The Parable of the Lamp
Jesus uses the imagery of a lamp to illustrate that truth is meant to be revealed, not hidden. Just as a lamp is placed on a stand to give light, God's revelation is intended to be understood and shared. Jesus warns that the measure one uses—whether in receiving or applying His teaching—will determine what we receive in return, emphasizing personal responsibility in spiritual growth. Those who embrace His truth will be given even more, while those who neglect it will lose even what they have.
Mark 4:21-25Mark 4:21-25 commentary continues Mark’s samplings of Jesus’s parables, with “The Parable of the Lamp.”
Jesus had just explained “The Parable of the Sower” (Mark 4:3-9Mark 4:3-9 commentary) to His disciples (Mark 4:10-20Mark 4:10-20 commentary). As He unpacks various parables, He told the disciples they have been granted the ability “to know the mystery of the kingdom of God” (Mark 4:11Mark 4:11 commentary).
The setting and context of this parable closely resembles its presentation in the gospel of Luke. In Matthew’s Gospel, these teachings appear in different contexts, suggesting varied applications depending on the setting.
First, we will examine how these teachings should be understood within the context of Mark (and Luke). Links will be provided to The Bible Says commentary for insights on how these parallel teachings apply in Matthew’s context.
The repetition of these teachings in different contexts suggests that Jesus likely taught them multiple times throughout His ministry.
And He was saying to them, “A lamp is not brought to be put under a basket, is it, or under a bed? Is it not brought to be put on the lampstand?” (v 21).
Mark introduces this parable with the phrase And He was saying to them to indicate how He (Jesus) was saying this parable on multiple occasions. He was constantly saying this parable (and others) to many audiences and crowds as He proclaimed the kingdom throughout Israel and beyond.
Jesus uses the image of a lamp to illustrate His point.
A lamp is something that shines light in the darkness. It is useful for being able to see better at night, when it is dark. In this context, lamp appears to be a synonym for “light.”
Light is a potent symbol in both the Bible and ancient cultures, representing truth and goodness. Light reveals what is hidden and provides guidance along the right path (Psalm 119:105Psalm 119:105 commentary). Just as people light a lamp to see and move safely through darkness, spiritual light leads believers in truth and righteousness.
Jesus illustrates this truth by asking a trio of rhetorical questions.
The first two rhetorical questions have the same expected response: A lamp is not brought to be put under a basket, is it, or under a bed?
The expected response to both questions is: “No! Of course a person would not put a lamp under either of these things.”
It would be silly to put a lampunder a basketorunder a bed because it would defeat the purpose of the lamp, which is to provide light. If a lamp was to be put under a basket or bed no light would be given in the house; the light would be largely limited to the confined area under the bed or basket.
Jesus uses humor in these two rhetorical questions to make His point more memorable as He contrasts the proper and improper way to use a lamp.
His third rhetorical question was: Is it not brought to be put on the lampstand?
The expected response to this question is: “Yes! A person puts a lamp on the lampstand so that it gives the room the most light possible.
Instead of putting a lamp under something where its light is contained and limited, a lamp is placed on a lampstand, ensuring that its light reaches everyone in the room.
Jesus’s teachings are like a radiant lamp that drives out darkness and uncertainty. They shine light on reality, unveiling hidden truths. The gospel’s illumination brings clarity and guidance, offering great benefit to all who embrace its truth and goodness.
The Apostle John describes Jesus as “the Light of men” (John 1:4John 1:4 commentary) who “shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it” (John 1:5John 1:5 commentary). Even if people try to put the light of Jesus—the example of His life by faith, the sacrifice of His death, the power of His resurrection, the truth of His teachings—under a basket, they cannot extinguish His light.
In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus presents this teaching during the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7Matthew 5-7 commentary).
There, He proclaims to His disciples: “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14Matthew 5:14 commentary) before illustrating that no one lights a lamp only to hide it under a basket but rather places it on a stand to give light (Matthew 5:15Matthew 5:15 commentary).
Immediately after this, He instructs His followers to let their light shine before others so that their good works may be seen and bring glory to God (Matthew 5:16Matthew 5:16 commentary).
The Bible Says commentary about Jesus’s parallel teaching in its Matthew-context can be found here.
The light of the Gospel will uncover all things, bringing every hiddensecret into full view.
For nothing is hidden, except to be revealed; nor has anything been secret, but that it would come to light (v 22).
