Meaning, commentary and cross references
Matthew 5:14
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.”In other translations
KJV · King James Version
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
NIV · New International Version
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.
WEB · World English Bible
“You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can’t be hidden.
What does Matthew 5:14 mean?
John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on Matthew 5:14
Ye are the light of the world,.... What the luminaries, the sun and moon, are in the heavens, with respect to corporal light, that the apostles were in the world with regard to spiritual light; carrying and spreading the light of the Gospel not only in Judea, but all over the world, which was in great darkness of ignorance and error; and through a divine blessing attending their ministry, many were turned from the darkness of Judaism and Gentilism, of sin and infidelity, to the marvellous light of divine grace. The Jews were wont to say, that of the Israelites in general, and particularly of their sanhedrim, and of their learned doctors, what Christ more truly applies here to his apostles…
John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Matthew Henry · Commentary on the Whole Bible, on Matthew 5:13–16
Ye are the light of the world, Mat 5:14. This also bespeaks them useful, as the former (Sole et sale nihil utilius - Nothing more useful than the sun and salt), but more glorious. All Christians are light in the Lord (Eph 5:8), and must shine as lights (Phi 2:15), but ministers in a special manner. Christ call himself the Light of the world (Joh 8:12), and they are workers together with him, and have some of his honour put upon them.
Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
John Calvin · Commentaries, on Matthew 5:13–16
Ye are the light of the world: a city placed upon a mountain cannot be hid. 15. Neither do men light a candle, and put it upon a bushel but upon a candlestick, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16. Let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works, and may glorify your Father who is in heaven. 49. For every (man) shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt. 50.
John Calvin, Commentaries (Calvin Translation Society English text). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Context: Matthew 5:11–17 (WEB)
11“Blessed are you when people reproach you, persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 13“You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost its flavor, with what will it be salted? It is then good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under the feet of men. 14“You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can’t be hidden. 15Neither do you light a lamp and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand; and it shines to all who are in the house. 16Even so, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven. 17“Don’t think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn’t come to destroy, but to fulfill.
Cross references
- Philippians 2:15
that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without defect in the middle of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you are seen as lights in the world,
- John 8:12
Again, therefore, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”
- Ephesians 5:8–14
For you were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord. Walk as children of light,
- 1 Thessalonians 5:5
You are all children of light and children of the day. We don’t belong to the night, nor to darkness,
- Proverbs 4:18
But the path of the righteous is like the dawning light that shines more and more until the perfect day.
- John 12:36
While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become children of light.” Jesus said these things, and he departed and hid himself from them.
- Romans 2:19–20
and are confident that you yourself are a guide of the blind, a light to those who are in darkness,
- 2 Corinthians 6:14
Don’t be unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what fellowship do righteousness and iniquity have? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?