Mark 4:21-23 21And he said to them, “Does a lamp come to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not put on a stand? 22For there is nothing hidden except that it might be revealed; and nothing is secret except that it might come to be evident. 23If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”
After setting out the fundamental choice in the parable of the four soils, Jesus tells a series of short parables that provide models for how the kingdom of God will grow and what it means to be part of it. Jesus introduces the next parable with a rhetorical question that has the obvious answer: “of course not.” Who would put a lamp in a place where its light will not shine? Jesus chooses objects that were in most people’s homes at that time. The type of lamp would have been made of clay and held a small amount of oil and a wick. Many such lamps have been dug up by archaeologists. After the sun went down, this lamp would provide the only source of light. Why have a lamp if you are not going to use it?
The purpose of a lamp is to produce light, just as the purpose of a seed is to produce another plant. When the light shines, the darkness flees. The intended application of these verses is not clear. We have to look at the context where the topic is about making the word of the good news of God’s kingdom clear to people. Those with listening ears who put their faith in Jesus will come to understand the message. Jesus came to proclaim the message and to point people to the way of salvation. To be a fruitful disciple (verse 20) necessitates being open and ready to receive its claim and act on its promises. Jesus is inviting his disciples to think deeply about what they are hearing. This chapter records his teaching about the revelation of the kingdom. Later, he will call them to follow the way of the cross. It would take time for them to begin to understand the cost of following Jesus. Why would they pay the cost? Because of the promise eternal life in God’s kingdom.
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