Jessie Taylor
The parable of the lamp under a bushel, also known as the lamp under a bowl, is one of the parables of Jesus. It appears in the Bible in Matthew 5:14–15, Mark 4:21–25, and Luke 8:16–18. The parable is interpreted as a call to action for Christians to let their light shine before others and not hide their talents or good deeds. The key message is that light is to be revealed, not concealed. This is often interpreted as a call to share the teachings of Jesus and bring glory to God.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Theme | Light and its visibility |
| Message | God is not a secret to be kept |
| Metaphor | People are light-bearers |
| Action | People should let their good deeds be seen by others |
| Outcome | People will be drawn to God |
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What You'll Learn
- Jesus used the parable to teach Christians to be an example to the world
- The parable is about the light of the Gospel illuminating all nations
- The apostles are lights of the world, and their duty is to edify men
- The lamp represents the light of truth, dispelling darkness and revealing salvation
- The parable teaches the importance of good deeds and glorifying God
Jesus used the parable to teach Christians to be an example to the world
The parable of the lamp under a bushel, also known as the lamp under a bowl, is one of the parables of Jesus. It appears in the Bible in Matthew 5:14–15, Mark 4:21–25, and Luke 8:16–18. The parable also appears in the non-canonical Gospel of Thomas.
In this parable, Jesus teaches his followers that they are to be a light to the world, bringing out the "God-colors" in the world. He compares them to a city on a hill that cannot be hidden, and to a lamp that gives light to all in the house. Just as no one would light a lamp and then hide it under a basket, Christians are not to hide their light or keep God a secret. Instead, they are to be generous with their lives and open up to others, so that people will be drawn to God.
Jesus' teaching in this parable is that Christians should not hide their faith or their good deeds but should let them shine before others. By doing so, they will bring glory to God and prompt others to open up to Him as well. This is in line with Jesus' teaching on salt and light in the Sermon on the Mount, as well as His explanation of the Parable of the Sower.
The key idea of the parable is that "light is to be revealed, not concealed." This light has been interpreted as referring to Jesus Himself, His message, or the believer's response to that message. By following Jesus' teaching in this parable, Christians can be an example to the world and bring glory to God.
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The parable is about the light of the Gospel illuminating all nations
The parable of the lamp under a bushel basket, also known as the lamp under a bowl, is one of the parables of Jesus. It appears in the Bible in Matthew 5:14-15, Mark 4:21-22, and Luke 8:16-18, and in the non-canonical Gospel of Thomas.
The lamp in the parable represents the light of God, Jesus himself, or the believer's response to God's message. By placing the lamp on a stand, it is visible to all and can illuminate the entire house. This act of revealing the light is a metaphor for making God's message public and accessible to all nations.
The Gospel, or the Good News of Jesus, is meant to be shared and spread to all people, not hidden or kept secret. The parable encourages followers of Jesus to shine their light before others, allowing their good deeds and moral excellence to be seen, so that people may glorify God.
Furthermore, the parable emphasizes the role of the disciples in spreading God's light. Just as a lamp on a stand provides light to the entire house, the disciples are called to illuminate the world with the teachings of Jesus. They are placed on a hilltop, representing their position of influence, from which they are to shine God's light and edify others.
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The apostles are lights of the world, and their duty is to edify men
In the parable, Jesus compares the apostles to lamps, stating that just as one would not light a lamp and then hide it under a basket or a bushel, so too should the apostles not hide their light from the world. The apostles, as lights of the world, have a duty to shine their light and impart their knowledge and teachings to others.
For example, in Matthew 5:15, it is said, "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house." Here, Jesus emphasizes that just as a city on a hill cannot be hidden, so too should the apostles not hide their light but rather place it on a lampstand for all to see.
Similarly, in Mark 4:21-22, the Bible states, "Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket or under a bed, and not to be placed on a lampstand? For there is nothing hidden except to be made visible; nothing is secret except to come to light." Here, the idea is reinforced that the apostles' knowledge and teachings should not be hidden but should be brought to light and shared with others.
By following this parable, the apostles can fulfill their duty as lights of the world and edify men by sharing their knowledge, teachings, and good deeds with others.
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The lamp represents the light of truth, dispelling darkness and revealing salvation
The parable of the lamp under a bushel basket, also known as the lamp under a bowl, is one of the parables of Jesus. It appears in the Bible in Matthew 5:14–15, Mark 4:21–25, and Luke 8:16–18, and in the non-canonical Gospel of Thomas, saying 33.
The lamp in this context represents the light of truth and knowledge, illuminating the darkness of ignorance and concealment. By placing the lamp on a stand, it reveals what was once hidden and brings truth to light.
In the parable, Jesus encourages his followers to shine their light upon the world, just as a lamp on a stand illuminates a house. This light has been interpreted as referring to Jesus himself, his message, or the believer's response to that message.
The passage conveys a powerful message of transparency and openness. It suggests that just as a lamp is not lit to be hidden, so too should truth and knowledge be shared and not concealed. This idea is reinforced by the image of a city on a hill, which cannot be hidden, further emphasizing the importance of living openly and letting one's light shine for all to see.
The lamp also symbolizes the impact of one's actions and the responsibility to live a virtuous life. By letting one's light shine, one reveals their good deeds and moral excellence, glorifying their heavenly Father and prompting others to open up to God. This interpretation highlights the transformative power of truth and the potential for positive change when darkness is dispelled.
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The parable teaches the importance of good deeds and glorifying God
The parable of the lamp under a bushel, also known as the lamp under a bowl, is one of the parables of Jesus. It appears in the Bible in Matthew 5:14–15, Mark 4:21–25, and Luke 8:16–18, and is also found in the non-canonical Gospel of Thomas. The parable teaches an important lesson about the role of believers in the world and their relationship with God.
In the parable, Jesus compares his followers to a light that should not be hidden but rather placed on a stand to illuminate the surrounding darkness. This light represents the good deeds and moral excellence of believers, which should be visible to the world. By living a life of good deeds, believers reflect the light of God and bring glory to Him.
The key message of the parable is that believers should not conceal their faith or the good works that flow from it. Just as a lamp is lit to provide light, so too should believers shine brightly in the world, bringing out the "God-colors" and making God known to others. This is further emphasized in the parable by the reference to a city on a hill, which cannot be hidden. Believers, like that city, are called to be visible and make their faith known through their actions.
By hiding one's light under a basket, one would be concealing the very purpose of the light. Similarly, believers are instructed not to hide their faith but to let it shine before others. This visibility is not for personal recognition but to bring praise and glory to God. As the parable states, by seeing the good deeds of believers, others will recognize the goodness of God and give Him honour.
In conclusion, the parable of the lamp under a bushel teaches believers the importance of living a life of good deeds and letting their light shine before others. By doing so, they bring glory to God and point others towards Him. It is a call to action for believers to be bold in their faith and to live out their beliefs in a way that impacts the world around them.
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Frequently asked questions
The phrase "don't hide a candle under a basket" is a metaphor that encourages people to let their light shine and not hide their talents or good deeds. It is often interpreted as a call to action to use one's gifts and talents for the benefit of others and to bring glory to a higher power.
The phrase originates from the Bible, specifically Matthew 5:14-16, Mark 4:21-25, and Luke 8:16-18. It is part of the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus is quoted as saying, "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden."
The phrase is significant because it emphasizes the importance of living a life that is visible and glorifies God. It also highlights the belief that God's truth should not be hidden but shared with the world.
