Matthew 5 13

Matthew 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.

Matthew 5:13 nkjv

"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.

Matthew 5:13 niv

"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.

Matthew 5:13 esv

"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.

Matthew 5:13 nlt

"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.

Matthew 5 verses

Matthew 5 13 Meaning

You, who are followers of Christ, are identified as the vital element that preserves, purifies, and flavors the world, countering its corruption and decay. However, if this transformative influence within believers weakens or vanishes, it becomes utterly ineffective and thus useless for its intended spiritual purpose, facing ultimate rejection and contempt. This serves as a solemn warning against the loss of spiritual distinctiveness and the abandonment of divine calling.

Matthew 5 13 Context

Matthew 5:13 is part of Jesus's Sermon on the Mount, immediately following the Beatitudes (5:3-12). The Beatitudes describe the internal character and attitudes of those blessed by God's kingdom. Following this foundational description of kingdom citizens, Jesus moves to their external purpose and impact on the world. He defines their identity and function before elaborating on the fulfillment of the Law (5:17-48) and righteous practices (6:1-7:12). The statements "You are the salt of the earth" and "You are the light of the world" are emphatic declarations of the disciple's identity, role, and responsibility, shifting from a focus on the recipient of blessing to the active agent of change. Historically and culturally, salt was highly valued for its preserving, flavoring, and purifying properties, particularly in an era without refrigeration. It was essential for life and economy, making it a powerful metaphor for necessary, vital influence. This passage implicitly challenges any insular, ineffective religiosity that lacked outward impact or transformative power on society, contrasting with a performative piety that had lost its preserving force.

Matthew 5 13 Word analysis

• You (Ὑμεῖς - Hymeis): This is a plural, emphatic "you," directly addressing the disciples who were with Him, representing all who would follow. It indicates a clear, direct, and personal calling, distinguishing them from the crowds or even the Pharisees. It emphasizes identity, "You are", not "You should be."
• are (ἐστε - este): Present tense, indicative verb. It signifies a statement of being, not merely an aspiration or command. Their identity is salt; their very nature as disciples qualifies them for this role.
• the salt (τὸ ἅλας - to halas): The definite article "the" indicates a specific, unique quality. "Halas" (salt) carried several important connotations:
  • Preservative: Salt was crucial for preventing decay in meat and fish in ancient times. Believers are called to arrest the moral and spiritual corruption of the world.
  • Flavoring: Salt enhances taste. Believers add "flavor" to life, making it meaningful and palatable, bringing joy and purpose to society.
  • Purifier/Antiseptic: Salt was used in some healing remedies and cleansing rituals. Believers bring moral clarity and spiritual healing.
  • Covenant: "Covenant of salt" (Num 18:19) symbolized an enduring, unbreakable agreement with God, implying integrity and faithfulness required from believers.
  • Fertilizer (limited): While too much salt ruins soil, in small, specific applications, salt was thought to enhance fertility.
  This implies that the role of a disciple is foundational, essential, and irreplaceable for the health of the world.
• of the earth (τῆς γῆς - tēs gēs): Not just "of Israel" or "of the community," but "of the world," referring to humanity and human society at large. This signifies a universal scope for the disciples' influence, not limited to a specific geographic or ethnic group. It's a broad, global mission.
• but if (ἐὰν δέ - ean de): Introduces a hypothetical, conditional clause, serving as a solemn warning or caution. It indicates a potential failure, despite the declared identity.
• the salt (τὸ ἅλας - to halas): Reiteration of the specific identity given to the disciples.
• loses its flavor / has become tasteless (μωρανθῇ - mōranthē): The Greek verb "mōrainō" literally means "to make foolish," "to become insipid," "to grow dull," or "to become tasteless." Pure sodium chloride (salt) doesn't literally "lose its flavor" chemically. In ancient times, salt was often unrefined, mixed with impurities (e.g., gypsum). If these impurities remained after salt was extracted, they would look like salt but lack its flavor and properties, thus rendering it "useless." Spiritually, this refers to a believer losing their distinctive spiritual characteristics—their holy influence, their commitment to Christ's teachings, their moral purity, or their transforming power—becoming indistinguishable from the world. It suggests spiritual apathy, compromise, or corruption, a failure to live up to their calling.
• how (ἐν τίνι - en tini): Rhetorical question, implying a profound difficulty or impossibility.
• can it be restored to saltiness / salted (ἁλισθήσεται - halisthēsetai): Means "to be salted" or "to have salt applied." The question implies that once the intrinsic nature (spiritual distinctiveness) of the "salt" is lost, it cannot regain it. The metaphor isn't about adding salt to tasteless salt but about the salt itself becoming tasteless, and therefore inherently useless for its original purpose. This points to the severe, potentially irreversible consequences of losing spiritual vitality and influence.
• It is no longer good (οὐκ ἔτι ἀξία - ouk eti axia): An emphatic negation of value or worth. It loses its usefulness for its primary function.
• for anything (οὐδέν - ouden): Total worthlessness, for any beneficial purpose related to its original identity.
• except (εἰ μὴ - ei mē): Introduces the sole remaining purpose—rejection and disposal.
• to be thrown out (βληθῆναι ἔξω - blēthēnai exō): Indicates dismissal, expulsion, or rejection from the sphere of usefulness. It implies removal from God's intended purpose for such "salt."
• and to be trampled underfoot by men (καὶ καταπατεῖσθαι ὑπὸ τῶν ἀνθρώπων - kai katapateisthai hypo tōn anthrōpōn): A vivid image of contempt, disgrace, and utter worthlessness. Just as useless refuse would be discarded and walked upon, so too would a Christian who has lost their distinct spiritual saltiness be despised or rendered irrelevant, and possibly even treated with contempt by the very world they were meant to influence. It's a dire warning of the world's perception and God's judgment on unfulfilled calling.