The light will expose all things. Nothingis hidden from its exposure. Everything will be revealed by the light of Jesus. Every action and thought that has been hidden from the knowledge of man by people, and anything they have kept secret from others shall come to light at the judgment. Nothing is beyond God's sight.
With this teaching, Jesus is stressing that the truth will eventually be revealed. What may seem hidden or unclear now will come to light in due time. This applies not only to spiritual truths but also to the state of the human heart. His teaching is not meant to be secret or limited to just a few people; it is like a lamp that is put on a lampstand that will illuminate all things, bringing everything into the open.
The truth will ultimately be revealed by God. Actions, thoughts, and intentions that have been done in secret, whether righteous or sinful, will be exposed in the light of His truth. The expression except to be revealed means there will be no exceptions. Nothing will remain hidden, as God's light will illuminate all things, revealing their true nature.
Jesus is “the true Light” who “enlightens every man” (John 1:9John 1:9 commentary). Through His Gospel, He offers all people a profound opportunity. By trusting and following Jesus, all who come into His light gain the ability to see, understand, and live according to what is right, good, and true.
“Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.’” (John 8:12John 8:12 commentary)
God the Father is the One who sent Jesus, the “Light of the world” (John 8:12John 8:12 commentary), into the world. God placed Jesus, His Son, on the lampstand of the cross, so that all who come to Him and encounter Jesus may see and be illuminated by His light.
After explaining to Nicodemus how to receive the Gift of Eternal Life (John 3:3-16John 3:3-16 commentary), Jesus described people's natural response to the presence of the Light in the dark world:
“The Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil.” (John 3:19bJohn 3:19b commentary)
Because their deeds were evil and they loved darkness, Jesus continued:
“For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.” (John 3:20John 3:20 commentary)
Their deeds will be exposed, for nothing is hidden,except to be revealed; nor has anything been secret, but that it would come to light.
Therefore, the issue is not whether our evil will be exposed or not, but when and how it will be revealed. Will our sin be brought to light willingly through repentance and faith, or will it be exposed by the light of God’s judgment?
Hiding our sin and avoiding the light only delays exposure and denies those who flee from it the healing, restoration, intimacy, and life that come through confession and repentance. This approach of avoiding the light ultimately leads to further wrath, death, and judgment.
But Jesus concludes His teaching to Nicodemus by highlighting the positive response of those who embrace the truth through repentance and confession:
“But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.” (John 3:21John 3:21 commentary)
God is merciful and gracious. He will forgive our sins if we seek healing from Him. If we have enough faith to look to His Son, we are declared righteous through Jesus (John 3:14John 3:14 commentary). Once we receive His righteousness and continue to confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and purify us from even the sins we may not recognize (1 John 1:91 John 1:9 commentary). This is how we walk in the light as He is in the light (1 John 1:71 John 1:7 commentary). If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and prevent ourselves from experiencing the joy, life, and truth that His light offers (1 John 1:81 John 1:8 commentary, 1010 commentary).
How people respond to the light of Jesus and the Gospel is of great importance. If we receive the truth of His Gospel with a willing heart, He promises to reveal even more life-giving truth. However, if we reject His light, we will only sow confusion and bring about our own ruin.
The Bible Says commentary for the Matthew context of Jesus’s parallel teaching of Mark 4:22Mark 4:22 commentary can be found here.
If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear (v 23).
Jesus concludes this parable with the same exhortation He used at the end of “The Parable of the Sower” (Mark 4:9Mark 4:9 commentary). He asks the listener to pay special attention to what He is saying.
This proverb-like expression is an invitation to the hearer to lean in and consider the truths contained within this parable.
Immediately after this, Jesus gave a warning to His disciples:
Take care what you listen to. By your standard of measure it will be measured to you; and more will be given you besides (v 24).
The first part of Jesus’s warning is to take care what you listen to.
This means to be careful of and pay attention to what influences you and your thoughts and perspective.
If your influences—what you listen to—are godly and righteous, you will likely be affected by them to become more godly and righteous.
If your influences are wrong or evil, you will likely be affected by them to become more wrong and eviler.
There are three things in life which a person can control:
Who they trust.
Their perspective.
Their actions.
Jesus’s admonition: Take care what you listen to—pertains to the first of these three things. He is warning His disciples to take care of what they trust.
The second warning Jesus gives is: By your standard of measure it will be measured to you.
