Mark 4:21-23

C. THE PARABLE OF THE LAMP 4:21-23
TEXT 4:21-23

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? For there is nothing hid, save that it should be manifested; neither was anything made secret, but that it should come to light. If any man hath ears to hear, let him hear.

THOUGHT QUESTIONS 4:21-23

177.

When was this parable given? before or after the explanation of the parable of the sower?

178.

Who is represented by the lamp?

179.

Isn-'t there something humorous about the location of the lamp? Why use it?

180.

Jesus states a strange purpose for hiding somethingexplain.

181.

What is the main point of this parable?

COMMENT

TIMEAutumn A.D. 28. At the same time as the first parable.
PLACEIn a boat in the Sea of Galilee, the crowd on the shore.

PARALLEL ACCOUNTLuke 8:16-17.

OUTLINE1. The purpose of the lamp, Mark 4:21. Mark 4:2. Items are hidden for the purpose of later being revealed, Mark 4:22, a. Mark 4:3. Secrets are made to be told, Mark 4:22 b. Mark 4:4. Those who can should understand, Mark 4:23.

ANALYSIS

I.

THE PURPOSE OF THE LAMP, Mark 4:21.

1.

Not under the bushel.

2.

Not under the bed.

3.

On the stand.

II.

ITEMS ARE HIDDEN TO BE REVEALED. Mark 4:22 A.

III.

SECRETS ARE MADE TO BE TOLD, Mark 4:22 B.

IV.

THOSE WHO CAN SHOULD UNDERSTAND, Mark 4:23.

EXPLANATORY NOTES

I.

THE PURPOSE OF THE LAMP, Mark 4:21.

21. And he said unto them, Is a (or the) candle brought to be put under, etc.

22. For there is nothing hid which shall not be manifested-'-' (or, save that it should be manifested).

These verses must be taken together, and their meaning seems to be something of this sort. The Lord had for certain wise, and, we believe, merciful reasons, adopted a new role of teaching, in which He veiled His meaning from the multitude under parables, but this was not because He intended their meaning to be permanently hidden from the world, but because He intended that it might be the better known to the world when the fitting time was come. To his end He made known the interpretation to His Apostles, not for themselves, but for the world. His truththe truth of the Gospelwas the lamp; this lamp of truth He intended not for a corner of the world, or for a select few, but for all men of all nations, who would turn their faces towards it and receive it, and so He gave it now to the Apostles, who, after Pentecost, were to make it known to all nations for the obedience of faith.

II.

ITEMS ARE HIDDEN TO BE REVEALED. Mark 4:22 A.

God does not conceal any mystery, any religious truth, merely for the sake of concealing it. If He conceals any truth it is that He may ultimately make it better known. This very parable is an illustration of this, If any truth ever shone forth upon the lamp-stand ofthe Church it is that which is taught us by this parable, that the word of the Gospel is efficacious or not, according to the state of heart of the recipients; so that men must in very deed take heed as to how they hear and what they hear. This meaning is still more clearly enforced by the true reading of the first clause of Mark 4:22. There is nothing hidden, save that it should be manifested. So we have this parable given in full in three out of the four Gospels, and we may safely say that, with the exception of that of the returning prodigal, there is none which has been more expounded and enforced by preachers in all ages. The meaning, however, of Mark 4:21, is much obscured by deficiency of translation. We lose much of the significance if we think of the modern candle and candlestick carried about in the hand. On the contrary, it is the lamp of the house put upon the lamp-stand, or candelabrum, which is so elevated that any lamp upon it can lighten up all the interior.

III.

SECRETS ARE MADE TO BE TOLD. Mark 4:22 B.

The reader will notice that the Lord uses this aphorism here with quite a different significance to that which He gives to it in Matthew 10:26.

IV.

THOSE WHO CAN SHOULD UNDERSTAND. Mark 4:23

23. If any man have ears to hear, etc. If this was said not in the hearing of the multitude, but to the Apostles, or to those select ones to whom He had just expounded the parable, then it implies that there are still deeper mysteries of grace which require, for their apprehension, a more effectual opening of the soul's ears, and a deeper preparation of heart. Men have ears to hear certain fundamental, or practical truths, who still have not as yet ears to hear certain deep mysteries. (M. F. Sadler).

FACT QUESTIONS 4:21-23

210.

Why interpret Mark 4:21-22 together?

211.

What is the lamp of the parable?

212.

When was the lamp hidden? Why?

213.

When was it put on the stand?

214.

Show how this parable relates to the parable of the sower.

215.

What deficiency in translation has hindered our understanding?

216.

If Jesus spoke Mark 4:23 to the apostles, what does it mean?