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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Matthew 5:13 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.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/5-13.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/40_Mat_05_13.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 5:13 - Salt and Light" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its savor, how can it be made salty again? 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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. <a href="/nlt/matthew/5.htm">New Living Translation</a> “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. <a href="/esv/matthew/5.htm">English Standard Version</a> “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. <a href="/bsb/matthew/5.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/blb/matthew/5.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt becomes tasteless, with what will it be salted. For nothing is it potent any longer except, having been cast out, to be trampled upon by men. <a href="/kjv/matthew/5.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/matthew/5.htm">New King James Version</a> “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. <a href="/nasb_/matthew/5.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by people. <a href="/nasb/matthew/5.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. <a href="/nasb77/matthew/5.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how will it be made salty again? It is good for nothing anymore, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. <a href="/lsb/matthew/5.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how will it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out to be trampled under foot by men. <a href="/amp/matthew/5.htm">Amplified Bible</a> “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has lost its taste (purpose), how can it be made salty? It is no longer good for anything, but to be thrown out and walked on by people [when the walkways are wet and slippery]. <a href="/csb/matthew/5.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty? It’s no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. <a href="/hcsb/matthew/5.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> &#8220You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty? It&#8217s no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled on by men. <a href="/asv/matthew/5.htm">American Standard Version</a> Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost its savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under foot of men. <a href="/cev/matthew/5.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> You are the salt for everyone on earth. But if salt no longer tastes like salt, how can it make food salty? All it is good for is to be thrown out and walked on. <a href="/erv/matthew/5.htm">English Revised Version</a> Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost its savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under foot of men. <a href="/gwt/matthew/5.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> "You are salt for the earth. But if salt loses its taste, how will it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled on by people. <a href="/gnt/matthew/5.htm">Good News Translation</a> "You are like salt for the whole human race. But if salt loses its saltiness, there is no way to make it salty again. It has become worthless, so it is thrown out and people trample on it. <a href="/isv/matthew/5.htm">International Standard Version</a> "You are the salt of the world. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty again? It's good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled on by people. <a href="/msb/matthew/5.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/net/matthew/5.htm">NET Bible</a> "You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its flavor, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled on by people. <a href="/nheb/matthew/5.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> "You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost its flavor, with what will it be salted? It is then good for nothing, but to be cast out and trampled under people's feet. <a href="/wbt/matthew/5.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt hath lost its savor, with what shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot by men. <a href="/wey/matthew/5.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "*You* are the salt of the earth; but if salt has become tasteless, in what way can it regain its saltness? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown away and trodden on by the passers by. <a href="/web/matthew/5.htm">World English Bible</a> “You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost its flavor, with what will it be salted? It is then good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under the feet of men. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/matthew/5.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt may lose savor, in what will it be salted? It is good for nothing from now on, except to be cast outside, and to be trodden down by men. <a href="/blb/matthew/5.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt becomes tasteless, with what will it be salted. For nothing is it potent any longer except, having been cast out, to be trampled upon by men. <a href="/ylt/matthew/5.