Be careful what you hear

Mark 4:21-25

Mark 4:21–25 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? 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 them 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 they have will be taken from them.”

Context

importance of hearing

Mark: An Introduction and Commentary (Schnabel) c. Analogy of the Measure and Revelation (4:24–25)

c. Analogy of the measure and revelation (4:24–25)

24. The analogy of the measure is introduced with the summons to see what you hear. The combination of the visual and aural senses underscores the importance of paying attention to what Jesus says. Hearing alone is not sufficient: one needs to pay careful attention to what is heard when Jesus speaks of the kingdom of God in parables. The proverbial saying With the measure you use, it will be measured to you, which reflects language used in commercial grain contracts, is used here not in terms of the appropriateness of God’s judgment (thus Matt. 7:2 and in Jewish literature, where the ‘two measures’ are judgment and mercy) nor in terms of encouraging generosity in giving (cf. Luke 6:37–38). Mark uses the principle of ‘measure for measure’ with reference to carefully hearing what Jesus says about the kingdom of God when he speaks in parables. The willingness and the effort that are necessary for paying close attention to Jesus’ parables will be proportionately rewarded. The next phrase and still more will be given you (NRSV) underscores the positive, rich reward that comes from careful consideration of Jesus’ parables.

25. Jesus formulates with another proverb the principle of reciprocity and of God’s generosity that goes beyond strict equality. The expression whoever has refers to the disciples and the committed followers of Jesus who have heard and responded to Jesus’ words and deeds, who have at least an initial understanding of his parables, the God-given capacity to receive the word (v. 11). The promise will be given more asserts that a positive response to Jesus will lead to even greater insight into the coming of the kingdom of God as the disciples hear and understand Jesus’ parables. The phrase whoever does not have refers to those who do not have a true understanding of Jesus’ words and deeds and who thus do not understand the parables either. The assertion even what they have will be taken from them formulates the effect of Jesus’ teaching in parables: their lack of understanding increases their perplexity concerning Jesus’ words and deeds. They see but do not perceive; they hear but do not understand (v. 12). Their blindness with regard to the truth of Jesus and the coming of the kingdom of God increases. Their encounter with God’s presence in Jesus’ ministry, which they do not understand, undermines any benefit which they should have gained.