Matthew 5:14
What does Matthew 5:14 mean?
A plain-English look at Matthew 5:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Matthew 5:14 means
Jesus expands on the disciples' active role, declaring them to be "the light of the world." This metaphor emphasizes their responsibility to illuminate spiritual truth and moral goodness in a dark world, reflecting Jesus, who is the true Light. He uses the image of "A city set on a hill" which "cannot be hid" to illustrate the public and visible nature of their calling. Their lives and witness are meant to be seen and to attract attention, drawing others to God.
Matthew 5:14 in context
Matthew 5 — The Beatitudes
Jesus opens his Sermon on the Mount with eight pronouncements that turn the world's value system upside down. Blessing belongs not to the proud and self-sufficient but to the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, the hungry for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and the persecuted. In a few sentences he sketches the character of the citizens of the kingdom of heaven, and then calls them salt of the earth and light of the world.
- Kingdom ethics
- Inner righteousness
- True blessedness
- Light and salt
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Ye are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Ye are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949You are the light of the world. A town put on a hill may be seen by all.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`Ye are the light of the world, a city set upon a mount is not able to be hid;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752You are the light of the world. A city seated on a mountain cannot be hid.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Ye are the light of the world: a city situated on the top of a mountain cannot be hid.
Context
This verse builds directly on the previous metaphor of salt, moving from preservation and flavoring to illumination. It further emphasizes the public and visible nature of the disciples' calling, preparing for the practical implications of letting their light shine openly, which follow in the next two verses.
v.13Ye 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.
v.14This passage
v.15Neither do men light a lamp, and put it under the bushel, but on the stand; and it shineth unto all that are in the house.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Revelation 1:20
the mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks are seven churches.
- Philippians 2:15
that ye may become blameless and harmless, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom ye are seen as lights in the world,
- John 8:12
Again therefore Jesus spake unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life.
- Revelation 21:14
And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
- Genesis 11:4
And they said, Come, let us build us a city, and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven, and let us make us a name; lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.
- John 5:35
He was the lamp that burneth and shineth; and ye were willing to rejoice for a season in his light.
Sermon ideas from Matthew 5:14
Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.
What Matthew 5:14 teaches us about kingdom ethics
What Matthew 5:14 teaches us about inner righteousness
What Matthew 5:14 teaches us about true blessedness
What Matthew 5:14 teaches us about light and salt
Related questions readers ask
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