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> 'Ye are the salt of the land, but if the salt may lose savour, in what shall it be salted? for nothing is it good henceforth, except to be cast without, and to be trodden down by men. <a href="/slt/matthew/5.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Ye are the salt of the earth: and if the salt be rendered insipid, with what shall it be salted? it is yet strong for nothing, except to be cast without, and to be trodden under foot of men.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/matthew/5.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt lose its savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is good for nothing any more but to be cast out, and to be trodden on by men. <a href="/cpdv/matthew/5.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its saltiness, with what will it be salted? It is no longer useful at all, except to be cast out and trampled under by men. <a href="/nabre/matthew/5.htm">New American Bible</a> “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. <a href="/nrsvce/matthew/5.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> “You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/matthew/5.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> You are indeed the salt of the earth; but if the salt should lose its savor, with what could it be salted? It would not be worth anything, but to be thrown outside and to be trodden down by men. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/5.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> You are the salt of the earth, but if salt becomes insipid, with what will it be salted? It is good for nothing except to be thrown outside and to be trodden upon by people.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/matthew/5.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> You are the salt of the earth: but if the salt has become tasteless, by what means shall it become salt again? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trod upon by men. <a href="/godbey/matthew/5.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>Ye are the salt of the earth; and if the salt may lose its savor, in what shall it be salted? It is yet without value, except having been cast out, to be trodden under feet by the people.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/matthew/5.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt become insipid, with what can it be salted? it is of no farther use for any purpose, but to be cast out, and trodden under foot of men.<CM> <a href="/mace/matthew/5.htm">Mace New Testament</a> Ye are the salt of the earth; but if the salt become insipid, how shall it recover its savour? it is no longer fit for any thing, but to be cast out and trod under foot. <a href="/wey/matthew/5.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "*You* are the salt of the earth; but if salt has become tasteless, in what way can it regain its saltness? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown away and trodden on by the passers by. <a href="/worrell/matthew/5.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>"Ye are the salt of the earth; but, if the salt become tasteless, with what shall it be salted? It is henceforth good for nothing, except, when cast without, to be trodden under foot by men.<Fr> <a href="/worsley/matthew/5.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>Ye are the salt of the earth, but if the salt be grown insipid, wherewith shall it be seasoned? it is no longer fit for any thing, but to be thrown out <Fr>of doors,<FR> and trodden under foot.<Fr> <a href="/parallel/matthew/5-13.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=890" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/matthew/5.htm">Salt and Light</a> 12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you. 13<a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: Hymeis (PPro-N2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">You</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: este (V-PIA-2P) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">are</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-NNS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/217.htm" title="217: halas (N-NNS) -- Salt. From hals; salt; figuratively, prudence.">salt</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēs (Art-GFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">of the</a> <a href="/greek/1093.htm" title="1093: gēs (N-GFS) -- Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe.">earth.</a> <a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">But</a> <a href="/greek/1437.htm" title="1437: ean (Conj) -- If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.">if</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-NNS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/217.htm" title="217: halas (N-NNS) -- Salt. From hals; salt; figuratively, prudence.">salt</a> <a href="/greek/3471.htm" title="3471: mōranthē (V-ASP-3S) -- From moros; to become insipid; figuratively, to make as a simpleton.">loses its savor,</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">how</a> <a href="/greek/5101.htm" title="5101: tini (IPro-DNS) -- Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what."></a> <a href="/greek/233.htm" title="233: halisthēsetai (V-FIP-3S) -- From hals; to salt.">can it be made salty again?</a> <a href="/greek/2480.htm" title="2480: ischyei (V-PIA-3S) -- To have strength, be strong, be in full health and vigor, be able; meton: I prevail. From ischus; to have force.">It is no longer good</a> <a href="/greek/2089.htm" title="2089: eti (Adv) -- (a) of time: still, yet, even now, (b) of degree: even, further, more, in addition. Perhaps akin to etos; yet, still."