Mark 4:21He said to them, "Is the lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Isn't it put on a stand?
The setting
Continuing lakeside teaching, ~30 AD. Jesus shifts from farming metaphors to household imagery everyone understood...
The emotion here: passionate about truth being revealed
The original word
lampas (λάμπας) — an oil lamp that required constant attention and good oil to keep burning
Why it matters
First-century homes had only one or two small oil lamps — hiding it meant the whole family sat in darkness
Read with care
What most readers miss in Mark 4:21
This isn't about evangelism — Jesus is talking about not hiding the truth He's revealing through His teaching
Common misconceptionMost think this is primarily about evangelism, but in context, Jesus is saying His parables reveal truth that shouldn't stay hidden — it's about understanding and living out what He's teaching.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Mark 4:21
Bible Genome reading
Mark 4:21 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Mark 4:21 comes from the book of Mark, written during the gospel period. These words are attributed to Jesus. The dominant emotion in this verse is deciding, with a comfort power of 40% and a tone that is reflective. It belongs to the narrative genre of biblical literature. Key themes include light, purpose. Notable phrases: lamp brought; put on a stand.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same deciding
“"You shall have no other gods before me.”
— Deuteronomy 5:7
“"You shall not murder.”
— Exodus 20:13
“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
— Matthew 23:12
“For God didn't give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.”
— 2 Timothy 1:7
“But Peter said, "Silver and gold have I none, but what I have, that I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!"”
— Acts 3:6
Your reflection
What does Mark 4:21 mean to you, today?
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