Jesus taught the same thing about judging others and the judgment that we will receive in His Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7:1-2Matthew 7:1-2 commentary).
This statement explains the converse side of “The Mercy Principle.”
The Mercy Principle is that we will receive the same measure of mercy from God that we give to others.
Note: The Mercy Principle does not apply to the Gift of Eternal Life, which forgives all our sins on the basis of Jesus’s gracious sacrifice atoning for all our sins. The Gift of Eternal Life is received by grace through faith in Jesus and it saves us from eternal separation from Him in the eternal punishment.
But in regards to our intimacy and closeness with God—the Mercy Principle applies. It is expressed many times in Jesus’s teachings, most notably in what is called “the Lord’s Prayer.” In the heart of this prayer, we ask God to treat us the same way we treat our enemies—“And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” (Matthew 6:12Matthew 6:12 commentary).
After stating this model prayer, Jesus explicitly states the Mercy Principle for clarity and emphasis:
“For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.” (Matthew 6:14-15Matthew 6:14-15 commentary)
Later in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus appears to restate the Mercy Principle according to the way we judge others:
“For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.” (Matthew 7:2Matthew 7:2 commentary)
If one’s judgment against others is light, then your judgment will be light. If one’s judgment against others is harsh, then your judgment will be harsh. Jesus’s point is no one wants to be judged harshly, so do not judge others harshly or you will be judged harshly by God.
Here in Mark, the second part of this statement is included—By your standard of measure it will be measured to you—but the first part that explicitly mentions judgment is not included—“For in the way you judge, you will be judged” (Matthew 7:2aMatthew 7:2a commentary).
Mark may have omitted the explicit judgment portion to condense his narrative and implied it without overly stating it. Mark also may have omitted it because Jesus gives the standard of measure portion a broader meaning than the meaning He assigned to it in His Sermon on the Mount, recorded by Matthew.
In its broadest possible terms, it could mean God will evaluate and measure us according to our own standards and beliefs. In the context of Mark 4:21-25Mark 4:21-25 commentary, commentary this could mean that God’s light will expose all of our secret and hidden thoughts and intentions of the heart so that they will be fully revealed, and He will use them to evaluate and measure our hearts and lives at our judgment.
The heart is notoriously deceptive and can often hide our own wicked intentions even from ourselves (Psalm 19:12Psalm 19:12 commentary, commentaryJeremiah 17:9Jeremiah 17:9 commentary). If we trust in our own standards of righteousness, we will be sorely disappointed. It is better to trust in God than to trust in ourselves.
So, take care what you listen to.
The clause at the end of this statement: and more will be given you besides, may suggest that the measure we will be given at our judgment before Christ will not merely match what we have given in our current life, but rather will be multiplied, perhaps exponentially, based on what we first gave. Our generosity, our mercy, or our lack thereof, that is practiced in this life may be scaled up dramatically when we stand before God. A small act of goodness in this life may be like a tiny stream that feeds into a vast ocean of blessing at our judgment. Conversely, withholding good may start as a trickle but culminate in a drought.
This appears to be what Jesus is saying in Luke’s gospel when He taught:
“Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.” (Luke 6:38Luke 6:38 commentary)
Given this principle of exponential returns, we would be wise and shrewd to be more generous, more patient, more kind, more merciful, and less greedy, less bothered, less rude, and less harsh toward others.
Jesus concludes this thought with a twin principle:
For whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him (v 25).
One side of the principle presents a positive opportunity: “For whoever has, to him more shall be given.”
Essentially, those who live by God’s principles and enjoy His blessings shall be given even greater blessing. Whoever has mercy to give His enemies shall be given greater mercy (Matthew 5:7Matthew 5:7 commentary). Whoever has a heart that trusts Jesus and is open to understanding His teachings shall be given even more understanding (see Matthew 13:10-13Matthew 13:10-13 commentary).
The reverse side of the principle also holds true: “For whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him.”
In other words, whoever does not live by God’s commands nor have the enjoyment of God’s blessings for obedience shall have even the good things he currently possesses taken away from him. Whoever withholds mercy shall not have mercy given to him. Whoever does not have a heart open to trusting Jesus or understanding His teachings will not only be denied further insight, but he shall also lose and misunderstand even the little understanding he initially had.
This is why Jesus cautioned His disciples to take care what they listen to—because the way they listen (with or without faith and/or who they trust) will have profound consequences. If they listen with an open heart, they will grow in faith and intimacy with God, and the life they have will increase. However, if they listen with a closed heart, even the little understanding they think they have shall be taken awayfrom them.