></a> <a href="/greek/1519.htm" title="1519: eis (Prep) -- A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.">for</a> <a href="/greek/3762.htm" title="3762: ouden (Adj-ANS) -- No one, none, nothing. ">anything,</a> <a href="/greek/1487.htm" title="1487: ei (Conj) -- If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.">except</a> <a href="/greek/3361.htm" title="3361: mē (Adv) -- Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether."></a> <a href="/greek/906.htm" title="906: blēthen (V-APP-NNS) -- (a) I cast, throw, rush, (b) often, in the weaker sense: I place, put, drop. A primary verb; to throw.">to be thrown</a> <a href="/greek/1854.htm" title="1854: exō (Adv) -- Without, outside. Adverb from ek; out(-side, of doors), literally or figuratively.">out</a> <a href="/greek/2662.htm" title="2662: katapateisthai (V-PNM/P) -- From kata and pateo; to trample down; figuratively, to reject with disdain.">and trampled</a> <a href="/greek/5259.htm" title="5259: hypo (Prep) -- A primary preposition; under, i.e. of place, or with verbs; of place (underneath) or where (below) or time (when).">by</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tōn (Art-GMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/444.htm" title="444: anthrōpōn (N-GMP) -- A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.">men.</a> 14You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/mark/9-50.htm">Mark 9:50</a> Salt is good, but if the salt loses its saltiness, with what will you season it? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with one another.” <a href="/luke/14-34.htm">Luke 14:34-35</a> Salt is good, but if the salt loses its savor, with what will it be seasoned? / It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile, and it is thrown out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” <a href="/colossians/4-6.htm">Colossians 4:6</a> Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. <a href="/leviticus/2-13.htm">Leviticus 2:13</a> And you shall season each of your grain offerings with salt. You must not leave the salt of the covenant of your God out of your grain offering; you are to add salt to each of your offerings. <a href="/numbers/18-19.htm">Numbers 18:19</a> All the holy offerings that the Israelites present to the LORD I give to you and to your sons and daughters as a permanent statute. It is a permanent covenant of salt before the LORD for you and your offspring.” <a href="/2_kings/2-19.htm">2 Kings 2:19-22</a> Then the men of the city said to Elisha, “Please note, our lord, that the city’s location is good, as you can see. But the water is bad and the land is unfruitful.” / “Bring me a new bowl,” he replied, “and put some salt in it.” So they brought it to him, / and Elisha went out to the spring, cast the salt into it, and said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘I have healed this water. No longer will it cause death or unfruitfulness.’” ... <a href="/ezekiel/43-24.htm">Ezekiel 43:24</a> You must present them before the LORD; the priests are to sprinkle salt on them and sacrifice them as a burnt offering to the LORD. <a href="/job/6-6.htm">Job 6:6</a> Is tasteless food eaten without salt, or is there flavor in the white of an egg? <a href="/romans/12-2.htm">Romans 12:2</a> Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. <a href="/1_peter/2-9.htm">1 Peter 2:9</a> But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. <a href="/john/15-6.htm">John 15:6</a> If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers. Such branches are gathered up, thrown into the fire, and burned. <a href="/hebrews/6-4.htm">Hebrews 6:4-6</a> It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, / who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age— / and then have fallen away—to be restored to repentance, because they themselves are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting Him to open shame. <a href="/james/1-27.htm">James 1:27</a> Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. <a href="/2_corinthians/2-15.htm">2 Corinthians 2:15-16</a> For we are to God the sweet aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. / To the one we are an odor that brings death, to the other a fragrance that brings life. And who is qualified for such a task? <a href="/philippians/2-15.htm">Philippians 2:15</a> so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine as lights in the world</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>You are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his flavor, with which shall it be salted? it is thereafter good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.the salt.<a href="/leviticus/2-13.htm">Leviticus 2:13</a> And every oblation of thy meat offering shalt thou season with salt; neither shalt thou suffer the salt of the covenant of thy God to be lacking from thy meat offering: with all thine offerings thou shalt offer salt.<a href="/colossians/4-6.htm">Colossians 4:6</a> Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.if.<a href="/mark/9-49.htm">Mark 9:49,50</a> For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt… <a href="/luke/14-34.htm">Luke 14:34,35</a> Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? … <a href="/hebrews/6-4.htm">Hebrews 6:4-6</a> For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, … <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/4-12.htm">Cast</a> <a href="/matthew/5-5.