13"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt becomes tasteless, with what will it be salted? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown outside and trampled underfoot by people. [5:14] You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. [5:15] Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a bushel-basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. [5:16] So let your light shine before people, that they may see your noble works and glorify your Father who is in the heavens."
MAT 5:13-16
Salt and Light
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st-century Mediterranean world, salt was a highly valued commodity, essential for preserving food and enhancing flavor. Its loss of potency rendered it useless, fit only to be discarded and trampled underfoot—a vivid image of dishonor and waste. For Jesus’ audience, this metaphor would resonate with their understanding of salt’s practical and symbolic significance, particularly in Jewish purity rituals where salt symbolized covenant fidelity (Lev 2:13). Similarly, light was a powerful symbol in Jewish thought, often associated with Torah, wisdom, and God’s presence. A city on a hill, likely referencing Jerusalem or Sepphoris, would have been visible for miles, symbolizing prominence and identity. The , a Roman dry measure, was a common household item, and placing a lamp under it would obscure its purpose. Jesus’ call to let their (good, noble, honorable) works shine reflects the honor-shame culture, where public recognition of virtuous deeds brought glory to one’s patron—in this case, God.
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How other translations render this
MAT 5:13
- KJV
- Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
- BSB
- You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its savor, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.
- Koinōnos
- You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt becomes tasteless, with what will it be salted? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown outside and trampled underfoot by people.
MAT 5:14
- KJV
- Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
- BSB
- You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
- Koinōnos
- You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
MAT 5:15
- KJV
- Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
- BSB
- Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they set it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
- Koinōnos
- Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a bushel-basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.
MAT 5:16
- KJV
- Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
- BSB
- In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
- Koinōnos
- So let your light shine before people, that they may see your noble works and glorify your Father who is in the heavens.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
MAT 5:13
- shall become tasteless,:The word translated 'shall become tasteless' also carried the sense of becoming foolish or dull. It suggests a loss of essential character, rendering something useless or absurd.
MAT 5:15
- a basket:The term translated 'a basket' referred to a specific dry measure, similar to a bushel, and the container used for it. It was a common household item, not just any generic basket.
MAT 5:16
- good:The word translated 'good' here often described something as beautiful, noble, or excellent in quality, not merely morally upright. It implies an inherent attractiveness or fittingness.