Mark Study 20
The Light Meant To Be Seen
Mark Study #20 by Michael Spencer
Step into the study, pour yourself a cup of coffee, get comfortable and let's enjoy the Gospel of Mark. 
Our scripture this week is Mark 4:21-25 He said to them, "Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don't you put it on its stand? For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear. Consider carefully what you hear," he continued. "With the measure you use, it will be measured to you--and even more. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him." (NIV)
The same passage from Green's Literal Greek translation reads 21 And He said to them, Does the lamp come that it may be put under the grain measure, or under the bed? Is it not also that it may be put on the lampstand?
22 For not anything is hidden but that it will be revealed, nor anything become covered but that it will come to light. 23 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear. 24 And He said to them, Be careful what you hear. With what measure you measure, it will be measured to you; and more will be given to you, the ones hearing. 25 For whoever may have, more will be given to him; and the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.
I will freely confess that this may be one of the most difficult passages in the Gospel of Mark. Mark has placed four separate sayings of Jesus together. When the reader is expecting more parables (and more parables do follow) he/she is confronted with a string of sayings that do not have any obvious theme or meaning. Matthew takes the sayings, separates them from one another and places them elsewhere in his Gospel. Commentators struggle with this and the result is vastly differing views on what to do with this section. Some, like Barclay, see no relationship between the sayings, treat them separately and do not relate them to the parables. This appears to ignore the fact that Mark is a literary construction and these sayings have just as much internationality behind them as the parables before and after them.
William Lane suggests that these sayings are parables after all, but this seems to be stretching well outside of the natural reading of the texts. Sayings (or more exactly, aphorisms) are not parables and shouldn't be treated as such no matter how appealing the solution. William Hendricksen admits that these sayings seem to have no relation to the larger passage and any attempt to find coherence will be very tentative. I appreciate that admission! It seems to me, however, that we should look not so much at the immediate context (parables) but at the larger context of the Gospel of Mark itself. Perhaps there we will find some help in what Mark is doing with these sayings.
Let's quickly review some of what we have learned about Mark's Gospel. First, Mark has stated early on that the identity of Jesus is his major issue and concern. He has included the reader in on the "secret" of Jesus' identity while others do not know and misunderstand. Jesus' miracles, power and teachings make his identity and mission apparent, but the religious leaders and -as will be apparent, the disciples- cannot accept and believe the truth about Jesus. Mark's readers, persecuted Christians suffering under Roman persecution, realized that their belief in Jesus was the purpose of their suffering and the reason their persecutors hated them. Only at the final judgment would the truth that Jesus is the divine Son of God be understood by all. Parables provided an example of this situation. To those who know the "secret," the meaning of the parables is apparent, but for those on the outside, the truth of the parables is a mystery- even nonsense. Only the power of God can change this situation.
Now we return to our passage in Mark 4. It is interesting that Brooks in the NAC connects verses 10-12 with 21-25, almost as one continuous passage. Being a conservative, he has nothing to say about this little textual juggle, but it says volumes to me about my suggestion that these verses may be part of the larger theme of Mark's Secret: The identity of Jesus. Rather than looking for the obvious connection to parables in the immediate context, let's look for connections to the continuing theme of Jesus' identity in the larger context.
Please take note of the literal Greek reading of 4:21. I think it is very important: Does a lamp come that it may be hidden? This means that Jesus has come to be the light. This sort of language very directly points to Jesus and his mission. This is quite different from the common translation that is assumed to apply to the disciples moral lives in a dark world. Jesus seems to be saying that he did not come to have a hidden ministry, but to be a light in the darkness. This is why he is openly teaching and healing and preaching, even with the certainty of opposition. As he said elsewhere, this is why he had come into the world.
