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Mark 4:21
ESV And he said to them, "Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand?
NIV 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?
NASB And He was saying to them, 'A lamp is not brought to be put under a basket, or under a bed, is it? Is it not brought to be put on the lampstand?
CSB He also said to them, "Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket or under a bed? Isn’t it to be put on a lampstand?
NLT Then Jesus asked them, 'Would anyone light a lamp and then put it under a basket or under a bed? Of course not! A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light will shine.
KJV And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed and not to be set on a candlestick
NKJV 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?

What does Mark 4:21 mean?

The word translated "basket" is from the Greek root word modios and literally means a "bushel measure." "Bed" is from the Greek root word kline, and means a small bed or couch, as what people reclined on when sick or eating a meal.

"Light" represents several different things in the New Testament. Here it is the word of truth about the kingdom of God as taught through parables. Until this time, the Jews knew that the Messiah was coming to redeem and rescue them. But they didn't understand who the Messiah was or how He would save them.

It is now time for Jesus to reveal God's plan, but He does so judiciously. For one, He doesn't allow demons to authenticate His identity (Mark 1:24–26, 34; 3:11–12). If He allows them to speak for Him, they will quickly twist His ministry with lies and lead many astray. He also limits the revelation of His message to those who trust Him enough to really want to understand. To outsiders, He will, for now, be the prophet who heals people, casts out demons, and says wise things. He knows that the deeper He delves into His true purpose, the quicker and harsher the opposition will react (Mark 3:1–6).

That reaction is inevitable, but before it happens, He needs time to train His disciples to spread His message to a wider audience (Matthew 5:14-16). Soon, He will send them out to preach and heal with His authority (Mark 6:7–13). Within a few years, they will be the fathers of His church.
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