Jesus gave a similar warning at the end of His “Parable of the Talents” (Matthew 25:14-30Matthew 25:14-30 commentary):
“For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away.” (Matthew 25:29Matthew 25:29 commentary)
The application of this principle, as stated at the end of the parable in Matthew, points to faithfulness, responsibility, and stewardship.
Servants who prove themselves faithful in stewardship are granted even greater responsibilities. Conversely, the servant who fails to manage his small portion loses his stewardship entirely. In the Parable of the Talents, Jesus implies that if the servant with one talent had simply deposited the talent in the bank, he might have retained some level of responsibility.
Everyone who produced results from their investment—the diligent servants—were entrusted with even greater responsibilities. Conversely, the one who failed to yield any return lost both his initial portion and his stewardship role. The single talent of the unfaithful servant was taken from him and given to the servant who had ten, emphasizing the principle that faithful stewardship leads to greater abundance, while neglect leads to loss.
Whoever faithfully manages the understanding of the kingdom of God given by the Spirit shall be entrusted with even greater opportunities. But whoever neglects to steward even a small portion will lose all responsibility. This follows a clear principle—those who have will receive more, while those who fail to steward what they have will be left with nothing.
The negative response and outcome of Jesus’s principle—that whoever does not have faith will lose even what they have—mirrors the fate of those who “suppress the truth in unrighteousness” (Romans 1:18Romans 1:18 commentary). Their reasoning becomes futile, and their hearts grow dark (Romans 1:21Romans 1:21 commentary). Romans describes this loss as experiencing “the wrath of God” (Romans 1:18Romans 1:18 commentary), suffering the natural consequences of sin, and being given over to “degrading passions” (Romans 1:26aRomans 1:26a commentary).
Jesus’s twin principles laid out in Mark—for whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has shall be taken away from him—are related to the paradox which He will later teach His disciples in Mark 8Mark 8 commentary when He says:
“For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.” (Mark 8:35Mark 8:35 commentary)
The link between these two teachings is clear: whoever has faith to surrender their life for Jesus’s sake will ultimately gain true life and will be given more. But whoever does not have faith and seeks to preserve the life they have apart from Jesus will lose it, along with every good thing they thought they possessed.
Set to dark mode
Mark 4:21-25 meaning
The parallel Gospel accounts for Mark 4:21-25Mark 4:21-25 commentary are Matthew 5:15Matthew 5:15 commentary, 10:2610:26 commentary, 13:1213:12 commentary, 25:2925:29 commentary, commentary and Luke 8:16-18Luke 8:16-18 commentary, 12:212:2 commentary.
Mark 4:21-25Mark 4:21-25 commentary continues Mark’s samplings of Jesus’s parables, with “The Parable of the Lamp.”
Jesus had just explained “The Parable of the Sower” (Mark 4:3-9Mark 4:3-9 commentary) to His disciples (Mark 4:10-20Mark 4:10-20 commentary). As He unpacks various parables, He told the disciples they have been granted the ability “to know the mystery of the kingdom of God” (Mark 4:11Mark 4:11 commentary).
The setting and context of this parable closely resembles its presentation in the gospel of Luke. In Matthew’s Gospel, these teachings appear in different contexts, suggesting varied applications depending on the setting.
First, we will examine how these teachings should be understood within the context of Mark (and Luke). Links will be provided to The Bible Says commentary for insights on how these parallel teachings apply in Matthew’s context.
The repetition of these teachings in different contexts suggests that Jesus likely taught them multiple times throughout His ministry.
And He was saying to them, “A lamp is not brought to be put under a basket, is it, or under a bed? Is it not brought to be put on the lampstand?” (v 21).
Mark introduces this parable with the phrase And He was saying to them to indicate how He (Jesus) was saying this parable on multiple occasions. He was constantly saying this parable (and others) to many audiences and crowds as He proclaimed the kingdom throughout Israel and beyond.
Jesus uses the image of a lamp to illustrate His point.
A lamp is something that shines light in the darkness. It is useful for being able to see better at night, when it is dark. In this context, lamp appears to be a synonym for “light.”
Light is a potent symbol in both the Bible and ancient cultures, representing truth and goodness. Light reveals what is hidden and provides guidance along the right path (Psalm 119:105Psalm 119:105 commentary). Just as people light a lamp to see and move safely through darkness, spiritual light leads believers in truth and righteousness.
