The Hidden Truth Is Meant To Be Revealed and Experienced (4:21-23).
The sayings in this next section are repeated in Matthew and Luke in different contexts. This reminds us that, as with all preachers, Jesus would in His ministry use the same illustrations again and again, even sometimes with different emphases depending on context. See for example, Matthew 5:15; Matthew 7:2; Matthew 10:26; Matthew 13:12; Matthew 25:29; Luke 6:38; Luke 8:16-18; Luke 12:48; Luke 19:26. A good illustration is always worth repeating.
Note how the words here balance out those in Mark 4:11-12. There the problem was those who heard and did not understand, here it is those who see and do not perceive. The idea is very similar to that in the parallel of the sower. The difference lies in that there the emphasis was on the condition of the receptor, here the emphasis is on what the receptor does with what he receives.
Analysis.
a And he said to them, “Does the lamp come to be put under the corn measure, or under the bed, and not to be put on the stand?” (Mark 4:21).
b “For there is nothing hidden except for the purpose of it being openly revealed” (Mark 4:22 a).
b “Neither was anything made secret but that it should come to light” (Mark 4:22 b).
a “If any man has ears to hear, let him hear” (Mark 4:23).
Note that in ‘a' the lamp is put on the stand so that men may see by it, and in the parallel the one who has ears to hear, must hear. In ‘b' we have two comparisons which parallel each other demonstrating that God's purpose for His secrets is that they might come out into the open and be understood.
‘And he said to them, “Does the lamp come to be put under the corn measure, or under the bed, and not to be put on the stand? For there is nothing hidden except for the purpose of it being openly revealed, neither was anything made secret but that it should come to light. If any man has ears to hear, let him hear.” '
The picture is a straightforward one. It is growing dark and the small house is therefore in growing darkness, and then the master of the house takes and trims the lamp and brings it in. And what does he do with it? Hide it under the bed - dim light? Put it under the corn measure - no light? Or put it on the lampstand - light for all? He could do any of these but the real purpose is to lighten the house. (There could of course be a time when it was prudent to hide the light or make it dim).
The point of these words is that God does not want His truth to remain a secret. He want all to know and understand it. It is not due to His failure that the truth is not known, it is because of what men do with it when they receive it. Some put it under a bucket, others put it under the bed, but the wise put it where all may see it, and where they can benefit from the light. In two cases it may as well not have been there, but in the third case it is life transforming. The point therefore is that when His word comes to us we must use it wisely and not hide it away where it is ineffective.
An interesting question here is as to whether these words are spoken to those who have sought Him out to find out the significance of the parable, or to the crowds at large. The former situation makes more sense and makes clear why there is no contradiction between this statement and the fact that parables were a veiled form of teaching. The words ‘to them' support this suggestion. Contrast Mark 4:26; Mark 4:30. Matthew and Luke have the words in a different context (Matthew 5:15; Luke 11:33) and Luke in the same context (Luke 8:16-18).
The truth was that parables were both intended to require thought and be puzzling and yet at the same time to be illuminating to those who solved the puzzle, and the latter was finally their purpose. The lamp was intended to shine out, not to be hidden under a corn measure. The hiding may be necessary to prevent superficial response, but it was not the final purpose. Things were hidden so that at the right time they might be openly revealed. God's secrets were intended eventually to come to light. By this Jesus was encouraging these seekers not to be deterred but to go on seeking. God did want them to know the truth in full. He wanted the light to shine.
‘Does the lamp come --?' ‘Come' is an unusual verb for a lamp. This suggests that Jesus wanted them to see that He had ‘come' as a lamp (compare John 8:12) and wanted to make Himself known, but only to the discerning viewer and with great care. Like the parables He was a mystery, being made known to those who responded.
‘For there is nothing hidden except that it should be openly revealed.' This stresses that indeed for a time the lamp is hidden, but only so that it might be openly revealed to those willing to see at the right time. This was a time of spiritual enlightenment. Here the shining of the lamp may have in mind the word of the Kingly Rule of God which was now here and was slowly being revealed to men and women as their eyes and ears were opened, or it may have in mind the truth about Jesus Himself as His self-revelation continues. Both are, of course, simply aspects of the same wonderful truth.
‘If any man has ears to hear, let him hear.' Compare Mark 4:9. Again Jesus stresses the need for men to listen and consider carefully. There are those open to hear. There are sadly those who will not hear. They do not ‘have ears to hear'. The lamp is shining, but men love darkness rather than light (thus they want the lamp to be kept under a corn measure) because their deeds are evil (John 3:19).