I think it is very interesting how 21-22 seems to balance off of 4:11-12. Jesus tells the parable of the sower, then explains that parables are meant to conceal as well as reveal. He then explains the meaning of the parable and says that he has come into the world to reveal the truth like a lamp in darkness. I hope you will see that far from being a contradiction, this is all one well formed flow of thought. The fact that the world does not see or understand is not the fault of Jesus! It is the natural quality of the darkness and ignorance of this world that it loves the darkness more than the light. (John 1:5, 3:19)
The language of verse 22 is eschatological. On the day of judgment, the truth will be disclosed and the secrets of men's hearts- their love of sin- will be revealed and every mouth stopped in silent agreement. The "hiddenness" of the teachings of Jesus- which is actually the spiritual blindness and deafness of men without God- will end on that day and our response to Jesus should be with that day in mind, not with the opinions of Godless men in mind. Note that 23b and 24a both echo Jesus' frequent words after parables such as 4:9. We should listen to the words of Jesus even when they are difficult and hard, because they reveal the truth. Our prayer should be for spiritual discernment to see the Christ in the words. I can't help but think of the many brilliant and scholarly people who can read the scriptures yet not see or hear the person of Jesus in the scripture. Our prayer should be that, like the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, our hearts would burn within us as he explains how the entire Bible speaks of his, at least to those who have ears and eyes to take it in.
Look at verse 24. The language of measurement was commonly used by the Jews of Jesus' time as they did business. Some have suggested it is also eschatological, but this is not apparent in this passage. Jesus is speaking of measurement as our faith in him- our consideration of his identity and message. The wrong measurement of Jesus will produce a wrong measurement of everything else. He is the truth that provides the fundamental standard of reality and meaning. How tragic that many Christians use standards other than Jesus to measure out truth, love and purpose in their lives.
Verse 25 seems to be the least related to the entire section, but it again is related to what happens if we know and believe in the one bringing this message. If we have the truth about Jesus as our starting place, then we will be given more and more in the Kingdom of God. Isn't this the testimony of everyone who began with simple faith in the Christ of scripture? Hasn't he given more and more truth? More and more blessing? More and more life? More and more hope, meaning and joy? But the sobering truth is seen in the reverse as well. If we do not have Christ as our starting place, as our foundation, whatever we have will eventually be lost. Knowledge, family, achievements, successes- they all are taken from us and amount to nothing in eternity, for then God and God alone is our all. Writing in The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis commented that the notion of "ownership" is a laugh in both heaven and hell. We human beings own nothing. All we have- bodies, minds, thoughts, health, time, talents- all was given to us and will be reclaimed by God or taken away in a ghastly eternity without hope. In the present, we should believe in the one through whom we can have the riches of the Kingdom and never fear losing even a penny.
These verses refocus us upon Jesus himself. Mark is telling us that Jesus is the light, the measure and the treasure. Those who will not hear or believe him are losers in a tragedy that can't be measured. Those who know him have all things and will see all truth in him. Difficult passages like these may not yield to our limited human minds, but if we ask "What does this say of Christ?", we will not go far wrong.
Questions
Going verse by verse forces us to deal with difficult passages. What is the result when our teaching avoids all difficulties that arise from the Bible itself?
When you first read 4:21-25, how did you feel they fit in with the rest of the chapter?
Reading commentators often reveals that they are just as confused as you are! What should we keep in mind when consulting an "expert" or "authority?"
Many students will solve the difficulty with these verses by immediately using them in their "Matthew" form. What might we learn when we see how all the evangelists use a similar saying or story?
Michael believes that "Context is King," but that the larger context may be more important that the smaller context. Do you see his point? Put it in your own words.
How does the overall purpose of the Gospel of Mark impact this section?
Why does Michael feel the literal Greek reading of verse 21 is important?
Who is the light of the world: us or Christ? Does it matter?
How would you answer someone who says that the world doesn't love darkness just because it rejects Christianity? Take Buddha for instance; could we say he loved darkness rather that light?
Atheists often say God has provided enough proof of his existence to remove all doubt. How do you think Jesus would respond to such an assertion?
On the day of judgment, what will be the most surprising to most people? Should Christians meditate on the day of judgment as an aid to Holy living?
How is Christ the true measure? How do we see the measure people use showing up in their own lives? Use an example of how Christ makes for a radically different measurement in our lives as compared to non-Christians.
What does God give "more and more" of to those who have Christ? What has been your experience with this truth?
Michael cited C.S. Lewis's observation that human "ownership" of anything is a joke in heaven and hell. What sorts of things to people assume they "own" that they will certainly lose? What can never be taken away from you in Christ?
WHich is more important in Christian living- knowing all the principles taught in the Bible or knowing the Christ of the Bible personally? How do these two relate?
In your prayer time, make your own "open ears" and open heart a real matter of prayer. (Why did Jesus say "If anyone has ears to hear....." so often?)
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