¶ 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?
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}?
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?
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?
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?
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Matthew 5:15
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. -
Luke 11:33
No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth [it] in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light. -
Luke 8:16
No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth [it] under a bed; but setteth [it] on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light. -
Isaiah 60:1
¶ Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. -
Isaiah 60:3
And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. -
Ephesians 5:3
¶ But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; -
Ephesians 5:15
See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
In Mark 4:21, Jesus uses a simple, yet profound, rhetorical question to illustrate a fundamental principle about the nature of truth and revelation. This verse serves as a crucial interpretative key for understanding His parables and the kingdom of God.
Context
This statement is part of a series of parables and teachings Jesus delivered by the Sea of Galilee, primarily to His disciples but also to a larger crowd. It immediately follows the Parable of the Sower and its subsequent explanation to the disciples (Mark 4:10-20). The verses that follow (Mark 4:22-25) reinforce the idea that what is hidden will eventually be revealed, and that understanding leads to greater revelation.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Greek word for "candle" is lychnos, which refers to a lamp, typically an oil lamp, the primary source of artificial light in ancient homes. The "bushel" (Greek: modios) was a dry measure, often a large basket or container used for grain, which would effectively extinguish or completely obscure the lamp's light. The "candlestick" (Greek: lychnia) is a lampstand, designed specifically to elevate the lamp so its light can spread throughout the room. The rhetorical nature of Jesus' question highlights the absurdity of hiding something meant to illuminate.
Practical Application
Mark 4:21 challenges believers to consider how they are living out their faith. Are we hiding the "light" of Christ within us—our gifts, our testimonies, our understanding of the Gospel—due to fear, apathy, or a desire for personal comfort? Or are we purposefully placing it "on a candlestick," allowing our lives and words to shine God's truth into a dark world? This verse encourages us to be bold witnesses, letting our good works and the message of salvation be seen, so that others may glorify God (Matthew 5:16).