Jesus illustrates this truth by asking a trio of rhetorical questions.
The first two rhetorical questions have the same expected response: A lamp is not brought to be put under a basket, is it, or under a bed?
The expected response to both questions is: “No! Of course a person would not put a lamp under either of these things.”
It would be silly to put a lamp under a basket or under a bed because it would defeat the purpose of the lamp, which is to provide light. If a lamp was to be put under a basket or bed no light would be given in the house; the light would be largely limited to the confined area under the bed or basket.
Jesus uses humor in these two rhetorical questions to make His point more memorable as He contrasts the proper and improper way to use a lamp.
His third rhetorical question was: Is it not brought to be put on the lampstand?
The expected response to this question is: “Yes! A person puts a lamp on the lampstand so that it gives the room the most light possible.
Instead of putting a lamp under something where its light is contained and limited, a lamp is placed on a lampstand, ensuring that its light reaches everyone in the room.
Jesus’s teachings are like a radiant lamp that drives out darkness and uncertainty. They shine light on reality, unveiling hidden truths. The gospel’s illumination brings clarity and guidance, offering great benefit to all who embrace its truth and goodness.
The Apostle John describes Jesus as “the Light of men” (John 1:4John 1:4 commentary) who “shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it” (John 1:5John 1:5 commentary). Even if people try to put the light of Jesus—the example of His life by faith, the sacrifice of His death, the power of His resurrection, the truth of His teachings—under a basket, they cannot extinguish His light.
In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus presents this teaching during the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7Matthew 5-7 commentary).
There, He proclaims to His disciples: “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14Matthew 5:14 commentary) before illustrating that no one lights a lamp only to hide it under a basket but rather places it on a stand to give light (Matthew 5:15Matthew 5:15 commentary).
Immediately after this, He instructs His followers to let their light shine before others so that their good works may be seen and bring glory to God (Matthew 5:16Matthew 5:16 commentary).
The Bible Says commentary about Jesus’s parallel teaching in its Matthew-context can be found here.
The light of the Gospel will uncover all things, bringing every hidden secret into full view.
For nothing is hidden, except to be revealed; nor has anything been secret, but that it would come to light (v 22).
The light will expose all things. Nothing is hidden from its exposure. Everything will be revealed by the light of Jesus. Every action and thought that has been hidden from the knowledge of man by people, and anything they have kept secret from others shall come to light at the judgment. Nothing is beyond God's sight.
With this teaching, Jesus is stressing that the truth will eventually be revealed. What may seem hidden or unclear now will come to light in due time. This applies not only to spiritual truths but also to the state of the human heart. His teaching is not meant to be secret or limited to just a few people; it is like a lamp that is put on a lampstand that will illuminate all things, bringing everything into the open.
The truth will ultimately be revealed by God. Actions, thoughts, and intentions that have been done in secret, whether righteous or sinful, will be exposed in the light of His truth. The expression except to be revealed means there will be no exceptions. Nothing will remain hidden, as God's light will illuminate all things, revealing their true nature.
Jesus is “the true Light” who “enlightens every man” (John 1:9John 1:9 commentary). Through His Gospel, He offers all people a profound opportunity. By trusting and following Jesus, all who come into His light gain the ability to see, understand, and live according to what is right, good, and true.
“Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.’”
(John 8:12John 8:12 commentary)
God the Father is the One who sent Jesus, the “Light of the world” (John 8:12John 8:12 commentary), into the world. God placed Jesus, His Son, on the lampstand of the cross, so that all who come to Him and encounter Jesus may see and be illuminated by His light.
After explaining to Nicodemus how to receive the Gift of Eternal Life (John 3:3-16John 3:3-16 commentary), Jesus described people's natural response to the presence of the Light in the dark world:
“The Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil.”
(John 3:19bJohn 3:19b commentary)
Because their deeds were evil and they loved darkness, Jesus continued:
“For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.”
(John 3:20John 3:20 commentary)
Their deeds will be exposed, for nothing is hidden, except to be revealed; nor has anything been secret, but that it would come to light.
Therefore, the issue is not whether our evil will be exposed or not, but when and how it will be revealed. Will our sin be brought to light willingly through repentance and faith, or will it be exposed by the light of God’s judgment?
