Matthew 5:16

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 5:13-16

Christian influence. It was not to the outside multitude, but to his own disciples, that Jesus addressed these words. To these, more immediately, the whole sermon was preached (see Matthew 5:1 , Matthew 5:2 ). We have to consider Christians— I. AS THE SALT OF THE EARTH . 1 . God ' s instruments for its purification. 2 . They impart relish to life. 3 . They preserve the world from destruction. 4 . In preserving they are preserved. II. AS ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 5:13-16

The influence of sanctified characters. The righteousness which Christ commends will exert in the world a most gracious moral influence. It will season, as the salt does; it will illuminate and quicken, as the light does. "Salt seasons things, causing things to taste savoury, which otherwise would be no way pleasant, or wholesome, or good for the body." "Our Lord applies to his disciples the stronger word "light," i.e. essential light, rather than any which signifies merely a light-bearer.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 5:16

Matthew only. Let your light so shine ; even so let your light shine (Revised Version); οὕτως λαμψὰτω τὸ φῶς ὑμῶν . The Revised Version (cf. Rheims) does away with the misinterpretation suggested by the Authorized Version, "so that," for οὕτως refers solely to the method of shining spoken of in verse 15, "like a burning lamp upon its stand" (Meyer). Our Lord has here no thought of effort in shining, such as may improve the brightness of the light given, or of illuminating... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 5:16

Let your light so shine ... - Let your holy life, your pure conversation, and your faithful instructions, be everywhere seen and known. Always, in all societies, in all business, at home and abroad, in prosperity and adversity, let it be seen that you are real Christians.That they may see your good works - The proper motive to influence us is not simply that we may be seen (compare Matthew 6:1), but it should be that our heavenly Father may be glorified. The Pharisees acted to be seen of men,... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 5:16

Matthew 5:16. Let your light The light of that doctrine which you receive from me, and the light of your holy conversation, so shine before men Be so evident and apparent unto men, that they may see your good works, and glorify, &c. That is, that seeing your good works they may both praise God for sending such a religion into the world, and also, embracing your faith, may imitate your holy example, or may be moved to love and serve God as you do, and thereby to glorify him. Here... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:13-16

38. Christ’s people in the world (Matthew 5:13-16)Salt can be used to preserve food from decay and to give food flavour. Christ’s people should have a similar effect upon the world, as they resist the corrupting effects of sin and help make the world a better place to live. But if they do not discipline themselves to develop and maintain this salt-like quality, they will be of no use for God (Matthew 5:13-14).The followers of Jesus are lights for God in a dark world. Like a city on a hill they... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 5:16

so = thus. that = so that. read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Matthew 5:15-16

Matthew 5:15-16. Neither do men light a candle, &c.— This seems to be a proverbial expression. See the application that Christ makes of it on another occasion; Mark 4:21.Luke 8:16; Luke 8:16; Luke 11:33. They formerly used lamps only, instead of candles, and the candlestick was the foot on which they were set up. The meaning of this comparison is the same with that foregoing. The disciples and Christians, being the lights of the world, were designed to light men out of the ways of ignorance... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Matthew 5:16

16. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven—As nobody lights a lamp only to cover it up, but places it so conspicuously as to give light to all who need light, so Christians, being the light of the world, instead of hiding their light, are so to hold it forth before men that they may see what a life the disciples of Christ lead, and seeing this, may glorify their Father for so redeeming, transforming, and ennobling... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 5:11-16

Their calling 5:11-16Jesus proceeded to clarify His disciples’ calling and ministry in the world to encourage them to endure persecution and to fulfill God’s purpose for them."Some might think that Matthew 5:11-12 constitute the concluding Beatitude, since these verses begin with the words ’blessed are you". But it is noteworthy that only here in the Beatitudes do we meet a verb in the second person (i.e., ’blessed are you’). In addition there are 36 (Greek) words in this Beatitude compared to... read more

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