Matthew 5:13 - Meaning and Application

Christ had recently called his disciples and told them they would be fishers of men. Here he tells them more about what he meant them to be, the salt of the earth and the light of the world, so that they might truly become what was expected of them.

You are the salt of the earth. This would encourage and support them in their suffering. Though people would treat them with contempt, they would still be real blessings to the world, and even more so because of their suffering. The prophets who came before them were the salt of the land of Canaan, but the apostles were the salt of the whole earth, because they had to go into all the world to preach the gospel. It must have discouraged them to see how few and weak they were. What could they do in a world so large? Nothing, if they tried to work by force and weapons. But they were to work quietly, like salt. One handful of salt spreads its flavor far and wide. It goes a long way and works quietly and powerfully, like leaven (Matthew 13:33).

The teaching of the gospel is like salt. It is sharp, active, and powerful (Hebrews 4:12). It reaches the heart (Acts 2:37). It cleanses, gives flavor, and keeps from decay. Scripture speaks of the “fragrance of the knowledge of Christ” (2 Corinthians 2:14), because all other learning is dull without him. An everlasting covenant is called a covenant of salt (Numbers 18:19), and the gospel is an everlasting gospel. Salt was required in all sacrifices (Leviticus 2:13), and it appears in Ezekiel’s vision of the temple (Ezekiel 43:24). So Christ’s disciples, having learned the gospel themselves and being sent to teach it to others, were like salt.

Christians, especially ministers, are the salt of the earth. If they are what they should be, they are like good salt, white, small, broken into many grains, yet very useful and necessary. Pliny said that human life cannot be sustained without salt. From this we learn what Christians are to be in themselves, seasoned with the gospel, with the salt of grace. Their thoughts, desires, words, and actions should all be seasoned with grace (Colossians 4:6). “Have salt in yourselves,” or you cannot give it to others (Mark 9:50).

We also learn what they are to be to others. They must not only be good, but do good. They must work their way into people’s hearts, not for their own worldly gain, but to bring people to the taste and delight of the gospel. We also see what great blessings they are to the world. Humanity, lying in ignorance and sin, was like a huge pile of spoiled food, ready to rot. Christ sent his disciples to season it with knowledge and grace, through their lives and their teaching, so that it would be pleasing to God, to the angels, and to all who love divine things.

We also learn how they are to be placed in the world. They must not be gathered into one heap. They were not to stay always together in Jerusalem, but were to be scattered like salt over meat, one grain here and another there. In the same way, the Levites were spread through Israel so that, wherever they lived, they could share their influence.

If they are not like this, then they are like salt that has lost its flavor. If you, who should season others, are yourselves tasteless, lacking spiritual life, appetite, and strength, your condition is very sad, especially if you are a minister. First, such a person is beyond cure. “With what can it be salted?” Salt can help flavor tasteless meat, but there is no remedy for tasteless salt. The gospel gives a person taste and relish, but if someone can profess Christianity and still remain flat, foolish, graceless, and dull, then no other teaching or means can make him savory. If Christianity does not do it, nothing will.

Second, such a person is useless. It is no longer good for anything. What use can it be put to, if it does more harm than good? As a person without reason is not fully human in practice, so a Christian without grace is not truly fit for his calling. A wicked man is the worst of creatures, a wicked Christian is the worst of men, and a wicked minister is the worst of Christians.

Third, such a person is headed for ruin and rejection. He will be thrown out, removed from the church and from the fellowship of the faithful, where he is a stain and a burden. He will be trampled underfoot by men. Let God be honored in the shame and rejection of those who have dishonored him and made themselves fit for nothing but to be trodden down.

You are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). This also shows that they are useful, like salt, but even more glorious. All Christians are light in the Lord (Ephesians 5:8) and must shine as lights (Philippians 2:15), but ministers are so in a special way. Christ called himself the Light of the world (John 8:12), and they work together with him and share in his honor. Light is truly pleasant and welcome. The first light that shone in the world after darkness was good, and so is the morning light of each day. In the same way, the gospel, and those who spread it, are welcome to all thoughtful people.

The world sat in darkness, and Christ raised up his disciples to shine in it. To do that, they borrow and receive their light from him. This picture is explained in two ways. First, as lights of the world, they are bright and visible, and many eyes are on them. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Christ’s disciples, especially those who are eager and zealous in his service, become well known and stand out like beacons. They are given as signs (Isaiah 7:18), and people wonder at them (Zechariah 3:8). Their neighbors watch them closely. Some admire them, praise them, rejoice in them, and try to imitate them. Others envy them, hate them, criticize them, and try to damage their name. So they must walk carefully, because they are watched. They are like a spectacle to the world and must guard against anything that looks wrong, because so many eyes are on them.

Christ’s disciples were obscure men before he called them. But the honor he placed on them made them noble, and as gospel preachers they became important. Though some spoke against them, others respected them. They were even advanced to thrones and made judges (Luke 22:30), for Christ will honor those who honor him.

Second, as lights of the world, they are meant to give light to others (Matthew 5:15). So they must be set up as lights. Christ has lit these candles, and they will not be put under a bushel. They will not stay forever limited to the cities of Galilee or to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. They will be sent into all the world.

The churches are the lampstands, the golden lampstands, where these lights are placed so their light can spread. The gospel is such a strong light, and it gives such clear proof of itself, that it is like a city on a hill, it cannot be hidden. It must appear to come from God to all who do not willfully shut their eyes against it.

It gives light to all who are in the house, to all who draw near to it and come where it is. Those to whom it gives no light must blame themselves. They are not in the house with it. They do not make a careful and fair search into it, but come already opposed to it.

They must shine as lights, first by their good preaching. The knowledge they have must be passed on for the good of others. They must not put it under a basket, but spread it out. The gift they have received must not be buried away, but used and put to work. Christ’s disciples must not hide themselves in private life or obscurity, pretending it is for meditation, modesty, or self-protection. Instead, as they have received the gift, they must use it to serve others (Luke 12:3).

They must also shine by their good living. They must be burning and shining lights (John 5:35). Their whole way of life must show that they are truly followers of Christ (James 3:13). They should bring others instruction, guidance, encouragement, and comfort (Job 29:11).

Our light must shine by doing good works that people can see and approve of, works that are spoken well of among outsiders and that make them think well of Christianity. We should do good works that can be seen for the good of others, not for our own pride. We are told to pray in secret, and what belongs between God and our souls should stay there. But what is open and visible to people, we should make fit for our calling and worthy of praise (Philippians 4:8).

Those around us must not only hear our good words, they must see our good works. Then they will know that religion is more than a name, and that we do more than claim it, we live under its power.

Our light must shine for this purpose, so that those who see our good works do not glorify us, which is what the Pharisees wanted and what ruined all they did, but glorify our Father in heaven. God’s glory is the great aim in everything we do in religion (1 Peter 4:11). All our actions should meet at this center.

We must not only seek to glorify God ourselves, we must also do all we can to lead others to glorify him. The sight of our good works helps with that in two ways. First, it gives them reason to praise God. They see the power of God’s grace in us, and they thank him and give him the glory for it. He has given such power to people.

Second, it gives them a reason to become godly. They see our good works, they are convinced of the truth and beauty of the Christian faith, and they are stirred by holy desire to copy what they see. Then they glorify God. A holy, orderly, and consistent life can do much toward the conversion of sinners. People who do not know religion may learn what it is from this kind of life. Examples teach. And those who once resisted it may be won over by it. There is a power in a godly life that attracts others.