HOME | SCRIPTURE INDEX | MOVIE INDEX | ART INDEX | SEARCH | ABOUT | MOBILE | ADVERTISE | SUPPORT | BLOG | CONTACT

Matthew 5:13-20

With thanks to page sponsor 2014:
Pastor S. Blake Duncan
Peace Lutheran Church, Steeleville, Illinois
and the Watburg Geographical Parish

• Reading the Text:
  • NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser.
  • Greek Interlinear Bible, ScrTR, ScrTR t, Strong, Parsing, CGTS, CGES id, AV.
  • The Bible Gateway: NRSV, RSV, NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
  • The Blue Letter Bible. KJV, alternate versions, Greek text with concordance, commentaries.
  • The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary & sermons.
• Historical References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
  • The Five Gospels Parallels, John W. Marshall, University of Toronto.
  • "World Light," The Jesus Database, an online annotated inventory of the traditions concerning the life and teachings of Jesus. Dr. Gregory C. Jenks, FaithFutures Foundation.
  • Chapter XV, The Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians, Ignatius of Antioch (c. c 110). (Longer version only - 4th cent interpolation.)
  • Chapter CV, Dialogue With Trypho, Justin Martyr. (c 160)
  • VIII, 40-43, 46-49; Tatian's Diatessaron (c. 150-160).
  • I.III.2, I.VI.1, IV.VII.3, IV.XIII.1, IV.XXXI.3, IV.XXXIV.2, IV.XXXVII.3, Adversus Haereses, Irenaeus of Lyons. (c. 180)
  • Chapter IX, Adversus Judaeos, Tertullian (c. 198)
  • Chapter IX, Exhortation to the Greeks, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
  • III.11, Paedagogus, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
  • Chapter XXVI, The Prescription of Heretics, Tertullian (c. 200)
  • I.1, I.8, II.18, II.19, III.4, III.6, IV.26, VI.15, VI.18, Stromata, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
  • II.2, II.13, On The Apparel of Women, Tertullian (c. 202)
  • IV.7, IV.9, IV.12, IV.36, Against Marcion, Tertullian (c. 210)
  • Chapter VII, Exhortation to Chastity, Tertullian (c. 210)
  • Chapter II, Chapter XIV, On Idolatry, Tertullian (c. 211)
  • V.14, Against Marcion, Tertullian (c. 212)
  • Chapter VII, On Monogamy, Tertullian (c. 215)
  • Chapter VI, On Modesty, Tertullian (c. 217)
  • V.II, VI.XIX, The Refutation of all Heresies (Philosophumena), Hippolytus of Rome. (c. 225)
  • I.24, II.11, Commentary on the Gospel of John, Origen. (c.228)
  • VI.38, Commentary on the Gospel of John, Philocalia [anthology of Origen prepared by St. Basil and St. Gregory Nazianzen], Origen. (c.230)
  • V.X, VII.LI, VIII.LXX, Against Celsus, Origen (c. 246)
  • X.3, X.12, XIII.15, Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew, Origen. (c.247)
  • Epistle VI -- Cyprian of Carthage (c. 250)
  • On the Unity of the Church, Paragraph 1, Cyprian of Carthage (c. 250)
  • Epistle LXII -- Cyprian of Carthage (c. 253)
  • Epistle LXXVI -- Cyprian of Carthage (c. 255)
  • Augustine: "Our Lord's Sermon on the Mount." (Book I, Part I.)
  • Homily XVI - Matthew 5:17, Homilies on the Gospel of St. Matthew, St. Chrysostom (c. 380)
  • Commentary on a Harmony of the Evangelists, John Calvin, 1558: Matthew 5:13-16/Mark 9;49-50; 4:21; Luke 14:34-35; 8:16; 11:33, Matthew 5:17-19/Luke 14:17.
  • From the Catena Aurea, Patristic Commentary by St Thomas Aquinas.
  • From the Geneva Notes.
    • "You shine and give light by being made partakers of the true light."
  • From Matthew Henry's Commentary.
    • "Mankind, lying in ignorance and wickedness, were as a vast heap, ready to putrify; but Christ sent forth his disciples, by their lives and doctrines to season it with knowledge and grace."
  • From Wesley's Notes.
    • "To establish, illustrate, and explain its highest meaning, both by my life and doctrine."
  • The Sermon on the Mount 4 (Matt 5:13-16), 5 (Matt 5:17-20). Sermons by John Wesley.