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/micah/6-8.htm">Except</a> <a href="/malachi/4-3.htm">Feet</a> <a href="/matthew/3-11.htm">Fit</a> <a href="/jeremiah/48-11.htm">Flavor</a> <a href="/matthew/4-6.htm">Foot</a> <a href="/matthew/4-4.htm">Goes</a> <a href="/matthew/4-23.htm">Good</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-14.htm">Insipid</a> <a href="/zechariah/9-5.htm">Lose</a> <a href="/ezekiel/37-11.htm">Lost</a> <a href="/psalms/129-8.htm">Passers</a> <a href="/ezekiel/7-13.htm">Regain</a> <a href="/zephaniah/2-9.htm">Salt</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-4.htm">Salted</a> <a href="/luke/14-34.htm">Saltiness</a> <a href="/luke/14-34.htm">Saltness</a> <a href="/psalms/107-34.htm">Salty</a> <a href="/amos/4-10.htm">Savor</a> <a href="/joel/2-20.htm">Savour</a> <a href="/job/6-6.htm">Tasteless</a> <a href="/micah/4-7.htm">Thenceforth</a> <a href="/matthew/4-12.htm">Thrown</a> <a href="/habakkuk/3-15.htm">Trampled</a> <a href="/malachi/4-3.htm">Trodden</a> <a href="/matthew/5-12.htm">Way</a> <a href="/malachi/2-5.htm">Wherewith</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/5-25.htm">Cast</a> <a href="/matthew/5-18.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/matthew/5-20.htm">Except</a> <a href="/matthew/5-35.htm">Feet</a> <a href="/matthew/8-8.htm">Fit</a> <a href="/job/6-6.htm">Flavor</a> <a href="/matthew/5-35.htm">Foot</a> <a href="/matthew/5-19.htm">Goes</a> <a href="/matthew/5-16.htm">Good</a> <a href="/job/6-6.htm">Insipid</a> <a href="/matthew/5-30.htm">Lose</a> <a href="/matthew/10-6.htm">Lost</a> <a href="/psalms/129-8.htm">Passers</a> <a href="/mark/10-51.htm">Regain</a> <a href="/mark/9-49.htm">Salt</a> <a href="/mark/9-49.htm">Salted</a> <a href="/mark/9-50.htm">Saltiness</a> <a href="/mark/9-50.htm">Saltness</a> <a href="/mark/9-50.htm">Salty</a> <a href="/luke/14-34.htm">Savor</a> <a href="/luke/14-34.htm">Savour</a> <a href="/mark/9-50.htm">Tasteless</a> <a href="/luke/13-9.htm">Thenceforth</a> <a href="/matthew/5-25.htm">Thrown</a> <a href="/luke/8-5.htm">Trampled</a> <a href="/luke/8-5.htm">Trodden</a> <a href="/matthew/5-16.htm">Way</a> <a href="/matthew/15-5.htm">Wherewith</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 5</div>1. <a href="/matthew/5-1.htm">Jesus' sermon on the mount:</a> 3. <a href="/matthew/5-3.htm">The Beattitudes;</a> 13. <a href="/matthew/5-13.htm">the salt of the earth;</a> 14. <a href="/matthew/5-14.htm">the light of the world.</a> 17. <a href="/matthew/5-17.htm">He came to fulfill the law.</a> 21. <a href="/matthew/5-21.htm">What it is to kill;</a> 27. <a href="/matthew/5-27.htm">to commit adultery;</a> 33. <a href="/matthew/5-33.htm">to swear.</a> 38. <a href="/matthew/5-38.htm">He exhorts to forgive wrong,</a> 43. <a href="/matthew/5-43.htm">to love our enemies;</a> 48. <a href="/matthew/5-48.htm">and to labor after perfection.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/matthew/5.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div>You are the salt of the earth This phrase begins with a powerful metaphor. In the ancient world, salt was a valuable commodity, used for preservation and flavoring. The Greek word for "salt" is "halas," which signifies not only the physical substance but also its symbolic meanings. Salt was essential for life, and its preservative qualities were crucial in a time without refrigeration. Jesus is calling His followers to be essential and life-preserving in the world, maintaining the moral and spiritual integrity of society. The phrase "of the earth" indicates the global scope of this mission, emphasizing that believers are to influence the entire world, not just their immediate surroundings.But if the salt loses its savor The Greek word for "loses its savor" is "moraino," which can mean to become foolish or insipid. Salt, in its pure form, does not lose its saltiness, but when mixed with impurities, it can become ineffective. This serves as a warning to Christians about the dangers of moral and spiritual compromise. The historical context reveals that impure salt from the Dead Sea region could indeed lose its flavor, making this metaphor particularly poignant for Jesus' audience. Believers are called to maintain their distinctiveness and purity to remain effective in their witness.how can it be made salty again? This rhetorical question underscores the seriousness of losing one's spiritual effectiveness. Once salt has lost its flavor, it cannot be restored to its original state. This serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of spiritual decay. The impossibility of restoring saltiness highlights the need for vigilance in maintaining one's faith and witness. It calls believers to a life of continual renewal and dependence on God to sustain their spiritual vitality.It is no longer good for anything The phrase "no longer good for anything" emphasizes the total loss of purpose and function. In the ancient world, salt that had lost its flavor was completely useless. This serves as a metaphor for Christians who fail to live out their calling. The historical context shows that such salt was often thrown out, as it had no value. This is a call to self-examination, urging believers to remain faithful and effective in their mission.except to be thrown out and trampled by men The imagery of being "thrown out and trampled" is stark and vivid. In ancient times, unsavory salt was discarded onto roads, where it would be trodden underfoot. This symbolizes the fate of those who fail to live up to their calling as followers of Christ. It serves as a warning of the consequences of spiritual complacency and the loss of one's witness. The phrase calls believers to remain vigilant and committed to their role as preservers and influencers in the world.