Big Idea: The kingdom is guaranteed by God to grow exponentially, and its concealed realities are soon to be brought to light; so now is the time to open our hearts and minds to its truths.

Understanding the Text

The basic theme for the parables in this chapter has already been established in 4:1–20: hearing and obeying the word of God by making certain that we are receptive to the kingdom truths. In the four parables that follow in 4:21–34 this is explored further in two ways. First, the lamp and the measure (vv. 21–25) add material to verses 10–12 and tell more about the purpose of parables: through them the present hidden truths of the kingdom (vv. 10–12) are about to be exposed (vv. 21–25), and all people should respond by hearing them clearly. Second, the two seed parables in verses…