  • From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
    • "The value of salt for these purposes is abundantly referred to by classical writers as well as in Scripture; and hence its symbolical significance in the religious offerings as well of those without as of those within the pale of revealed religion."
  • From The People's New Testament, B.W. Johnson, 1891.
    • "Salt preserves from corruption. The disciples of Christ preserve the world from general corruption. Whatever becomes utterly corrupted is doomed to be destroyed."
• Contemporary Commentary, Studies, and Exegesis:
  • Commentary, Matthew 5:13-20, Karoline Lewis, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2017
    • ""You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world.""
  • "Light for the World," Alan Brehm, The Waking Dreamer, 2016.
    • "When we demonstrate the difference God's grace makes in real human life on a daily basis, we are living as light for the world."
  • "A Provocation of the Gospel," Richard Swanson, 2017.
  • Commentary, Matthew 5:13-20 | Tyler Boyer | A Plain Account, 2017
    • "The law is to be lived as it is, undiminished and undiluted. For Jesus whoever does what is commanded and keeps law will be called great in the kingdom."
  • "Salt and Light in the Beleaeguered City," Nancy Rockwell, The Bite in the Apple, 2017
  • "The Politics of Saltiness," Amy Allen, Political Theology Today, 2017.
  • "Speaking as a Pharisee," Andrew Prior, 2017.
  • "Be the Light," Melissa Bane Sevier, Contemplative Viewfinder, 2017.
  • "Just Be It," Karoline Lewis, Dear Working Preacher, 2017.
  • The Center for Excellence in Preaching, resources from Calvin Theological Seminary: Comments & Observations, Textual Points, Illustration Ideas, 2017.
  • Pulpit Fiction, plus podcast. Reflections of lectionary text, pop culture, current events, etc. Robb Mc Coy and Eric Fistler, 2017. 2014.
  • "A Better Righteousness," Glenn Monson, Law & Gospel Everywhere, 2017.
  • "You Are the Light of the World," Janet H Hunt, Dancing with the Word, 2017.
  • Commentary, Matthew 5:13-20, Amy Oden, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2014.
    • "Jesus’ teaching on salt and light is likely very familiar to you as preacher, as well as to your listeners."
  • "Salt and Light," David Lose, Dear Working Preacher, 2014.
    • "...we are again faced with the insidious temptation to hear Jesus' words as requirement rather than blessing, as command rather than commissioning."
  • "Isaiah and Jesus: Critical Dissent as a Form of Faith," Dan Clendenin, Journey with Jesus, 2014.
    • "Dissent is not disloyalty. Vibrant faith demands critical vigilance, especially from its own insiders."
  • "Reflections on the Sermon on the Mount," Alyce M. McKenzie, Edgy Exegesis, 2014.
    • "Could we critique Jesus' Sermon on the Mount for setting up an impossible goal for the listener?"
  • "The Heart of the Law and the Light of the World," D. Mark Davis, Left Behind and Loving It, 2014.
  • "Luminous Darkness," Debra Dean Murphy, Ekklesia Project, 2014.
  • Matthew 5:13-20, Rob Myallis, Lectionary Greek, 2014.
  • "Salt and Light," Nancy Rockwell, 2014.
  • "Be Salt and Light," Anne Howard, The Beatitudes Society, 2014.
  • Pulpit Fiction, plus podcast. Reflections of lectionary text, pop culture, current events, etc. Robb Mc Coy and Eric Fistler, 2014.
  • The Lectionary Lab, Epiphany 5, the Rev'ds Dr. John Fairless and Delmer Chilton (aka "Two Bubbas and a Bible"), 2014. Lectionary Lab Live podcast.
  • "The Bucket List," David Sellery, 2014.
  • "Why Are We Settling for This?" Steve Godfrey, Church in the World, 2014.
    • "The reason the gospel is so powerful is that it aligns us with reality and allows us to move forward in a way that restores everything around us, not only spiritually, but also materially and emotionally."
  • "You Are the Light of the World," Robb McCoy, The Fat Pastor, 2014.
  • "You Are the Salt of the Earth," Janet H. Hunt, Dancing with the Word, 2014.
    • "Perhaps it is so that to be called 'salt of the earth' meant more in the time of Jesus than it does today. Can you think of another metaphor which would speak better today?"
  • In It's a Wonderful Life George Bailey is Christ's light to Bedford Falls. There is a film named Salt of the Earth in which a browbeaten wife of a Mexican American miner emerges as an agent of change during a strike. Ed McNulty, Visual Parables.
