Mark 4:21 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Mark 4:21-34

The lessons which our Saviour designs to teach us here by parables and figurative expressions are these:? I. That those who are good ought to consider the obligations they are under to do good; that is, as in the parable before, to bring forth fruit. God expects a grateful return of his gifts to us, and a useful improvement of his gifts in us; for (Mark 4:21), Isa. a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? No, but that it may be set on a candlestick. The apostles were... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Mark 4:21

4:21 This was one of Jesus' sayings: "Surely a lamp is not brought in to be put under a peck measure or under the bed? It is not brought in to be set upon a lamp stand?" Mark 4:21-25 are interesting because they show the problems that confronted the writers of the gospels. These verses give us four different sayings of Jesus. In Mark 4:21 there is the saying about the lamp. In Mark 4:22 there is the saying about the revealing of secret things. In Mark 4:24 there is the saying which... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Mark 4:21

And he said unto them ,.... At the same time, after he had explained the parable of the sower; for though the following parabolical and proverbial expressions were delivered by Christ at other, and different times, and some of them twice, as related by other evangelists; yet they might be all of them expressed or repeated at this time, by our Lord, showing why he explained the above parable to his disciples; and that though he delivered the mysteries of the Gospel in parables to them that... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Mark 4:21

Is a candle - put under a bushel! - The design of my preaching is to enlighten men; my parables not being designed to hide the truth, but to make it more manifest. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 4:1-25

The duty of faithfully hearing the Word. H e who taught by every act of his life, and who had already given many most important lessons with his lips, now, after the interruptions just recorded, "began to teach" more formally. It was "by the seaside," the multitude standing "by the sea on the land," and he "entered into a boat, and sat in the sea." "He taught them many things in parables." The first of these and one of the chief of the parables and the chiefest of all on the subject of "... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 4:10-25

The lamp of parabolic teaching. Probably the opposition, malignity, and misrepresentation of the scribes and Pharisees were the occasion of the commencement by our Lord of a new style of public teaching. He did not wish at present to excite so much turmoil and violence as should lead to the interruption of his ministry. His design was to introduce into men's minds new ideas of the spiritual reign of God—ideas altogether in contradiction to their own carnal notions and hopes. He knew,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 4:21

Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, etc.? The Greek is ὁ λύχνος , and is better rendered the lamp. The figure is recorded by St. Matthew ( Matthew 5:15 ) as used by our Lord in his sermon on the mount. It is evident that he repeated his sayings, and used them sometimes in a different connection. The lamp is here the light of Divine truth, shining in the person of Christ. Is the lamp brought to be put under the bushel ? It comes to us. The light in our souls is not of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 4:21-22

Revelation and not concealment the final purpose of the truth. I. THIS APPEARS FROM : 1 . Its very nature. That which reveals ( e.g. light) is not to be itself hidden. Its whole tendency is and has been towards greater manifestation. Each revelation of God has been grandee than that which preceded. 2 . Its central significance in the Divine economy. It has evidently a practical relation to the whole, just as "the lamp" had to the peasant's room, as the general means of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 4:21-25

The use of the spirit. I. THE FACULTIES OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT COMPARED TO LIGHT . We may take any division of them we please: intellectual, emotional, volitional; head, heart, hand;—the comparison holds good. 1 . Light is cheering, so is intellect; sound reasoning, bright fancy, lambent wit, genial humor, sound knowledge. 2 . With light goes heat. The sound head is generally associated with the large heart. Carlyle said that a great heart was the foundation of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 4:21-25

Parallel passage: Luke 8:16-18 .— Light and illumination. I. TEMPORARY OBSCURATION . The heathens in their mysteries had esoteric doctrines only made known to the initiated, and not designed to be revealed at any time to the uninitiated. The obscuration in their case was permanent. Our Lord, at a particular period of his ministry and for a special purpose, veiled his teaching in parable. But this obscuration was only meant to continue for a time. Our Lord guards against the... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Mark 4:21-34

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Mark 4:21

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Mark 4:21

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Mark 4:21

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 4:1-25

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 4:10-25

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 4:21

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 4:21-22

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 4:21-25

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 4:21-25

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