Mark 9:50
What does Mark 9:50 mean?
A plain-English look at Mark 9:50 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Mark 9:50 means
Jesus concludes by speaking about salt, emphasizing its goodness but also its potential to lose its flavor, making it useless for seasoning. He then commands His disciples to "Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace one with another." This uses salt as a metaphor for spiritual distinctiveness, moral purity, and preserving influence. Disciples are called to maintain their spiritual vitality, influencing others for good, and to live in harmonious relationship with one another, reflecting the peace of Christ.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Salt is good: but if the salt have lost its saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace one with another.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Salt is good: but if the salt have lost its saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace one with another.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Salt is good; but if the taste goes from it, how will you make it salt again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace one with another.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862The salt <FI>is<Fi> good, but if the salt may become saltless, in what will ye season <FI>it<Fi> ? Have in yourselves salt, and have peace in one another.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Not available in this translation
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Salt [is] good, but if the salt is become saltless, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.
Context
This verse brings Jesus' discourse to a practical conclusion, building on the previous enigmatic statement about being "salted with fire." It transitions from abstract theological concepts to direct application for the disciples' lives and relationships, emphasizing spiritual authenticity and interpersonal peace. This final instruction serves as a foundational call to live out the kingdom values He has taught, particularly in contrast to their earlier disputes about greatness.
v.49For every one shall be salted with fire.
v.50This passage
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 5:13
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.
- Ephesians 4:29
Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for edifying as the need may be, that it may give grace to them that hear.
- Colossians 3:12
Put on therefore, as God’s elect, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, longsuffering;
- Job 6:6
Can that which hath no savor be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?
- Hebrews 12:14
Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no man shall see the Lord:
- John 15:17
These things I command you, that ye may love one another.
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