What does Jesus mean when he says "You are the salt of the Earth."?

Question

In Matthew 5:13, Jesus says, "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 by men." What does he mean?

its for school...

Answer 1

Salt was used then as a preservative (no fridges). He meant that the message they carried would preserve life. The good news of the Kingdom. He warns them not to be corrupted, or they will lose their ability to preserve life.

Answer 2

There are several possible meanings. One is that we are something small which when we come in contact with something else, we influence or flavor it. Look at the other parables of the leaven and of the mustard seed.

Another possible meaning I heard was that salt was used as a catalyst to be able to use peat as a fuel for fire. One had to salt the earth in order that one could burn it. The allusions here would be that Jesus came to set the earth on fire. Fire is also associated with the Holy Spirit, so it would not necessarily mean Jesus wanted to bring real fire upon the earth, but the fire of hi love, the Holy Spirit, to purify us for our sins and make us holy. Yet, if the disciples are the salt of the earth, they are the ones who enable the Holy Spirit to purify the earth. If the salt looses its saltiness, it means it is no longer salty. Supposedly the salt would be a catalyst for the burning of the sod until the salt lost its saltiness. And then the fire would go out unless new salt was added. The salt that had lost its saltiness was thrown out into the street.

Answer 3

In Revelation this ties Jehovah and Jesus being an similar: pass to Rev a million:8-Who said i'm the first and the finest? Jehovah did. Now study Rev 22:12-16. In 16-i'm Jesus it states. And the author. Eph 3:9 And to make all adult men see what's the fellowship of the secret, which from the starting up of the international hath been hid in God, who created all issues by Jesus Christ:

Answer 4

salt is a preservative. we are to preserve the earth, preserve the Word of Christ, preserve all that is good.
salt (we) lose the saltiness when we no longer care about anything or anyone other than our self. self gain and self preservation is the only motive.
we can regain saltiness by doing what is right, by not being selfish, and doing what we can to help one another and do what is the right thing.

Answer 5

You are the substance of life.
Salt is a preservative. If it loses it's effectiveness it's useless.

The Hebrew word salt not only means to be soft, smooth and soothing, it was believed to possess healing properties. Salt was rubbed over newborn babies as a sign of cleansing and healing. Salt was also worn in the pockets and sprinkled in the corner of rooms to ward off evil spirits and protect the people in the home from evil and danger. Is it not the role of believers to be used of God to bring healing to a lost and dying world by proclaiming the sacrifice of Jesus? Are we not called by Jesus to be peacemakers? Salt is a symbol of peace. We are not only called to bring peace but to bring soothing and comfort to those who are in pain. Many scientists believe that salt cannot really lose its saltiness but that it can be diluted. It can indeed lose its effectiveness. Salt that was collected from the area around the Dead Sea was taken to Jerusalem and stored in the Temple. Salt that was not pure enough to be mixed with the offerings was stored separately and used to coat the marble courtyards when it rained in order to reduce the slipperiness of the pavement. It was trodden under the foot of men. Jesus is the sacrifice and we are the salt added to that sacrifice. Before we can be salt to the world and to the community, we must first be salt to our own families. Before we can be priests to the world, we must first be effective priests in our own homes.

Answer 6

The phrase is based on the value of salt in the Biblical times in which Jesus lived. It was a highly valued and highly priced commodity. Salt added to food improved its flavor but even more importantly was used to "preserve" foods. (Keep from spoiling)

I think what Jesus meant in this context is that his followers (because of their faith and thier behavior) are highly valued by him because they add so much to His kingdom and to other humans. If someone loses their "salt", it means that they are no longer adding anything to anyone. Not contributing to life more or less so they have become worthless.

Answer 7

Jesus sent out his disciples in 2's to Preach the Good News of God's Kingdom. Just as literal salt helps to enhance the taste of food, It also provides minerals we need to live.
So to, being taught by the truth from the bible about what God requires of us is liken to life saving salt.

Answer 8

before refridgeration, salt was used to preserve meat. so if we are salt, we are preserving this world (flesh, mankind), and for lack of a better word, holding out until wrath comes.

if salt (the kind used in Bible times) is subjected to to much assault by water, it loses some of its properties, such as taste and preserving ability. when you keep rejecting and reaccepting Jesus, you're usefullness starts to wear down. Eventually, no one'll be able to trust you as a Christian, or a sinner, as you're a sinner, but don't appear that way.

Answer 9

Salt preserves from corruption. The disciples of Christ preserve the world from general corruption. Whatever becomes utterly corrupted is doomed to be destroyed.
But if the salt have lost its savour. Salt is worthless if it has lost its qualities. It preserves no longer. It is fit only to be cast out and trodden under foot. So, too, if those who are the salt of the earth cease to communicate saving power, they are fit only to be cast out, and Christ will cast such out of his mouth (see Re 3:16).

Answer 10

He meant that we as Christians add the spice to Faith by our actions as they are witness by believers and non-believers alike. But if we carry ourselves in a tasteless fashion, someone who is seeing us for the first time will gather a bad first impression. Once that happens, we are at a loss of trust. Once trust is gone, it is gone. But that's what I hear in those words.