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?
Parallel translations
- WEB He said to them, “Is the lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Isn’t it put on a stand?
- BSB 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?
- NKJV Also 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?
- NASB And He was saying to them, “A lamp is not brought to be put under a basket, or under a bed, is it? Is it not brought to be put on the lampstand?
- NLT Then Jesus asked them, “Would anyone light a lamp and then put it under a basket or under a bed? Of course not! A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light will shine.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
A lamp is meant to be set on a stand, not hidden. It matters because it teaches that the kingdom's truth, now partly veiled, is destined to be revealed.
Overview
Jesus uses the lamp to show that what is hidden in parables is meant ultimately to give light. The truth of the kingdom and of his identity will not stay concealed but will shine forth. This encourages disciples that the gospel entrusted to them is to be displayed openly, not hidden away.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 7
- Matt 5:15Neither 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 11:33No 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 8:16No 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.
- Isa 60:1–3Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.
- Eph 5:3–15But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
- 1 Cor 12:7But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
- Phil 2:15–16That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Mark drives urgently to the cross, showing Jesus the Son of God as the suffering Servant who 'came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.'
How Mark 4:21 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.