Matthew 5:13 Meaning of You Are the Salt of the Earth

Matthew 5:13
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.”

Explanation and Commentary of Matthew 5:13

Jesus is addressing his disciples. He is saying that on the earth they provide the savor of the Gospel. They will go to the whole earth, full of the Spirit, to carry the truth of the risen Savior. They have become salty by receiving the truth and applying it to their lives, and they will spread it over the earth by going to preach the Gospel.

As Christians, we are called to the same. We have brought out the flavors of truth, righteousness, and God himself, by our lives, but we must spread to the world around us. It does no good to know God and begin the race, only to quit down the track. If we do that, we will lose our saltiness. When that happens there is nothing that can be done. No one puts his hand to the plow and then looks back. If he does, he is not fit.

Seek the Lord and his Kingdom daily and stay salty. Continue to show the world the flavors of God. Spread this saltiness anywhere you have influence.

Breaking Down the Key Parts of Matthew 5:13

#1 “You are the salt of the earth.”
Jesus’ disciples were the first fruits of the Christian Church. Jesus came to reveal the truth of who the Father is and to call men and women to believe and become the light of the world, the salt of the earth. By these disciples, God would manifest himself on the earth. Pepper changes the flavor, salt brings it out. They, and we, will bring out the flavors of God in the world.

#2 “But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?”
Salt cannot actually lose its saltiness unless it is diluted to the point that it is something other than salt. Once that happens, it is ruined and can no longer be used. The things that dilute God’s presence in us are the influence of the world, our own sin, and our own unbelief.

#3 “It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.”
If you have been born again you cannot lose your salvation. If you seem to walk away (1 Jn 2:19) it is evident that you were never saved. Jesus may be speaking of those who, like the seed thrown on shallow soil, or among weeds (Mk 4:1-20) fail to bear fruit. There seems to be a kind of belief, or saltiness at first, but it proves to be good for nothing, “except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.”

Expert Overview of Matthew Ch. 1-13

Biblical Translations of Matthew 5:13

NIV
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.”

NLT
“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.”

ESV
“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.”

KJV
“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.”

NKJV
“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.”