Mark 4:22

“This inference is confirmed by the fact that Mark keeps by the same order.” — editor's note: Mark iv. 1–34.

After the question of the disciples concerning the parable, and its explanation, He well subjoins, “And He said unto them, Is a candle brought, &c.” As if He said, A parable is given, not that it should remain…

Or else the candle is the discourse concerning the three sorts of seed. The bushel or the bed is the hearing of the disobedient. The Apostles are the candlestick, whom the word of the Lord hath enlightened. Wherefore…

Or else the Lord warns His disciples to be as light, in their life and conversation; as if He said, As a candle is put so as to give light, so all will look to your life. Therefore be diligent to lead a good life;…

Or, because the time of our life is contained under a certain measurement of Divine Providence, it is rightly compared to a bushel. But the bed of the soul is the body, in which it dwells and reposes for a time. He…

Or else, “There is nothing hid;” as if He said, If ye conduct your life with care, accusation will not be able to obscure your light.

For each of us, whether he have done good or evil, is brought to light in this life, much more in that which is to come. For what can be more hidden than God, nevertheless He Himself is manifested in the flesh. It…

That is, if any man have a sense for understanding the word of God, let him not withdraw himself, let him not turn his ear to fables, but let him lend his ear to search those things which truth hath spoken, his hands…

That is, that none of those things which are said to you by me should escape you. “With what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you,” that is, whatsoever degree of application ye bring, in that degree ye will…

Or else, If ye diligently endeavor to do all the good which ye can, and to teach it to your neighbours, the mercy of God will come in, to give you both in the present life a sense to take in higher things, and a will…

According to the measure of his faith the understanding of mysteries is divided to every man, and the virtues of knowledge will also be added to them. It goes on: “For he that hath, to him shall be given;” that is,…

Or else, He who has the desire and wish to hear and to seek, to him shall be given. But he who has not the desire of hearing divine things, even what he happens to have of the written law is taken from him.

For sometimes a clever reader by neglecting his mind, deprives himself of wisdom, of which he tastes the sweetness, who, though slow in intellect, works more diligently.

Again it may be said, that he “hath not,” who has not truth. But our Lord says that “he hath,” because he has a lie, for every one whose understanding believes a lie, thinks that he has something.