Mark 4:21,22

Is a candle brought, &c. candlestick?— Is a lamp, &c.—stand. Campbell. When Jesus had ended his interpretation of the parable of the sower, he did not direct his discourse to the people, but continued speaking to the apostles, shewing them, by the similitude of a lighted lamp, the use that they were to make of this, and ofall the instructions which he should give them. As lamps are kindled to give light unto those who are in a house; so the understandings of the apostles were illuminated, that they might fill the world with the light of truth. He told them further, that though some of the doctrinesof the Gospel were then concealed from the people, on account of their prejudices, he had revealed them to his apostles, that they might all in due time be preached openly and plainly through the world; for which reason it became his apostles, to whom God had given both a capacity and an opportunity of hearing these doctrines, to listen to them with attention.