Parable · Mark 4:21-25
The Lamp Under a Bowl
Nobody lights a lamp and hides it. Lamps go on stands.
Also called The Lamp on a Stand, A City on a Hill
The point
The reason given is not duty. It is that hidden things are going to come out anyway.
21Jesus also said to them, “Does anyone bring in a lamp to put it under a basket or under a bed? Doesn’t he set it on a stand?
22For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be brought to light.
23If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”
24He went on to say, “Pay attention to what you hear. With the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and even more will be added to you.
25For whoever has will be given more. But whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.”
Berean Standard Bible, public domain. Read the whole chapter
Told again in other gospels
The same parable, recorded differently. The differences are worth reading, not smoothing over.
Matthew 5:14-16Read the chapter
14You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they set it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Luke 8:16-18Read the chapter
16No one lights a lamp and covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, he sets it on a stand, so those who enter can see the light.
17For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be made known and brought to light.
18Pay attention, therefore, to how you listen. Whoever has will be given more, but whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken away from him.”
Using this at church
For a newsletter or sermon notes
The parable of the Lamp Under a Bowl, explained in plain words. Nobody lights a lamp and hides it. Lamps go on stands. https://freescripture.org/parables/lamp-under-a-bowl/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church
More on counting the cost
The Wise and Foolish Builders Two houses, one on rock and one on sand. The same storm hits both.Counting the Cost A man builds a tower without pricing it out. A king marches to war outnumbered.The Barren Fig Tree An owner wants to cut down a tree that has not fruited in three years. The gardener asks for one more year.New Wine in Old Wineskins You do not patch old cloth with new, or pour new wine into brittle old skins.