Matthew 5:13–20

Bible Studies for Life
Associate Professor of Religion, Samford University

Distinct in My Influence 

Matthew 5:13–20

We continue our unit on the Sermon on the Mount. Notice that Jesus uses metaphors (salt, earth, light, city, lamps, writing, kingdom) without explaining what they mean. Does He assume His audience will know what He’s talking about because they share the same symbols, or does He want them to work out their understanding through reason, prayer and the guidance of the Holy Spirit? Or is it a combination?

Influence others by being God’s salt that creates an appeal for the gospel. (13)

This passage should be read in light of the beatitudes, which we talked about last week. Now Jesus compares ignoring what He has just said to salt losing its saltiness: both violate their purpose and become useless. Despite their varied personalities, gifts and skills, Jesus’ followers share some qualities of character and assigned tasks while on this earth. The beatitudes stipulate humility, courage (the willingness to suffer for righteousness’ sake), relinquishing power, seeking God’s justice, mercy, pure intentions, looking after the wellbeing of others and enduring suffering. Knowing this is more important than trying to figure out what salt was used for in Jesus’ day, which then becomes an allegory for what Christians are supposed to be and do. Jesus is saying, “I have told you who My followers should be. Fulfill your character.”

Influence others by being the light that reflects and points to Christ. (14–16)

Here Jesus repeats the idea. It makes as much sense not to live the beatitudes as it does to hide a city on a hill. In Jesus’ day, the city of Sepphoris sat on a hilltop at the edge of a valley near Nazareth (look at your Bible maps). As a result it was visible for miles around. Also to light a lamp and place it under a basket violates the lamp’s purpose. In Jesus’ day a lamp emitted about one candle’s worth of light. A lampstand raised the lamp and reduced the amount of shadow cast in a room.

Jesus does explain this metaphor. Frequently “light” stands for truth or understanding, but here it is an image for good works. Acting out the character Jesus calls for serves as a beacon drawing people to God. Who gives God glory? God’s followers. So Jesus is talking about living in such a way that people become convinced that they too should become God’s followers. This is why, particularly during election seasons, Christians call for their brothers and sisters in Christ (including the politicians who claim to follow Christ) to put aside rancor and mean-spirited discourse, which have the opposite effect.

Influence others by your obedience to God’s Word. (17–20)

Jesus has a more positive attitude about the “Law” and the scribes and Pharisees than people give Him credit for. The “Law” and “Prophets” are two divisions of the Bible in Jesus’ day. The other is the “Writings.” Jesus is saying He fulfills the purpose for which the Bible was given: to convince people of their need for God and God’s care for them, to instruct and encourage God’s people in how to live righteously, to warn them of the consequences of rejecting God and to anticipate the kingdom of heaven by living here and now as we will there and then.

In verse 18, Jesus says, “Not one ‘iota’ [a Greek letter equivalent to an English i] or upper stroke [i.e. of a letter] will depart the Law until all things come to pass.” “Until heaven and earth pass away,” God’s people and God’s Church will rely on Scripture and on Jesus’ interpretation of Scripture to guide them in righteousness.