Parable of the Lamp on a Stand

Discussion Questions: “Parable of the Lamp on a Stand”

Introduction:  The Lamp on a Stand parable can be found in three Synoptic Gospels: Matthew 5:14-16, Mark 4:21-25, and Luke 8:16-18. Understanding this parable requires reading all three Gospels. Mark and Luke convey a similar message, while Matthew includes two crucial verses (14 and 16) that enhance the message. Reading only Matthew would miss essential details from Mark and Luke. In this article, we will explore the parable drawing from all three Gospels. Additionally, we will address a common misinterpretation of the message in Mark and provide a detailed explanation.

1.     You are the light of the world. (Read the verse outlined in red Matthew 5:14).  Why does Jesus call the disciples the light of the world.  Didn’t Jesus say He was the light of the world in John 8:12? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2.     A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  What does it mean a city on a hill cannot be hidden?  ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3.     What is the Parable “A city on a hill cannot be hidden?” ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4.     The lamp on a stand.  (Read the verses outlines in black:  Matthew 5:15, Mark 4:21, Luke 8:16).  Why is the lamp not covered or put under a basket?  ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5.     Why is the lamp set on a lampstand? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6.     Who is the lamp?  ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

We will address a common misinterpretation of the message in Mark and provide a detailed explanation.

Mark 4:21:  Greek to English Translation

Και         λέγω                      αὐτός,                  Μήτι                      ὁ λύχνος              ἔρχομαι               ἵνα         ὑπό

And     He said            to them,         Not (is)            the lamp         to come          that     under

τοv      μόδιος                  τίθημι                   ἤ             ὑπό        κλίνη                     οὐχ         ἵνα                          ἐπί

the      bushel            it be placed    or        under  the couch?     (is it)   not that         on the

λυχνία                  ἐπιτίθημι

lampstand     it be placed?

King James Version Mark 4:21:

Also He said to them, “Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand?”

7.     Do you notice any specific word(s) that are different than the King James Version?  ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

With this new information, how would you answer this question: 

8.     How do you look at Jesus being the lamp differently?  ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

9.     When something is hidden (Read verses highlighted in green:  Mark 4:22, Luke 8:17) Why is something hidden? Are there good and/or bad reasons to keep things secret?  ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

10.  Anything hidden or kept secret will come to light. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 11.  The measurement of good and evil (Read verses highlighted in purple:  Mark 4:23-25, and Luke 8:18) What measurement is Jesus talking about?  Is it used for evil? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

12.  How is the measurement used for good?  ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

13.  Let your light shine!  (Read verse highlighted in blue:  Matthew 5:16) What does it mean to let your light shine before men? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

14.  How is Jesus looking for you to demonstrate your good works before men so they may praise you?  Are the men supposed to see your good works, that glorify God?  Or are the good works performed to glorify God, and men see the good works?  ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

15.  How should you let your light shine before men?  ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________