Mar 4:21 Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?
Alternative: Is a lamp set out under a basket or under a couch? Is it not put up on a lamp stand?

Linguistically, the original Greek words were changed slightly in this verse to match what the English translators saw as more meaningful to the lives of their readers during their era. It is interesting that the word "lamp" works better now than "candle." In that respect, we are more like the Greeks of Christ time, who used oil lamps, that the British of King Jame period who used candles.

The connection of this verse to the previous parable of the sower is that Christ's use of "light" as a metaphor or symbol for knowledge. Context is important in translation. Matthew has this saying appear in the sermon soon after the Beatitudes. Here, Mark has it appear right after the parable of the sower. Luke has it appear after this parable and again during the "evil generation" sermon right after he compares himself to Jonah. In every case, the point is that those who have knowledge must spread it.

When Christ ends the previous parable talking about people producing thirty, sixth, and a hundred times more seeds, he means that they both pass on knowledge and that they add to it. The parable of the sower itself, taken more broadly is that of spreading knowledge. In the end, each seed produces more seed for more sowing.

However, there is a contradiction here. In Mar 4:11, Christ says that he speaks in parables because those on the outside are not suppose to know these things. If he want to spread this knowledge, why is does he, at the same time, keep it a mystery? Isn't he putting the lamp under a basket by using parables?

The answer is in the symbol of the seed itself. Why does the seed have a shell? To preserve it. Words can mean many things. Cbrist wanted to preserve his ideas for all generations. If he had said them plainly, the meaning of his words would change over the years. We have seen this happen, as words line "sin" and "evil" have drifted away from ihs original words of "mistakes" and "worthlessness."

However, the meaning of parables and analogies cannot be easily changed. The story stands apart for the word. In this story, for example, Christ doesn't blame those who cannot hear his ideas. Instead, he makes it clear that, in one way or another, they are simply not ready. While religions and priest, for their own reasons, may want to emphasize the idea of guilt and blame, they can put those ideas into translation, but t is not so easy to make those ideas fit into the parables.

"Candle" is from luchnos (luchnos), which means a "portable lamp," "illumination," or "lamp."

"Brought" is from erchomai, (erchomai) which means "to start," "to set out," "to arrive at," "to come" and "to go." It generally refers to any kind of motion. It is a little like we use the phrase "he is on his way," which can mean either that he is coming or going with no direct reference to coming to or going from the position of the speaker.

"Put" is from tithêmi (tithemi), which means "to put," "to place," "to propose," "to suggest," and a metaphor for "to put in one's mind."

"Bushel" is from modios (modios), which means a dry measure of 8.7 liter (a little less than 2 gallons) and containers, pottery or baskets, of that size.

The world translated as "bed" is klinê (kline), which means "that on which one lies, "couch," and a "grave-niche."

"Set" is from epitithêmi (epitithemi), which means "to lay," "to put," "to place upon," "to set upon," "to put on," and "to dispatch."

"Candlestick" is from luchnia (luchnia), which means a "lampstand."