Mark 4:21
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
And he said to them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?
American King James Version (AKJV)
And he said to them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?
American Standard Version (ASV)
And he said unto them, Is the lamp brought to be put under the bushel, or under the bed, and not to be put on the stand?
Basic English Translation (BBE)
And he said to them, When the light comes in, do people put it under a vessel, or under the bed, and not on its table?
Webster's Revision
And he said to them, Is a candle brought to be put under a close vessel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?
World English Bible
He said to them, "Is the lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Isn't it put on a stand?
English Revised Version (ERV)
And he said unto them, Is the lamp brought to be put under the bushel, or under the bed, and not to be put on the stand?
Definitions for Mark 4:21
Clarke's Mark 4:21 Bible Commentary
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.
Barnes's Mark 4:21 Bible Commentary
Is a candle brought ... - A candle is not lit up to be put immediately under a measure or a bed, where it can give no light. Its design is to give light. So my preaching by parables is not designed to obscure the truth, but to throw light on it. You should understand those parables, and, understanding them, should impart the truth to others also, as a candle throws its beams upon a dark world.
Bushel - The word here used in the original means a measure for grain containing about 12 quarts.
Bed - A couch, either to sleep on at night or to recline on at their meals. Probably the latter is here meant, and is equivalent to our saying a candle is not brought to be put "under" the table, but "on" it. See the notes at Matthew 23:6.
Wesley's Mark 4:21 Bible Commentary
4:21 And he said, Is a candle - As if he had said, I explain these things to you, I give you this light, not to conceal, but to impart it to others. And if I conceal any thing from you now, it is only that it may be more effectually manifested hereafter. Matthew 5:15 ; Lu 8:16; 11:33.
