The Parable of the Lamp Under a Bushel, found in Mark 4:21-25, is a short but profound teaching of Jesus, nestled within His broader message about the Kingdom of God. It immediately follows the Parable of the Sower and continues Jesus’ emphasis on spiritual receptivity, responsibility, and the progressive revelation of divine truth. While similar imagery appears in Matthew 5:14-16 and Luke 8:16-18, Mark’s account places this parable within the context of the unveiling of God’s Kingdom and the importance of faithfully stewarding His Word.
This parable illustrates that the truth of God’s Kingdom is meant to shine forth and grow clearer over time. It challenges every listener to consider how they receive and respond to the light of divine revelation—and warns that faithfulness will be rewarded, while neglect will result in loss.
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Explanation of the Parable
Jesus begins with a rhetorical question that would have resonated with His audience:
“Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don’t you put it on its stand?” (Mark 4:21)
In first-century Jewish homes, small clay oil lamps were a common feature. These lamps, fueled by olive oil, were essential for illuminating dark rooms. The idea of lighting a lamp and then covering it with a bowl or placing it under a bed would have been nonsensical—it would extinguish the lamp or, at best, waste its purpose.
Jesus uses this familiar image to illustrate the purpose of spiritual truth. The lamp represents the light of God’s Word, the revelation of the Kingdom of God, and Jesus’ own teaching. The message of the Kingdom was not given to be hidden or kept secret, but to shine forth and illuminate the darkness.
Jesus continues:
“For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open.” (Mark 4:22)
This statement highlights the progressive nature of divine revelation. During Jesus’ ministry, much was veiled in parables—truths hidden from the hard-hearted but accessible to those who truly sought God (Mark 4:11-12). Yet, these truths were never meant to remain concealed forever. In God’s perfect timing, the fullness of His Kingdom would be revealed—through Christ’s resurrection, the spread of the Gospel, and ultimately, the establishment of His Kingdom on earth.
Jesus then offers this solemn instruction:
“Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more.” (Mark 4:24)
Here, Jesus warns that the way we respond to truth determines how much more truth we will receive. Those who listen attentively, apply, and share what they have been given will be rewarded with greater insight. Conversely, those who are careless or indifferent will lose even the little understanding they once had:
“Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.” (Mark 4:25)
This principle echoes throughout Jesus’ teaching and emphasizes spiritual responsibility and stewardship.
Dispensational Interpretation
From a dispensational perspective, this parable fits within the progressive unveiling of the Kingdom program. At this stage in Jesus’ earthly ministry, the full nature of the Kingdom was still hidden to many. The message of the Kingdom was deliberately veiled in parables, as foretold in the Old Testament (Psalm 78:2), because Israel had largely rejected Jesus as Messiah (Matthew 13:10-15).
Yet, this concealed truth was never intended to remain hidden forever. In the future, especially during the Tribulation period, the light of the Kingdom message will shine brightly once more. The 144,000 Jewish evangelists (Revelation 7:4-8), the Two Witnesses (Revelation 11:3-12), and even an angel flying in midair (Revelation 14:6-7) will proclaim the Gospel of the Kingdom to the ends of the earth. The message that was once veiled will blaze with clarity, calling the world to repentance before Christ’s return.
The parable’s warning about hearing and applying truth also foreshadows Israel’s national experience. The religious leaders who rejected Jesus during His first coming were judged by their response. Their rejection led to spiritual blindness (Romans 11:7-10), while the faithful remnant and future believing Gentiles will be entrusted with greater revelation and blessing when the Kingdom is finally established.
Comparison to Apostolic Teaching
While the primary focus of this parable is the progressive revelation of the Kingdom to Israel, the principle of spiritual responsibility is echoed in the New Testament epistles.
Paul speaks of the light of God’s truth in 2 Corinthians 4:3-6, explaining that while the Gospel is veiled to those who are perishing, it shines brightly in the hearts of those who believe, revealing “the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.” In Ephesians 5:8-10, believers are called to “live as children of light,” reflecting the truth they have received.
James similarly stresses the connection between hearing and doing:
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” (James 1:22)
The measure we use—the degree to which we apply and share God’s Word—will determine the measure of spiritual blessing and understanding we receive.
Cultural and Historical Context
In first-century Jewish culture, light was a potent symbol of truth, purity, and God’s guidance. Psalm 119:105 declares, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Jesus’ audience would have immediately grasped the absurdity of lighting a lamp only to conceal it.
In daily life, light was precious in homes that had few windows or none at all. A lamp was placed on a stand to maximize its effect. Similarly, the Kingdom message was not given for a select few to hoard, but to be lifted high and shared with the world.
The idea of proportional judgment—“with the measure you use, it will be measured to you”—was a common principle in Jewish teaching. It underscored God’s justice: people are judged not just by what they know, but by what they do with what they know.
Application and Significance
The Parable of the Lamp Under a Bushel is a call to action. God’s truth is meant to shine, not be hidden. For Israel during Jesus’ ministry, this parable was an invitation to receive the Kingdom message and share it faithfully. For those in the Tribulation, it will be a reminder to proclaim the truth in the face of persecution and opposition.
For modern believers, though this parable was spoken in a Kingdom context, its message remains timeless: God’s Word is not for concealment but for proclamation. Each believer has the responsibility to apply what they have learned and to let God’s light shine in a dark world. Faithfulness in this brings greater understanding and blessing; neglect leads to loss.
The question Jesus leaves us with is clear: Are we letting the light of His truth shine, or are we hiding it under a bushel?
Conclusion
The Parable of the Lamp Under a Bushel reminds us that spiritual truth is meant to be shared. The Kingdom message, once hidden in mystery, will one day be fully revealed—and it is our responsibility to proclaim it boldly and live it faithfully.
Jesus’ challenge rings through the ages:
“Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” (Mark 4:23)
The time to act on His truth is now—before the light goes out.
Want to Go Deeper?
This post draws from my book, The Parables of Jesus: Covert Communication from the King (Grace and Knowledge Series, Book 7), where I explore the prophetic and dispensational significance of each parable in detail.
Read the full book on Amazon →
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New International Version (NIV)
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