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/5.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(13) Ye are the salt of the earth.--The words are spoken to the disciples in their ideal character, as the germ of a new Israel, called to a prophetic work, preserving the earth from moral putrescence and decay. The general reference to this antiseptic action of salt is (as in <a href="/colossians/4-6.htm" title=" Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man.">Colossians 4:6</a>, and possibly in the symbolic act of Elisha, <a href="/2_kings/2-21.htm" title="And he went forth to the spring of the waters, and cast the salt in there, and said, Thus said the LORD, I have healed these waters; there shall not be from there any more death or barren land.">2Kings 2:21</a>) enough to give an adequate meaning to the words, but the special reference to the sacrificial use of salt in <a href="/mark/9-49.htm" title="For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.">Mark 9:49</a> (see Note there) makes it probable enough that there was some allusion to that thought also here.If the salt have lost his savour.--The salt commonly used by the Jews of old, as now, came from Jebel-Usdum, on the shores of the Dead Sea, and was known as the Salt of Sodom. Maundrell, the Eastern traveller (circ. A.D. 1690), reports that he found lumps of rock-salt there which had become partially flavourless, but I am not aware that this has been confirmed by recent travellers. Common salt, as is well known, will melt if exposed to moisture, but does not lose its saltness. The question is more curious than important, and does not affect the ideal case represented in our Lord's words.Wherewith shall it be salted?--The words imply a relative if not an absolute impossibility. If gifts, graces, blessings, a high calling, and a high work fail, what remains? The parable finds its interpretation in <a href="/context/hebrews/6-1.htm" title="Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on to perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,">Hebrews 6:1-6</a>.To be trodden under foot of men.--The Talmud shows (Schottgen in loc.) that the salt which had become unfit for sacrificial use in the store-house was sprinkled in wet weather upon the slopes and steps of the temple to prevent the feet of the priests from slipping, and we may accordingly see in our Lord's words a possible reference to this practice. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/5.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 13. - Ye are the salt, etc. (cf. a similar saying in <a href="/mark/9-50.htm">Mark 9:50</a>; <a href="/luke/14-34.htm">Luke 14:34, 35</a>). Weiss thinks that St. Luke gives it in its original context; that St. Matthew is right in interpreting it as of special reference to the disciples; and that St. Mark applies it the most freely. It may, indeed, be that its position here is only the result of the inspired guidance of the evangelist; but, on the whole, it seems more probable that so natural a figure was used more than once by our Lord, and that he really spoke these words in his sermon on the mount, as well as on the later occasion indicated by St. Luke. Ye; i.e. the μαθηταί of ver. 1. Are, in fact (ἐστέ); therefore recognize the responsibility. The salt of the earth. It has been disputed whether allusion is here made to the preservative properties of salt or to the flavour it imparts; i.e. whether Christ is thinking of his disciples as preserving the world from decay, or as giving it a good flavour to the Divine taste. Surely a useless question; forgetful of the fact that spiritual realities are being dealt with, and that it is therefore impossible for the one effect to be really separated from the other. Our Lord is thinking of the moral tone which his disciples are to give to humanity. The connexion with vers. 11, 12 is - Persecution must be borne unless you are to lose your moral tone, which is to be to the earth what salt is to its surroundings, preserving from corruption and fitting for (in your case Divine) appreciation. What χάρις is to be to the Christian λόγος (<a href="/colossians/4-6.htm">Colossians 4:6</a>), that the Christian himself is to be to the world. If... have lost its savour (μωρανθῇ); so elsewhere in <a href="/luke/14-34.htm">Luke 14:34</a> only. Salt that has lost its distinctive qualities is here said to lack its proper mind or sense. Salt without sharpness is like an ἄνθρωπος ἄλογος; for man is a ζῶον λογικόν. On the fact of salt losing its virtue, cf. Thomson ('Land and the Book,' p. 382: 1887), "It is a well-known fact that the salt of this country [i.e. Palestine] when in contact with the ground, or exposed to rain and sun, does become insipid and useless. From the manner in which it is gathered [vide infra], much earth and other impurities are necessarily collected with it. Not a little of it is so impure that it cannot be used at all; and such salt soon effloresces and turns to dust - not to fruitful soil, however. It is not only good for nothing itself, but it actually destroys all fertility wherever it is thrown.... No man will allow it to be thrown on to his field, and the only place for it is the street; and there it is cast, to be trodden under foot of men." It should be observed that the salt used in Palestine is not manufactured by boiling