are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can’t be hidden. Neither do you light a lamp, and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand; and it shines to all who are in the house. Even so, let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
Context / meaning
“Blessed are you when people reproach you, persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 5 [13.] “You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost its flavor, with what will it be salted? It is then good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under the feet of men. You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can’t be hidden. Neither do you light a lamp, and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand; and it shines to all who are in the house. Even so, let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5 [17.] “Don’t think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn’t come to destroy, but to fulfill. For most certainly, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not even one smallest letter[e] or one tiny pen stroke[f] shall in any way pass away from the law, until all things are accomplished. Whoever, therefore, shall break one of these least commandments, and teach others to do so, shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven; but whoever shall do and teach them shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, there is no way you will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.
Footnotes:
e. Matthew 5:18 literally, iota.
f. Matthew 5:18 or, serif.
Meaning
This passage is part of the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus is teaching his followers about the nature of the Kingdom of God and how they are to live as members of that Kingdom. In this particular passage, Jesus is using the metaphor of light to describe the role and responsibility of his followers in the world.
The first part of the passage, "You are the light of the world," is a statement that is both profound and challenging. By calling his followers "the light of the world," Jesus is indicating that they have a crucial role to play in the world - to bring illumination, clarity, and truth to a world that is often darkened by sin, ignorance, and confusion.
The second part of the passage, "A town built on a hill cannot be hidden," reinforces the idea that the followers of Jesus are meant to be visible and public in their faith. They are not meant to hide their faith or keep it private; rather, they are meant to let it shine brightly for all to see.
The third part of the passage, "Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house," emphasizes the importance of visibility and usefulness. A lamp that is hidden or covered serves no purpose; it is only when it is placed on a stand that it can fulfill its intended purpose of giving light to everyone in the house. Similarly, the followers of Jesus are meant to be visible and useful in the world, so that they can fulfill their intended purpose of shining a light of truth and love in the darkness.
The final part of the passage, "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven," provides the reason and motivation for why the followers of Jesus are called to be a light in the world. They are not just meant to be visible or useful; they are meant to be a reflection of God's goodness and love. By doing good deeds and shining a light of truth and love in the darkness, they can bring glory to God and draw others closer to him.
Overall, Matthew 5:14-16 is a powerful reminder of the importance of visibility and usefulness in the Christian life. Jesus is calling his followers to be a light in the darkness, to bring clarity and truth to a world that is often darkened by sin and confusion. He is also calling them to be visible and useful, so that they can fulfill their intended purpose of shining a light of truth and love in the darkness. And finally, he is calling them to do good deeds and reflect God's goodness and love, so that they can bring glory to God and draw others closer to him.
Matthew 5:14-16. “You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can’t be hidden. Neither do you light a lamp, and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand; and it shines to all who are in the house. Even so, let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
Christians - nationality
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible
