The verse Mark 4:21 states “And he said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand?” (ESV). This verse comes from a section in the Gospel of Mark where Jesus is teaching in parables. The lamp or light being referenced here represents the light of the gospel message that Jesus brought.
There are a few key reasons why Jesus uses this imagery of a lamp under a basket in this verse:
- A lamp gives light and Jesus came to bring the light of truth into the world (John 1:4-9). His teaching and message were meant to illuminate people’s lives.
- Putting a lamp under a basket would conceal and stifle its light. Jesus intends his message to be spread openly and publicly, not hidden away.
- Lamps in those days would typically be put up high on a lampstand to maximize the area lit. Jesus wants his message shared far and wide not kept secret.
- Light under a basket would be useless. Jesus came to be useful and fruitful in bringing light to the world, not hidden and unproductive (Matthew 5:14-16).
Overall, Jesus uses this brief analogy to emphasize that the gospel message he brought is meant to be made known openly and publicly. It should spread far and wide, not be concealed. His teaching and message are meant to illuminate and there would be no purpose in hiding such revelatory light under a basket. Instead, Christ intends for his message to be heralded throughout the world, like a lamp placed up high for all to see.
This verse connects closely with Jesus’ statement earlier in Mark 4:11 “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God…” (ESV). Jesus revealed divine truths to his disciples but intended for those secrets to then be made known and spread, not kept hidden. He did not come to conceal the light but rather to bring illumination into the world.
A few chapters later in Mark 16:15 Jesus commissions his followers “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation” (ESV). So believers are called to spread the light of Christ far and wide, not hide it away. Just as a lamp lit up a house in ancient times, the gospel message is meant to shine light into the far corners of the earth, dispelling darkness and bringing truth.
In summary, Mark 4:21 uses the analogy of a lamp under a basket to teach that:
- Jesus came to bring the illuminating light of truth into the world
- His gospel message was meant to be spread openly and publicly, far and wide
- The truths Christ revealed were not meant to be concealed but to give light
- Believers should let their light shine before others, spreading the gospel
- Jesus intends his message to reach across the earth, not be hidden away
The imagery of a lamp, basket, lampstand connect back to Jesus being the light of the world (John 8:12). As the true light, he came to bring the light of revelation, truth, and salvation through the gospel. This light is too precious to be hidden away but is meant to give light to all people everywhere if they would believe. Mark 4:21 uses a simple household analogy to convey this vital aspect of Christ’s purpose and call for all believers.
The Immediate Context and Setting of Mark 4:21
Looking at the surrounding context gives helpful insight into this verse and why Jesus spoke of not hiding a lamp under a basket.
In Mark 4, Jesus is by the Sea of Galilee, teaching large crowds through parables (Mark 4:1-2). These parables included the sower and soils, the lamp under a basket, the growing seed, and the mustard seed.
After telling the parable of the sower, Jesus says to his disciples in Mark 4:11-12 (ESV):
To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables, so that “they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand, lest they should turn and be forgiven.”
Here Jesus indicates that the insights and truths he is teaching through parables are meant to be understood by his disciples but remain somewhat concealed to unbelievers. The parables could only be properly understood through faith in Christ.
Yet immediately after explaining this, Jesus says in Mark 4:21-22 (ESV):
And he said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand? For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light.
So Jesus indicates that while the meaning of his parables may be partially hidden for now, their meaning and the truths they contain will ultimately be fully made known. The light of Christ was not meant to remain permanently concealed but to eventually shine openly.
In the original context, Jesus was hinting that after his death and resurrection, the full meaning of his words and identity would become clear to all. The lamp of divine truth was being covered only for a time. In the broader application, these verses indicate that Jesus did not intend for the gospel message to remain confined merely to Galilee or Judea. It was meant to spread across the earth to illuminate the minds and hearts of all people.
Explanations of Key Details in Mark 4:21
Why a Lamp or Light?
As noted earlier, Jesus frequently uses light as a metaphor for spiritual truth, insight, revelation, and teaching. He identified himself as “the light of the world” (John 8:12) and the revealer of the Father (Matthew 11:27). When Jesus refers to a lamp in Mark 4:21, this represents his message which brings illumination from God into the world darkened by sin, falsehood, and ignorance.
Why Under a Basket?
A basket in Jewish homes would typically be woven from straw or wicker. It would be used for storing bread or fruit. However, it would not fully conceal a lamp or fully block its light. The purpose of this analogy was mainly to indicate that a lamp placed under a basket fails to fulfill its intended purpose. The image shows that Jesus did not come merely for his light and message to be partially obscured or confined merely to a small area.
Why Not on a Stand?
In ancient Jewish homes, lamps were typically placed up high on a lampstand so their light could fill the room. Households largely relied on the lamp for light at night. Positioning it high on a stand allowed maximum illumination from the single lamp. Jesus uses this common household object to indicate that his teaching is meant to give maximum light and fill the world, not be hidden away.
What is the Meaning of Mark 4:22?
The next verse Mark 4:22 further develops Jesus’ analogy: “For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light.” Here Jesus indicates that in due time, all that seems obscure or hidden will eventually be fully revealed and come to light.
While Jesus’ full identity was somewhat veiled during his earthly ministry, after his resurrection and the giving of the Holy Spirit, the early Christians shone the light of the gospel across the Roman Empire and as far as India. They lived out Mark 4:21 by spreading the message far and wide. Through their witness “nothing [remained] hidden except to be made manifest.”