  • "The Delightful Economy of the Beatitudes," Andrew Prior, 2014.
  • Divine Cooking, Thomas Beam, 2014.
  • Radical Gratitude, lectionary-based stewardship, Northwest United Methodist Foundation. (.pdf)
  • Commentary, (y Evangelio) Matthew 5:13-20, Emerson Powery, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2011.
    • "Who are 'salt' of the earth? They are the humble, the ones who mourn, the meek, and those who thirst after doing what is right in the world."
  • City on a Hill, audio telling, story in episodes, graphic, audio and written commentaries. Go Tell Communications, Biblical Storytelling for the Global Village, 2011.
  • Lectionary Blogging, Epiphany 5, John Petty, Progressive Involvement, 2011.
    • " The law points to Jesus, just as the prophets did.  As Jesus "fulfills" (plerosai) prophesy, he also "fulfills" the law.  Fulfillment means that the cup is not only full but "over-flows".  The law and prophets are not only completed, but the Jesus event exceeds them. "
  • "Salt and Light," David Lose, Working Preacher, 2011.
    • "...we need to actually show people that they are, in fact, salt and light. So I suggest starting a "Salt & Light Log." Really. Start asking people to collect examples of where God has worked through them to help someone else."
  • "A 'Salt and Light' Job Description," Alyce McKenzie, Patheos, 2011.
  • "Jesus' listeners, living in the context of Roman domination, would probably have known that Rome saw itself as a 'light to the world.'"
  • "You Old Salty Sea Dog," Neil Chappell, aweirdthing, 2011.
  • "I think, if there’s one thing that the Sermon on the Mount has to teach, it is that faith and action go hand in hand."
  • "First Thoughts on Year A Gospel Passages in the Lectionary: Epiphany 5," William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.
    • "God is light. Jesus is light. And, says Matthew's Jesus, so are you! But not as an elite, as a group of privileged people, be it Israel or Christians, who once, perhaps, were good salt, but as people living the kind of life called for in the challenge of the beatitudes."
  • "The Light of the World," "Jesus' Teaching about the Law," Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources. Includes detailed textual notes.
  • "Salt and Light," Larry Broding's Word-Sunday.Com: A Catholic Resource for This Sunday's Gospel. Adult Study, Children's Story, Family Activity, Support Materials.
    • "What are the differences between the leader and the follower? When does a follower lead?"
  • Holy Textures, Understanding the Bible in its own time and in ours, Matthew5:1-12, David Ewart, 2011.
    • "Don't think that my teachings replace or reduce the law and the prophets. And don't think you can skip the details. Details count. But something more than the details is also needed. You must align your whole self with what God desires - that is what those in Heaven are like."
  • "Matthew 5:13-20, The Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany," Let Your Light Shine: The Sermon on the Mount in Epiphany, David L. Tiede, Word & World: Theology for Christian Ministry, Luther Northwestern Theological School, 1984. Matthew in the Margins, by Brian McGowan, Anglican priest in Western Australia.
  • Wellspring of the Gospel, Ordinary 5A, Catherine McElhinney and Kathryn Turner, Weekly Wellsprings.
  • "With Ears to Hear," study guide for adults, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Sermon on the Mount," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2008.
  • "The Freedom of Obedience," study guide for adults, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Sermon on the Mount," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2008.
  • "St. Benedict in the City," study guide for adults, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Cities and Towns," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2006.
  • "Two Areas for Faithfulness," commentary by Fred B. Craddock in The Christian Century, 1990. At Religion Online.
    • "Anyone who appeals to faith and freedom in Christ to do less, be less, give less, serve less and love less than our forebears has grossly misunderstood Jesus? message." 
  • "Must We Obey the Law?" Stewart E. Lauer, in Kerux: The Online Journal of Biblical Theology (Reformed)
    • "The coming of Christ and his kingdom in no sense was to abolish even one requirement or teaching of the Old Testament?at least when the Old Testament is properly understood."
  • "The Fatal Failures of Religion: #1 Secularism," from the Biblical Studies Foundation.
    • "I am impressed by the fact that the circumstances which bring some men to God?s blessing are identical with those which cause others to curse God."
  • "The Fatal Failures of Religion: #2 Legalism," from the Biblical Studies Foundation.
    • "Our Lord never intended to set aside the Old Testament Scriptures; He came to fulfill them."
  • "The Subjects of the Kingdom and their Influence in the World," by J. Hampton Keathley III at the Biblical Studies Foundation.
