Devine Scripture

Matthew 5:16

What does Matthew 5:16 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 5:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 5:16 means

Jesus directly commands His followers to live in such a way that their "light"—their good works and righteous lives—is clearly visible to others. The ultimate purpose of this visible witness is not self-glorification, but that those who see their godly actions will be led to "glorify your Father who is in heaven." Their transformed lives become a powerful testimony, pointing others beyond themselves to the source of all goodness and light, God Himself.

Matthew 5:16 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 · 2000

Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Even so let your light be shining before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

so let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and may glorify your Father who <FI>is<Fi> in the heavens.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Let your light thus shine before men, so that they may see your upright works, and glorify your Father who is in the heavens.

Context

This verse provides the culmination and application of the "light of the world" metaphor from verses 14 and 15. It shifts from description to direct command, specifying that their visible good works are the means by which their light shines, transitioning the sermon from the character and influence of disciples to Jesus' relationship with the Law.

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.

v.16This passage

v.17Think not that I came to destroy the law or the prophets: I came not to destroy, but to fulfil.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Titus 2:7

    in all things showing thyself an ensample of good works; in thy doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity,

  • Matthew 5:45

    that ye may be sons of your Father who is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust.

  • 1 Peter 2:9

    But ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

  • 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,

  • 1 Peter 3:1

    In like manner, ye wives, bein subjection to your own husbands; that, even if any obey not the word, they may without the word be gained by the behavior of their wives;

  • 2 Thessalonians 1:10

    when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be marvelled at in all them that believed (because our testimony unto you was believed) in that day.

Sermon ideas from Matthew 5:16

Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.

  • What Matthew 5:16 teaches us about kingdom ethics

  • What Matthew 5:16 teaches us about inner righteousness

  • What Matthew 5:16 teaches us about true blessedness

  • What Matthew 5:16 teaches us about light and salt

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