Matthew 5:13-16

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 5:14-16

Light is a common symbol in the Bible. It represents purity, truth, knowledge, divine revelation, and God’s presence all in contrast to their opposites. The Israelites thought of themselves as lights in a dark world (Isaiah 42:6; Romans 2:19). However the Old Testament spoke of Messiah as the true light of the world (Isaiah 42:6; Isaiah 49:6; cf. Matthew 4:16; John 8:12; John 9:5; John 12:35; 1 John 1:7). Jesus’ disciples are lights in the derived sense, as the moon is a light but only because... read more

John Darby

Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament - Matthew 5:13

5:13 earth; (a-7) Or 'land.' read more

John Darby

Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament - Matthew 5:15

5:15 bushel, (b-12) I have left 'bushel' as well known; it was a measure under half a bushel. read more

John Darby

Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament - Matthew 5:16

5:16 upright (c-14) I do not put 'good works,' because it has acquired the force of benevolent actions, which is not the force here, but all that is upright and honourable and comely, what ought to be in one who feels aright. 'Upright' does not quite give the whole sense. see 'good work,' Mark 14:6 ; Titus 2:14 . read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 5:1-48

The Sermon on the MountJohn 5:1 to John 7:29. The Sermon on the Mount: see Luke 6:20. This sermon is so similar to the sermon reported by St. Luke (Luke 6:20), that it is best to regard them as identically the same. It is true that it has been plausibly suggested that our Lord during His preaching tours often repeated nearly the same sermon to different audiences, and that St. Matthew has given us the sermon as delivered at one place and St. Luke as delivered at another, but the resemblances... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Matthew 5:13

(13) Ye are the salt of the earth.—The words are spoken to the disciples in their ideal character, as the germ of a new Israel, called to a prophetic work, preserving the earth from moral putrescence and decay. The general reference to this antiseptic action of salt is (as in Colossians 4:6, and possibly in the symbolic act of Elisha, 2 Kings 2:21) enough to give an adequate meaning to the words, but the special reference to the sacrificial use of salt in Mark 9:49 (see Note there) makes it... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Matthew 5:14

(14) The light of the world.—In its highest or truest sense the word belongs to Christ, and to Him only (John 1:9; John 8:12). The comparison to the “candle” or “lamp” in Matthew 5:15 shows, indeed, that even here the disciples are spoken of as shining in the world with a derived brightness flowing to them from the Fount of light.A city that is set on an hill.—Assuming the Sermon on the Mount to have been preached from one of the hills of Galilee near the “horns of Hattin,” our Lord may have... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Matthew 5:15

(15) Light a candle.—The word so rendered was probably a portable lamp rather than a candle in the common meaning of the word. The candles of the seven-branched candlestick of the Temple were undoubtedly lamps supplied with oil, and so probably were the “candles” of household use. The word is not the same, however, as that used for the “lamps” of the Wise and Foolish Virgins (Matthew 25:1), and was applied apparently to the cheaper vessels of the poor rather than to those of the wealthy. Wiclif... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Matthew 5:16

(16) Let your light so shine.—The English form of the sentence is somewhat misleading, or at least ambiguous. It is not simply, Let your light so shine that men may glorify; but, “Thus, like the lamp on its stand, let your light shine. . . .” The motive to publicity is, however, the direct opposite of the temper which led the Pharisee to his ostentatious prayers and almsgiving; not “to be seen of men,” and win their praise, but to win men, through our use of the light which we know to be not... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Matthew 5:1-48

The Beatitudes Illustrated By Events in the Passion Matthew 5:0 1. Christ condemned. Pilate washes his hands and declares Christ innocent. 'Blessed are the pure in heart.' 2. Christ takes up the cross. 'Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake.' 3. Christ falls under the weight of the cross. 'Blessed are they that mourn.' 4. Christ meekly allows another to share His cross. 'Blessed are the meek.' 5. Christ comforts the women. 'Blessed are the merciful.' 6. Christ stripped... read more

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