Salt and light

This article is about the biblical metaphor. For the television network, see Salt + Light Television.
A page from the Gospel of Matthew from the Book of Durrow, 7th century

Salt and light are metaphors used by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, one of the main teachings of Jesus on morality and discipleship.[1] These metaphors in Matthew 5:13, 14, 15 and 16 immediately follow the Beatitudes and refer to expectations from the disciples.[2]

The general theme of Matthew 5:13–16 is promises and expectations, and these expectations follow the promises of the first part.[2]

The first verse of this passage introduces the phrase "salt of the earth":

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.

The last verses refer to lamp under a bushel, which occurs in Luke 8:16–18 and Light of the World which occurs in John 8:12.

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 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. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

See also

References

  1. ↑ The Sermon on the mount: a theological investigation by Carl G. Vaught, 2001, ISBN 978-0-918954-76-3, pages xi–xiv
  2. 1 2 Matthew by Charles H. Talbert, 2010, ISBN 0-8010-3192-3, pages 75–79
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