Hiding our sin and avoiding the light only delays exposure and denies those who flee from it the healing, restoration, intimacy, and life that come through confession and repentance. This approach of avoiding the light ultimately leads to further wrath, death, and judgment.
But Jesus concludes His teaching to Nicodemus by highlighting the positive response of those who embrace the truth through repentance and confession:
“But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.”
(John 3:21John 3:21 commentary)
God is merciful and gracious. He will forgive our sins if we seek healing from Him. If we have enough faith to look to His Son, we are declared righteous through Jesus (John 3:14John 3:14 commentary). Once we receive His righteousness and continue to confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and purify us from even the sins we may not recognize (1 John 1:91 John 1:9 commentary). This is how we walk in the light as He is in the light (1 John 1:71 John 1:7 commentary). If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and prevent ourselves from experiencing the joy, life, and truth that His light offers (1 John 1:81 John 1:8 commentary, 1010 commentary).
How people respond to the light of Jesus and the Gospel is of great importance. If we receive the truth of His Gospel with a willing heart, He promises to reveal even more life-giving truth. However, if we reject His light, we will only sow confusion and bring about our own ruin.
The Bible Says commentary for the Matthew context of Jesus’s parallel teaching of Mark 4:22Mark 4:22 commentary can be found here.
If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear (v 23).
Jesus concludes this parable with the same exhortation He used at the end of “The Parable of the Sower” (Mark 4:9Mark 4:9 commentary). He asks the listener to pay special attention to what He is saying.
This proverb-like expression is an invitation to the hearer to lean in and consider the truths contained within this parable.
Immediately after this, Jesus gave a warning to His disciples:
Take care what you listen to. By your standard of measure it will be measured to you; and more will be given you besides (v 24).
The first part of Jesus’s warning is to take care what you listen to.
This means to be careful of and pay attention to what influences you and your thoughts and perspective.
There are three things in life which a person can control:
Jesus’s admonition: Take care what you listen to—pertains to the first of these three things. He is warning His disciples to take care of what they trust.
The second warning Jesus gives is: By your standard of measure it will be measured to you.
Jesus taught the same thing about judging others and the judgment that we will receive in His Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7:1-2Matthew 7:1-2 commentary).
This statement explains the converse side of “The Mercy Principle.”
The Mercy Principle is that we will receive the same measure of mercy from God that we give to others.
Note: The Mercy Principle does not apply to the Gift of Eternal Life, which forgives all our sins on the basis of Jesus’s gracious sacrifice atoning for all our sins. The Gift of Eternal Life is received by grace through faith in Jesus and it saves us from eternal separation from Him in the eternal punishment.
But in regards to our intimacy and closeness with God—the Mercy Principle applies. It is expressed many times in Jesus’s teachings, most notably in what is called “the Lord’s Prayer.” In the heart of this prayer, we ask God to treat us the same way we treat our enemies—“And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” (Matthew 6:12Matthew 6:12 commentary).
After stating this model prayer, Jesus explicitly states the Mercy Principle for clarity and emphasis:
“For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.”
(Matthew 6:14-15Matthew 6:14-15 commentary)
Later in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus appears to restate the Mercy Principle according to the way we judge others:
“For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.”
(Matthew 7:2Matthew 7:2 commentary)
If one’s judgment against others is light, then your judgment will be light. If one’s judgment against others is harsh, then your judgment will be harsh. Jesus’s point is no one wants to be judged harshly, so do not judge others harshly or you will be judged harshly by God.
Here in Mark, the second part of this statement is included—By your standard of measure it will be measured to you—but the first part that explicitly mentions judgment is not included—“For in the way you judge, you will be judged” (Matthew 7:2aMatthew 7:2a commentary).
Mark may have omitted the explicit judgment portion to condense his narrative and implied it without overly stating it. Mark also may have omitted it because Jesus gives the standard of measure portion a broader meaning than the meaning He assigned to it in His Sermon on the Mount, recorded by Matthew.
In its broadest possible terms, it could mean God will evaluate and measure us according to our own standards and beliefs. In the context of Mark 4:21-25Mark 4:21-25 commentary, commentary this could mean that God’s light will expose all of our secret and hidden thoughts and intentions of the heart so that they will be fully revealed, and He will use them to evaluate and measure our hearts and lives at our judgment.
The heart is notoriously deceptive and can often hide our own wicked intentions even from ourselves (Psalm 19:12Psalm 19:12 commentary, commentary Jeremiah 17:9Jeremiah 17:9 commentary). If we trust in our own standards of righteousness, we will be sorely disappointed. It is better to trust in God than to trust in ourselves.
