denotes an upright and active position, while κεῖμαι is properly reflexive and utterly prostrate):--+ advise, appoint, bow, commit, conceive, give, X kneel down, lay (aside, down, up), make, ordain, purpose, put, set (forth), settle, sink down.
   
9. Strong's Number: G5259
   There are 211 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὑπό
   Transliteration: hypó
   Pronunciation: hoop-o'
   Description: a primary preposition; under, i.e. (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (underneath) or where (below) or time (when (at)):--among, by, from, in, of, under, with. In the comparative, it retains the same general applications, especially of inferior position or condition, and specially, covertly or moderately.
   
10. Strong's Number: G3426
    There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: μόδιος
    Transliteration: módios
    Pronunciation: mod'-ee-os
    Description: of Latin origin; a modius, i.e. certain measure for things dry (the quantity or the utensil):--bushel.
    
11. Strong's Number: G2228
    There are 283 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἤ
    Transliteration: ḗ
    Pronunciation: ay
    Description: a primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than:--and, but (either), (n-)either, except it be, (n-)or (else), rather, save, than, that, what, yea. Often used in connection with other particles. Compare especially ἤδη, ἤπερ, ἤτοι.
    
12. Strong's Number: G2825
    There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: κλίνη
    Transliteration: klínē
    Pronunciation: klee'-nay
    Description: from κλίνω; a couch (for sleep, sickness, sitting or eating):--bed, table.
    
13. Strong's Number: G3756
    There are 1328 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: οὐ
    Transliteration: ou
    Pronunciation: ookh
    Description: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare μή) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also οὐ μή, μῆκος.
    
14. Strong's Number: G2007
    There are 41 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐπιτίθημι
    Transliteration: epitíthēmi
    Pronunciation: ep-ee-tith'-ay-mee
    Description: from ἐπί and τίθημι; to impose (in a friendly or hostile sense):--add unto, lade, lay upon, put (up) on, set on (up), + surname, X wound.
    
15. Strong's Number: G1909
    There are 790 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐπί
    Transliteration: epí
    Pronunciation: ep-ee'
    Description: a primary preposition; properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e. over, upon, etc.; of rest (with the dative case) at, on, etc.; of direction (with the accusative case) towards, upon, etc.:--about (the times), above, after, against, among, as long as (touching), at, beside, X have charge of, (be-, (where-))fore, in (a place, as much as, the time of, -to), (because) of, (up-)on (behalf of), over, (by, for) the space of, through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), with. In compounds it retains essentially the same import, at, upon, etc. (literally or figuratively).
    
16. Strong's Number: G3087
    There are 11 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: λυχνία
    Transliteration: lychnía
    Pronunciation: lookh-nee'-ah
    Description: from λύχνος; a lamp-stand (literally or figuratively):--candlestick.