Matthew 5:13
“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.” Matthew 5:13, King James Version.
Stay Salty · Matthew 5:13
Crewneck · 7 colors
Price range: $36.95 through $39.95
Stay Salty · Matthew 5:13
Hoodie · 7 colors
Price range: $42.95 through $46.95
Stay Salty · Matthew 5:13
T-Shirt · 7 colors
Price range: $24.95 through $28.95
What does Matthew 5:13 mean?
The apostle Matthew recorded these words near the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus had gone up on a hillside in Galilee, sat down like a traditional rabbi, and begun teaching his disciples while a large crowd listened in. Right after the Beatitudes, which describe the humble character of kingdom citizens, Jesus explained how his followers should influence the world around them.
What it means
Jesus starts with a clear statement of identity: “Ye are the salt of the earth.” He does not tell his followers to try to become salt; he says they already are salt when they live by his words. In the ancient world before refrigeration, salt was essential. People used it to keep meat from rotting and to bring flavor to plain food. In the same way, Christians are placed in the world to slow down moral decay and show the goodness of God’s ways.
Then Jesus gives a warning: “but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted?” Pure salt does not lose its chemical saltiness, but salt gathered around the Dead Sea was often mixed with gypsum and dirt. If the actual salt washed away or was diluted, only a tasteless white powder remained. Jesus concludes that such salt “is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men,” because people simply threw ruined salt onto the dusty roads. A believer who blends completely into the surrounding culture loses the distinctiveness needed to help others see God.
Living it out
Living as “the salt of the earth” means staying distinct in our honesty, kindness, and devotion to Christ. When we refuse to join in gossip at work or choose integrity when no one is looking, we act as a spiritual preservative in our communities. Our Stay Salty design prints this KJV verse on made-to-order tees, hoodies, and sweatshirts so you can carry this reminder with you.
Frequently asked
What does savour mean in the King James Version of Matthew 5:13? Savour means taste, flavor, or the distinct salty quality that makes salt useful for preserving and seasoning.
Where else does the Bible talk about Christians and salt? Jesus repeats a similar warning in Mark 9:50 and Luke 14:34, and Paul mentions seasoning our speech with salt in Colossians 4:6.