(21) And he said unto them, is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick? (22) For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was anything kept secret, but that it should come abroad. (23) If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. (24) And he saith unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. (25) For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.
Our LORD, according to the Eastern method of instruction, dwelt much in figures and parables. We have a cluster of them here. The Gospel is as a light not to be hidden. Even among men the small taper of the night is never put under a covering. So the LORD will manifest his truths to his people. To them there is nothing hidden; neither is there anything in the covenant of grace necessary for them to know, but what shall be made known to them. And, therefore, if any man hath his ears spiritually opened to hear, he shall hear. But to the unawakened, everything must appear a Parable. And, saith our LORD, even to those whose ears are spiritually opened, still it is necessary to take heed what ye hear. No doubt, alluding to what the LORD elsewhere cautioned his people against, false CHRIST's, and false prophets, which should come so speciously, that, if it were possible, they would deceive even the very elect. See Matthew 24:23-26
I do not think with some Commentators, that these words, with what measure ye mete it shall be measured to you, refer to our dealings with men in our concerns with one another: for the LORD is speaking of our hearing the word. Neither do I think with others, that it hath reference to our dealings with GOD. As we deal with GOD, so say such, will GOD deal with us. In answer to which I say, the LORD forbid; for it would be our ruin indeed if so! But I humbly conceive, the words which follow explain the meaning; when it is said, And unto you that hear shall more be given: that is; if I apprehend right, in our dealings with ourselves; if the measure we mete with, according to the measure of the gift of CHRIST, of grace given to us, our spiritual understandings enable us to mete it in improvement; to you, that so hear, saith JESUS, more shall be given. For to him that hath; that is, that hath an awakened soul, by GOD the HOLY SPIRIT to measure it, more shall be given. His vessel, opened and enlarged by grace, shall be filled. But to him that hath not; that is, where there hath been no work of GOD wrought upon the soul, from him shall be taken away even that which he hath; that is, of the outward ministry of the word. I do not presume to speak decidedly on the passage. I only humbly give the above as my view of it.