The persons Jesus addresses (“he said to them,” 4:21, 24) are the same persons mentioned in 4:13, namely, the twelve and the other followers (4:10). Only in verse 26 does Jesus cease addressing just the small group that is close to him. The introduction to 4:26 (“And he said,” rather than “he said to them”) indicates that it is only in verse 26 that Mark resumes the report of Jesus’ speaking to the crowds (4:1–9).1
21 And he said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand?