Word Pictures in the New Testament - David Cox

Word Pictures in the NT [Mark: Chapter 4]
object along with the bushel, the bed, the lampstand. Note
article with each. \M•ti\ in the Greek expects the answer no. It
is a curious instance of early textual corruption that both Aleph
and B, the two oldest and best documents, have \hupo t•n
luchnian\ (under the lampstand) instead of \epi t•n luchnian\,
making shipwreck of the sense. Westcott and Hort actually put it
in the margin but that is sheer slavery to Aleph and B. Some of
the crisp sayings were repeated by Jesus on other occasions as
shown in Matthew and Luke. To put the lamp under the bushel
(\modion\) would put it out besides giving no light. So as to the
bed or table-couch (\klin•n\) if it was raised above the floor
and liable to be set on fire.
4:22 {Save that it should be manifested} (\ean m• hina
phaner•th•i\). Note \ean m•\ and \hina\. Lu 8:17 has it {that
shall not be made manifest} (\ho ou phaneron gen•setai\). Here in
Mark it is stated that the temporary concealment is for final
manifestation and a means to that end. Those who are charged with
the secret at this time are given the set responsibility of
proclaiming it on the housetops after Ascension (Swete). The
hidden (\krupton\) and the {secret} (\apokruphon\) are to be
revealed in due time.
4:23 Repeats verse 9 with conditional form instead of a
relative clause. Perhaps some inattention was noted.
4:24 {What ye hear} (\ti akouete\). Lu 8:18 has it "how ye
hear" (\p•s akouete\) . Both are important. Some things should
not be heard at all for they besmirch the mind and heart. What is
worth hearing should be heard rightly and heeded. {With what
measure} (\en h•i metr•i\). See already in the Sermon on the
Mount (Mt 7:2; Lu 6:38).
4:25 {Even that which he hath} (\kai ho echei\). Lu 8:18 has
{even that which he thinketh that he hath or seemeth to have}
(\kai ho dokei echein\). It is possible that \echei\ here has the
notion of acquiring. The man who does not acquire soon loses what
he thinks that he has. This is one of the paradoxes of Jesus that
repay thought and practice.
4:26 {As if a man should cast} (\h•s anthr•pos bal•i\). Note
\h•s\ with the aorist subjunctive without \an\. It is a
supposable case and so the subjunctive and the aorist tense
because a single instance. Blass considers this idiom "quite
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