Counting the cost
The Lamp Under a Bowl
Also called The Lamp on a Stand, A City on a Hill
Nobody lights a lamp and hides it. Lamps go on stands.
What it turns on
The reason given is not duty. It is that hidden things are going to come out anyway.
21He said to them, “Is the lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Isn’t it put on a stand?
22For there is nothing hidden, except that it should be made known; neither was anything made secret, but that it should come to light.
23If any man has ears to hear, let him hear.”
24He said to them, “Take heed what you hear. With whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you, and more will be given to you who hear.
25For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he who doesn’t have, even that which he has will be taken away from him.”
World English Bible, public domain. Read the whole chapter →
Told again in other gospels
The same parable, recorded differently. The differences are worth reading, not smoothing over.
Matthew 5:14-16Read it
14You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can’t be hidden.
15Neither do you light a lamp, and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand; and it shines to all who are in the house.
16Even so, let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Luke 8:16-18Read it
16“No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a container, or puts it under a bed; but puts it on a stand, that those who enter in may see the light.
17For nothing is hidden that will not be revealed; nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light.
18Be careful therefore how you hear. For whoever has, to him will be given; and whoever doesn’t have, from him will be taken away even that which he thinks he has.”
More on counting the cost
The Wise and Foolish BuildersTwo houses, one on rock and one on sand. The same storm hits both.Counting the CostA man builds a tower without pricing it out. A king marches to war outnumbered.The Barren Fig TreeAn owner wants to cut down a tree that has not fruited in three years. The gardener asks for one more year.New Wine in Old WineskinsYou do not patch old cloth with new, or pour new wine into brittle old skins.