So, take care what you listen to.
The clause at the end of this statement: and more will be given you besides, may suggest that the measure we will be given at our judgment before Christ will not merely match what we have given in our current life, but rather will be multiplied, perhaps exponentially, based on what we first gave. Our generosity, our mercy, or our lack thereof, that is practiced in this life may be scaled up dramatically when we stand before God. A small act of goodness in this life may be like a tiny stream that feeds into a vast ocean of blessing at our judgment. Conversely, withholding good may start as a trickle but culminate in a drought.
This appears to be what Jesus is saying in Luke’s gospel when He taught:
“Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”
(Luke 6:38Luke 6:38 commentary)
Given this principle of exponential returns, we would be wise and shrewd to be more generous, more patient, more kind, more merciful, and less greedy, less bothered, less rude, and less harsh toward others.
Jesus concludes this thought with a twin principle:
For whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him (v 25).
One side of the principle presents a positive opportunity: “For whoever has, to him more shall be given.”
Essentially, those who live by God’s principles and enjoy His blessings shall be given even greater blessing. Whoever has mercy to give His enemies shall be given greater mercy (Matthew 5:7Matthew 5:7 commentary). Whoever has a heart that trusts Jesus and is open to understanding His teachings shall be given even more understanding (see Matthew 13:10-13Matthew 13:10-13 commentary).
The reverse side of the principle also holds true: “For whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him.”
In other words, whoever does not live by God’s commands nor have the enjoyment of God’s blessings for obedience shall have even the good things he currently possesses taken away from him. Whoever withholds mercy shall not have mercy given to him. Whoever does not have a heart open to trusting Jesus or understanding His teachings will not only be denied further insight, but he shall also lose and misunderstand even the little understanding he initially had.
This is why Jesus cautioned His disciples to take care what they listen to—because the way they listen (with or without faith and/or who they trust) will have profound consequences. If they listen with an open heart, they will grow in faith and intimacy with God, and the life they have will increase. However, if they listen with a closed heart, even the little understanding they think they have shall be taken away from them.
Jesus gave a similar warning at the end of His “Parable of the Talents” (Matthew 25:14-30Matthew 25:14-30 commentary):
“For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away.”
(Matthew 25:29Matthew 25:29 commentary)
The application of this principle, as stated at the end of the parable in Matthew, points to faithfulness, responsibility, and stewardship.
Servants who prove themselves faithful in stewardship are granted even greater responsibilities. Conversely, the servant who fails to manage his small portion loses his stewardship entirely. In the Parable of the Talents, Jesus implies that if the servant with one talent had simply deposited the talent in the bank, he might have retained some level of responsibility.
Everyone who produced results from their investment—the diligent servants—were entrusted with even greater responsibilities. Conversely, the one who failed to yield any return lost both his initial portion and his stewardship role. The single talent of the unfaithful servant was taken from him and given to the servant who had ten, emphasizing the principle that faithful stewardship leads to greater abundance, while neglect leads to loss.
Whoever faithfully manages the understanding of the kingdom of God given by the Spirit shall be entrusted with even greater opportunities. But whoever neglects to steward even a small portion will lose all responsibility. This follows a clear principle—those who have will receive more, while those who fail to steward what they have will be left with nothing.
The negative response and outcome of Jesus’s principle—that whoever does not have faith will lose even what they have—mirrors the fate of those who “suppress the truth in unrighteousness” (Romans 1:18Romans 1:18 commentary). Their reasoning becomes futile, and their hearts grow dark (Romans 1:21Romans 1:21 commentary). Romans describes this loss as experiencing “the wrath of God” (Romans 1:18Romans 1:18 commentary), suffering the natural consequences of sin, and being given over to “degrading passions” (Romans 1:26aRomans 1:26a commentary).
Jesus’s twin principles laid out in Mark—for whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has shall be taken away from him—are related to the paradox which He will later teach His disciples in Mark 8Mark 8 commentary when He says:
“For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.”
(Mark 8:35Mark 8:35 commentary)
The link between these two teachings is clear: whoever has faith to surrender their life for Jesus’s sake will ultimately gain true life and will be given more. But whoever does not have faith and seeks to preserve the life they have apart from Jesus will lose it, along with every good thing they thought they possessed.