Applying This Verse More Broadly
Looking beyond the immediate context, Mark 4:21 contains an important principle for believers sharing their faith:
The light of the gospel message is meant to shine clearly and broadly, not be concealed or confined.
Just as a lamp in a room gives light to all present, the light of the gospel is intended to give spiritual sight to as many people as possible. It brings illumination to every corner of life. This has several applications:
- Believers should share the gospel openly and spread it broadly not hide it away.
- Churches should be welcoming places that accommodate all who want to come and hear the message.
- Ministries and missionaries should strive to spread the light of the gospel to as many nations and ethnic groups as they can reach.
- Translating Scripture into every tongue helps remove barriers to people hearing its light.
- Using media technology allows the message to spread quickly like never before.
- Television, radio, computers, tablets, phones can help shine the light to people we may never meet or reach in person.
- Social laws and norms should allow people freedom to share the gospel message openly.
- No one should ever be coerced or forced into a faith, but barriers that unnecessarily restrict the free spread of the gospel message should be questioned.
- New believers are like a lamp lit up and should share with others.
The light of Christ was not meant to remain confined merely to one small geographic area, hidden under a basket. Nor is it meant to remain confined within church walls. This short verse in Mark succinctly captures Jesus’ intent for the message to go global. Just as he sent his disciples out to start this mission in the 1st century, he sends out all believers in each generation to spread the light of the gospel far and wide by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Mark 4:21 in the Context of Mark’s Gospel
Looking more broadly at the Gospel of Mark, this verse fits with major themes that run through the book:
- Mark stresses Jesus’ role as the Suffering Servant who gives his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45).
- He is the promised Messiah and Son of God (Mark 1:1, 14:61-62).
- Jesus speaks with great authority in his teaching (Mark 1:22).
- He has authority over sickness, demons, nature, sin, and death.
- Jesus speaks in parables but also explains their meaning to his disciples.
- He repeatedly tells recipients of his miracles and teaching to tell others.
- There is urgency and immediacy in Jesus’ words and actions.
- Jesus trained disciples to carry on his mission after his ascension.
Mark 4:21 fits with these themes by indicating that Jesus’ true identity and mission could not remain permanently obscure. After his resurrection, the gospel message shone like a newly lit lamp, giving light across the world through his disciples empowered by the Spirit. The good news of salvation by grace through faith was too transformative not to take across every land.
Interpretation History and Variant Readings of Mark 4:21
Throughout church history, Bible scholars and commentators have interpreted the lamp under a basket analogy in Mark 4:21 in a similar metaphorical way:
- Origen (c. 184-253 AD) referred to the shining lamp of Jesus’ teaching that should not remain hidden. (1)
- Augustine (354-430 AD) saw the lamp as representing Christ and noted “neither did He hide Himself away for men’s salvation but placed Himself upon the candlestick of the cross.” (2)
- The Venerable Bede (673-735 AD) said Jesus “did not conceal the grace of everlasting light under the veil of His mortal flesh.” (3)
- John Calvin (1509-1564 AD) said “Christ intimated that it would be an unbecoming and absurd thing, if the light of the Gospel were not set up on high, so as to spread its rays everywhere.” (4)
- John Wesley (1703-1791 AD) concurred saying: “As the Light, so the Candle which bears this Light is not to be concealed, but set on a Candlestick.” (5)
- Modern commentators take a similar metaphorical view, with the lamp representing Christ or the gospel message.
There are no major textual variants affecting the interpretation of Mark 4:21. The verse has consistently said in Greek “ouch erchetai ho lychnos” meaning “does not come the lamp” followed by “hina hypocath okou the,” translated as “in order to be placed under a basket.” So translators and interpreters through history worked from manuscripts containing this same wording.
Relevance for Today
For believers today, Mark 4:21 continues to offer helpful insight and application:
- It encourages boldness and openness in sharing our faith, instead of hiding it away out of fear of what others may think.
- It reminds us Christ intends the gospel to spread across geographic, ethnic, linguistic, and cultural barriers to reach diverse groups.
- It inspires innovative use of technology and media to shine the light broadly.
- It warns against insular churches that make little effort to shine light into their community or overseas.
- It teaches Christ’s message must keep moving outward to each generation and corner of the planet.
This simple verse uses imagery from everyday first century life to convey a powerful and lasting mission – take the gospel light across the world boldly and openly. We honor Jesus by ensuring the message he brought continues spreading to illuminate hearts and minds everywhere for centuries to come until he returns.
Conclusion
Mark 4:21 uses the analogy of a lamp under a basket to teach that the gospel message Jesus brought is meant to be spread openly and publicly, far and wide across the earth. It is not intended to remain confined or hidden away from people needing its spiritual light. Jesus modeled taking his message beyond merely Galilee and Judea across social, religious, and ethnic barriers to Samaritans, Romans, and Gentiles. He calls believers today likewise to shine the light broadly using every means possible in dependence on the Holy Spirit. Though Jesus taught partially in veiled parables, he fully intended for their meaning to later come to light. Mark captures Jesus’ global vision that the gospel permeate every land to dispel darkness and illuminate all who believe by beautifully conveying it in a simple agrarian metaphor that resonated intuitively with original readers familiar with first century houses and lamps.