clean salt water, nor quarried from mines, but is obtained from marshes along the seashore, as in Cyprus, or from salt lakes in the interior, which dry up in summer, as the one in the desert north of Palmyra, and the great Lake of Jebbul, south-east of Aleppo. Further, rock-salt is found in abundance at the south end of the Dead Sea (cf. Thomson, loc. cit). Wherewith shall it be salted? i.e. not if you will not act as salt, wherewith shall the earth be salted? (apparently Luther and Erasmus); but what quality can take the place of moral tone to produce in you the same result? You are as salt. If you lose your distinctive qualities, where, can you find that which answers to them? It is thenceforth good for nothing. Our Lord here lays stress, not on want of fitness (εὔθετον, Luke), but on want of inherent power. "It is only useful for that purpose to which one applies what is absolutely useless" (Weiss-Meyer). <a href="/commentaries/matthew/5-13.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>You Ὑμεῖς (Hymeis) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. are ἐστε (este) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. the τὸ (to) Article - Nominative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. salt ἅλας (halas) Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_217.htm">Strong's 217: </a> Salt. From hals; salt; figuratively, prudence. of the τῆς (tēs) Article - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. earth. γῆς (gēs) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1093.htm">Strong's 1093: </a> Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe. But δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. if ἐὰν (ean) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1437.htm">Strong's 1437: </a> If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc. the τὸ (to) Article - Nominative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. salt ἅλας (halas) Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_217.htm">Strong's 217: </a> Salt. From hals; salt; figuratively, prudence. loses its savor, μωρανθῇ (mōranthē) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Passive - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3471.htm">Strong's 3471: </a> From moros; to become insipid; figuratively, to make as a simpleton. how ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. can it be made salty again? ἁλισθήσεται (halisthēsetai) Verb - Future Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_233.htm">Strong's 233: </a> From hals; to salt. It is no longer good ἰσχύει (ischyei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2480.htm">Strong's 2480: </a> To have strength, be strong, be in full health and vigor, be able; meton: I prevail. From ischus; to have force. for εἰς (eis) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1519.htm">Strong's 1519: </a> A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases. [anything], οὐδὲν (ouden) Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3762.htm">Strong's 3762: </a> No one, none, nothing. except εἰ (ei) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1487.htm">Strong's 1487: </a> If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc. to be thrown βληθὲν (blēthen) Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Nominative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_906.htm">Strong's 906: </a> (a) I cast, throw, rush, (b) often, in the weaker sense: I place, put, drop. A primary verb; to throw. out ἔξω (exō) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_1854.htm">Strong's 1854: </a> Without, outside. Adverb from ek; out(-side, of doors), literally or figuratively. [and] trampled καταπατεῖσθαι (katapateisthai) Verb - Present Infinitive Middle or Passive <a href="/greek/strongs_2662.htm">Strong's 2662: </a> From kata and pateo; to trample down; figuratively, to reject with disdain. by ὑπὸ (hypo) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_5259.htm">Strong's 5259: </a> A primary preposition; under, i.e. of place, or with verbs; of place (underneath) or where (below) or time (when). men. ἀνθρώπων (anthrōpōn) Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_444.htm">Strong's 444: </a> A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/5-13.htm">Matthew 5:13 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/matthew/5-13.htm">Matthew 5:13 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/matthew/5-13.htm">Matthew 5:13 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/matthew/5-13.htm">Matthew 5:13 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/matthew/5-13.htm">Matthew 5:13 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/5-13.htm">Matthew 5:13 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/5-13.htm">Matthew 5:13 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/5-13.htm">Matthew 5:13 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/5-13.htm">Matthew 5:13 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/matthew/5-13.htm">Matthew 5:13 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/matthew/5-13.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 5:13 You are the salt of the earth (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/5-12.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 5:12"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 5:12" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/5-14.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 5:14"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 5:14" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>