Mark 4:21-25

²¹ Also He said to them, “Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand?

²² For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light.

²³ If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”

²⁴ Then He said to them, “Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given.

²⁵ For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.”

Also found in Luke 8:16-18.

The question in v.21 is phrased to expect a negative answer.

basket (v.21) = bushel, a dry measure holding about a peck

bed (v.21) = from the word for “to incline,” referring to the reclining couch placed next to a dining table.

To put the lamp under a peck measure, would put out the flame, and it would give no light. To put it under a reclining couch would set it on fire. … True to His uniform teaching that privileges are to be used for the benefit of others, Jesus tells His disciples that if they have more insight than the multitude, they must employ it for the common benefit. These sentences in mark represent the first special instruction of the disciples. — Wuest, page 90.

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[Christ] says that things are hidden in order that they may be manifested. Concealment is a means to revelation. … The temporary concealment is for final manifestation and a means to an end. Those who are charged with the secret at this time, are given the set responsibility of proclaiming it on the housetops after [His] ascension. The word “manifested” is the translation of [a word meaning] “to make manifest or visible or known what has been hidden or unknown.” — Wuest, page 90.

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If (v.23) — The “if” here is not the conditional particle ean which introduces a future, unfulfilled, hypothetical condition, but ei, the particle of a fulfilled condition. The point is, they had ears with which to hear. Therefore, they ought to use them. — Wuest, page 90.

more (v.24) — More, above and beyond what is due

The more a man thinks, the more he will understand, and the less a man thinks, the less his power of understanding will become. … [To the man who pays attention], knowledge will be given him, and from him who [doesn’t pay attention], the seed of knowledge will be taken. For as diligence causes the seed to grow, negligence destroys it. — Wuest, page 91.