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Mark 4:21
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19 and the acares of this world, bthe deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.  
20 But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word,1 accept it, and bear afruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.”  

Light Under a Basket

21 aAlso 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?  
22 aFor there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light.  
23 aIf anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”  
24 Then He said to them, “Take heed what you hear. aWith the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given.  
25 aFor whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.”  
Commentaries:
Forerunner Commentary
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What Does Mark 4:21 Mean?



Mark 4:21

"Lamp" (NKJ) or "candle" (KJV) means any portable light, as a lamp, candle, or lantern. Jesus shows the disciples that He had enlightened them so that others might also see the light and benefit from it. When a person lights a lamp, he does not conceal the light but places it where it may be of use. So it is with God's way of life and those who follow it. God gives His truth to us to benefit others. It should not be concealed but show itself in stark contrast to the wicked world, thereby exposing and instructing it. If a light is concealed, as under a basket, no one benefits from it. However, considerate people place a lamp so that its benefits reach all who are in the house.

Martin G. Collins
Parable of the Light



Mark 4:21

In the Parable of the Light recorded in Matthew 5:14-16 (found also in Mark 4:21; Luke 8:16-17; 11:33-36), Jesus Christ uses two figures of speech to express the responsibility of true Christians to influence the world: "a city . . . on a hill" and "a lamp . . . on a lampstand."

Many Judean cities were founded on the summits or sides of mountains, and travelers could see them from afar. Perhaps Jesus pointed to such a city, telling His disciples that they were like it. The city built on an important location can be seen by many eyes over a wide area, representing a disciple's far-ranging and widespread exposure to others.

Jesus' illustration of a shining lamp illuminating the home suggests a disciple's more intimate influence. By design, a Christian's actions cannot be hidden from the eyes of either our families or the world at large. This being the case, he must live a righteous, holy, humble, and pure life, letting his "light so shine before men [and thus] . . . glorify your Father in heaven."

Martin G. Collins
Parable of the Light



Mark 4:14-26

When the gospel of the coming Kingdom of God is preached in all the world as a witness (Matthew 24:14), the ears that hear it are not always receptive of this priceless knowledge. In the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:3-8, 19-23; Mark 4:3-9, 14-26; Luke 8:4-8, 11-15), Jesus reveals why, using three component elements: the sower, the seed, and the soils.

This parable describes what happens after the seed is sown, the different types of soils on which it falls, and the resultant effects. The parable's focus is not on the sower as much as on the various soils. Nevertheless, the sower—Jesus Christ (Matthew 13:37)—is not incidental, for without Him there could be no sowing and thus no possibility of fruit being produced.

Martin G. Collins
Parable of the Sower


 
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