What is the meaning of Matthew 5:13-16?

¹³ “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. ¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:13-16 NIV)

Salt and light

Christ had recently called his disciples and told them they would be fishers of men; here, he tells them further what he intended them to be—the salt of the earth and the light of the world.

You Are the Salt of the Earth (Mt 5:13)

Jesus said his followers are the salt of the earth. This would encourage them in their sufferings, reminding them that, though treated with contempt, they were truly blessings to the world. The prophets before them were the salt of the land of Canaan, but the disciples were the salt of the whole earth, sent to preach the gospel to all nations. Though few and weak, their influence, like salt, would spread far and wide, working silently yet powerfully.

The gospel itself is like salt—it penetrates, cleanses, preserves, and adds flavor. It is called the “savor of the knowledge of Christ” (2 Cor. 2:14), and an everlasting covenant is referred to as a “covenant of salt” (Num. 18:19). Since salt was required in all sacrifices (Le 2:13; Ez 43:24), Christ’s disciples, having learned and now teaching the gospel, were like salt.

As the salt of the earth, Christians must be seasoned with the gospel themselves, with their thoughts, affections, words, and actions full of grace (Col. 4:6). They must not only be good but also do good, influencing others with the gospel. They are blessings to the world, preserving it from corruption through their teaching and example. They must be scattered, not clustered together in one place, but dispersed throughout the world like salt spread over food.

If a Christian loses his saltiness (become spiritually dead), he becomes unprofitable—”good for nothing.” A wicked Christian is worse than an unbeliever, and a corrupt minister is the worst of all. They will be rejected and cast out, no longer part of the faithful, trampled underfoot as worthless. If those who should season others become tasteless, lacking spiritual life and vigor, their condition is dire. There is no remedy for salt that has lost its saltiness; if Christianity does not transform a person, nothing else will.

You Are the Light of the World (Mt 5:14)

This also emphasizes their usefulness, but even more their glory. All Christians are light in the Lord (Eph. 5:8) and must shine as lights (Phil. 2:15). Christ is the Light of the world (John 8:12), and his disciples share in that work. This metaphor of Christians being light is explained in three ways:

1. They are visible and influential: Christ’s followers are like “A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” Christ’s disciples, especially those zealous in his service, are like beacons—seen by all. Some admire them, others envy and oppose them, but they must walk carefully because their lives are constantly observed.
2. They are meant to give light to others: Christ has lit these lamps, and they will not be hidden. The gospel, like a city on a hill, cannot be ignored. It will give light to all who come near it; those who reject it do so by their own choice.
3. They must shine as lights: (1) By their preaching: They must share the knowledge they have, not keep it to themselves. (2) By their lives: They must be “burning and shining lights” (John 5:35), demonstrating their faith in their daily conduct (James 3:13). They should instruct, guide, encourage, and comfort others (Job 29:11).

How must our light shine? By doing good works that others can see. These should be works that are honorable and commendable, drawing people toward Christianity. In doing good, we must seek to glorify God, not ourselves, avoiding the hypocrisy of the Pharisees.

For what purpose must our light shine? (1) To glorify God: Our goal in all religious actions must be to bring glory to God (1 Pet. 4:11). (2) To lead others to praise God: When people see the power of God’s grace in our lives, they will thank Him for it. (3) To encourage others toward faith: A holy and exemplary life can lead sinners to Christ. A godly example is powerful—it teaches, convinces, and wins hearts to the truth.