Matthew 5 13 Bonus section

The strong contrast drawn by Jesus in "salt...loses its flavor" and its consequences highlights a significant theological point: it's not simply about one's salvation status but about one's active role and faithfulness within the Kingdom of God. While the identity "You are the salt" points to the regenerated nature of believers, the warning against losing its flavor (mōrainō) refers to the failure to fulfill their purpose and calling. This implies that one can possess the identity yet fail in their function, leading to dire consequences within the sphere of the Kingdom's influence and ultimately a loss of reward or status in judgment, though not necessarily a loss of salvation itself (as distinct from apostasy described in Heb 6). The Greek word "mōrainō" (to become foolish, dull, tasteless) can imply spiritual discernment failure, a "foolishness" in conduct that negates their influence, further linking this passage to wisdom literature. The emphasis is on continuous distinctiveness and integrity, otherwise the very people meant to uplift and preserve the world contribute nothing beneficial, ironically ending up trodden underfoot by the very elements they were supposed to impact.

Matthew 5 13 Commentary

Jesus declares that His disciples are the salt of the earth, defining their identity not merely as a suggestion but as their inherent role in the world. As salt, believers are called to be agents of preservation, combating the decay and corruption of sin, and to provide savor and meaning where blandness and emptiness exist. This is a profound responsibility, signifying a vital and indispensable function.

The severe warning, however, underlines the danger of failing to live up to this high calling. "If salt loses its flavor" metaphorically refers to believers losing their distinct spiritual vitality, holiness, and effectiveness—becoming indistinguishable from the world. Pure salt doesn't lose its chemical properties, but ancient salt, often impure, could become useless. Spiritually, this refers to Christians becoming spiritually dull, compromised, or ineffective, forfeiting their holy distinctiveness and moral impact. Such a loss of efficacy renders them worthless for their divine purpose. They become fit for nothing but being cast out and trampled underfoot, an image of ultimate rejection and contempt, both from God and by a world that finds no genuine, preserving, or life-giving quality in them. The passage urges continuous spiritual vibrancy and faithfulness, reminding believers that their influence hinges on their intrinsic character and commitment to Christ.

Examples:

• A Christian community known for genuine love and service acting as "salt" by preserving moral integrity in a corrupt society.
• An individual believer whose life reflects purity and Christ's character, thus slowing moral decay in their workplace.
• A church that prioritizes conformity to cultural trends over biblical truth has "lost its flavor," becoming ineffective and easily dismissed by the world.