Mark 4:21

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?

Mark 4:21 (KJV)

Context

Jesus speaks to a large crowd by the Sea of Galilee, soon after explaining the Parable of the Sower. He uses the familiar image of a lamp to teach about the purpose of His message and the responsibility of those who hear it.

Meaning

The Greek text uses the definite article with each noun, suggesting a single lamp, a single bushel, and a single bed in a humble home. The rhetorical question expects a common-sense answer: no one lights a lamp to hide it. A lamp is meant to give light, so it is placed on a stand. Likewise, the gospel is not to be concealed but shared openly.

Biblical connections

The same saying appears in Matthew 5:15 and Luke 8:16, where it is connected to believers letting their light shine before others. In Mark’s context, the disciples, who have received the explanation of the parables, are responsible for imparting that truth to others. The following verse, Mark 4:22, explains that nothing hidden is meant to remain hidden but is meant to be disclosed, connecting the lamp metaphor to the revelation of truth.

Application

Followers of Christ are called to let their received light shine openly. This may involve resisting the temptation to keep faith private or to downplay its significance in daily life. Practical steps include sharing personal testimony, living with integrity, and demonstrating Christ-like love in families, workplaces, and communities. The verse underscores the urgency of evangelism: to let our light shine means actively sharing the gospel through words and deeds, so that others are drawn to the source of the light.

Reflection

Consider whether any “bushel” or “bed” in your life is hiding the light you have received. Jesus’ teaching in parables was not meant to obscure truth but to illuminate it. As you read the surrounding verses in Mark 4, ask how you can place your light on a candlestick for all to see.