The use of a lamp (Mk 4:21-4:21)

“Jesus said to them.

‘Is a lamp

Brought in

To be put

Under a bushel basket?

Is it to be put

Under a bed?

Should it not be put

On a stand?’”

 

Καὶ ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς ὅτι Μήτι ἔρχεται ὁ λύχνος ἵνα ὑπὸ τὸν μόδιον τεθῇ ἢ ὑπὸ τὴν κλίνην; οὐχ ἵνα ἐπὶ τὴν λυχνίαν τεθῇ;

 

A similar saying of Jesus can be found in Matthew, chapter 5:15, and Luke, chapter 8:16, with both of them closer to each other than Mark.  Mark indicated that Jesus said to his disciples (Καὶ ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς) that a lamp should not be brought into the house (ὅτι Μήτι ἔρχεται ὁ λύχνος) to be put under a bushel basket (ἵνα ὑπὸ τὸν μόδιον τεθῇ) or under a bed (ἢ ὑπὸ τὴν κλίνην).  Rather is it not better to put it on a lampstand (οὐχ ἵνα ἐπὶ τὴν λυχνίαν τεθῇ).  Thus, the light from the lit candle lamp would shine on everyone and everything in the house.