Let’s begin with a riddle – I’m found in a tunnel, at the end as they say, but I’m also in your home, brightening your day. I’m sure you got the answer: (spoiler) light. We began with a riddle because the next few verses in Mark are somewhat of a riddle themselves.
“He also said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket or under a bed? Isn’t it to be put on a lampstand? For there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed, and nothing concealed that will not be brought to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen.” And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear. By the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and more will be added to you. For whoever has, more will be given to him, and whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.” (Mark 4:21–25, CSB)
There are several puzzles to unwrap. Several phrases are used elsewhere among the Gospels and in different contexts. The phrasing in the original Greek about the lamp is unique to Mark and curious. On the surface, it seems that Mark jumbled up some of Jesus’ teaching recorded in Matthew and Luke. And yet, taken in context, it all makes sense.
Who or what is the lamp? The original Greek points to a definitive lamp that comes. An awkward phrasing that translators choose to smooth over. Some commentaries say that Jesus is the light that comes into the world to reveal what is concealed. The context of Mark is seeds being sown. In the preceding parable, the seed is the Word of God; in the following, the seed is the Kingdom of God. John’s Gospel may hold the key. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created.” (John 1:1–3, CSB) My take is that Jesus is the Word that reveals many things.
Jesus and the Word reveal the Kingdom of God. They also reveal the hidden things of our heart and what we try to hide from God. Jesus and the Word reveal truth that is not just to be heard but listened to and acted on.
The second section is marked by “And He said to them.” Pay attention to what you hear, Jesus began. That’s good advice. We should discern what we hear and what we are willing to listen to. Jesus then connects a formula also contained in Matthew and Luke, but with different inputs. “By the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and more will be added to you.” In Luke, the context is judgment, condemnation, and forgiveness. In Matthew, it is judgment. In Mark, Jesus is not as specific, so what does He mean?
The principle of the measure is similar to that of seeds. We plant a seed and harvest a greater amount of that same seed. What things do we hear and listen to? Those are like seeds in our hearts that grow into a harvest of like fruit. Sow judgment, unforgiveness, gossip, and discord will return a bitter fruit. Sow the Word of God, love, joy, and peace, and you will return an increasing harvest of sweet fruit.
- Mark – Listen Carefully - June 2, 2025
- Mark: Consider the Sower - May 28, 2025
- Mark – Family Matters - May 26, 2025