    • "...the way we display our light or the good works is critical. It should be done in such a way that men ultimately come to know that our light is Jesus Christ, that the means of our good works is not us, but God?s grace in Jesus Christ within us."
  • "Sermon on the Mount," wikipedia.
  • "Sermon on the Mount," multiple articles and resources, Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2008.
• Recommended articles from ATLAS, an online collection of religion and theology journals, are linked below. ATLAS Access options are available for academic institutions, alumni of selected theological schools, and clergy/church offices. Annotated list of "starting place" articles at ATLAS for this week's texts (includes direct links).
  • Ballard, Bruce W., "The Death Penalty: God's Timeless Standard for the Nations?" Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, 2000.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Carter, Warren, "Jesus' 'I Have Come' Statements in Matthew's Gospel," The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 1998.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Craddock, Fred, "Two Arenas for Faithfulness," The Christian Century, 1990.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Fueter, Paul D., "The THerapeutic Language of the Bible," International Review of Mission, 1986.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • "Homiletical Helps," Concordia Journal, 2010. (Section on this text begins on page 375)
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Metzger, Paul Louis, "Christ, Culture, and the Sermon on the Mount Community," Ex Auditu, 2008.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
    • Pak, G. Sujin, "Response to Metzger," Ex Auditu, 2008.
        EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
        EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Minear, Paul Sevier, "The Salt of the Earth," Interpretation, 1997.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Staalsett, Gunnar, "Letting the Light Shine," Currents in Theology and Mission, 1993.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Walaskay, Paul W., "Between Text & Sermon, Matthew 5:17-20," Interpretation, 2002.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
• Sermons:
  • "All Righteousness, All the Time," Scott Hoezee, Day 1, 2017.
  • "Salty Luminescence," the Rev. Chris Thomas, Day 1, 2014.
  • "We Are Blessed," the Rev. Dr. Bill Britt, Day 1, 2011.
  • "Fear of Public Speaking," the Rev. Dr. Lillian Daniel, Day 1, 2009.
  • Christians Must Be A Light in the World, Martin Niemoller, Berlin, 1936.
  • "Following the Kiss," the Rev. William Carter, Day 1, 1999.
  • "Salty Christians," Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington - Sermons from Seattle.
  • "You Are the Light of the World," Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington - Sermons from Seattle.
  • "'Antisthenes' (or 'The Law'), a lost dialogue on Matthew 5:13-20," L. Gregory Bloomquist, Saint Paul University, Ottawa.
  • Father Andrew M. Greeley, "Priest, Author, Sociologist," Commentary and Homily
    • Ordinary 5, 2011 Ordinary 6, 2011
    • Ordinary 6, 2008
    • Ordinary 5, 2005
    • Ordinary 5, 2002
    • Ordinary 5, 1999 (Dr. Mary G Durkin)
    • Ordinary 5, 1996
• With Children:
  • Worshiping with Children, Epiphany 5, Including children in the congregation's worship, using the Revised Common Lectionary, Carolyn C. Brown, 2014. 2011.
  • "Storypath Lectionary Links: Connecting Children's Literature with our Faith Story," February 9, 2014, Union Presbyterian Seminary. Connections: Isaiah 58:1-9a(9b-12) and The Boy Who Cried Wolf by B.G. Hennessy, 1 Corinthians 2:1-12(13-16) and Black Dog by Levi Pinfold, Matthew 5:13-20 and Chicken Sunday by Patricia Polacco. 2011.
  • "Sermon on the Mount," Illustrating the Story (lessons, children's sermons), coloring pages, activity sheets, crafts, children's songs. MSSS Crafts.
  • "Radiate," Talks to Children, Rev. Donald McCorkindale, Dalgety Parish Church, Fife, Scotland.
  • "Let Your Light Shine," and "Plugged In and Turned On," Charles Kirkpatrick, Sermons4kids.com.
• Drama:
  • "The Light of the World," John McNeil, dramatix.
  • "Out of the Salt Shaker," Nina Wallestad, Dramatic License. Conditions of Use.
• Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
  • Clip Art, Matthew 5:16, Fr. Richard Lonsdale, Resources for Catholic Educators.
  • Clip Art Images: Matthew 5:13-16, Misioneros Del Sagrado Corazón en el Perú.
  • Matthew 5:13-16, at Cerezo Barredo's weekly gospel illustration. Liberation emphasis.
  • Matthew 5:13-16, Matthew 5:13-16, Matthew 5:17-19, Liturgical Drawing, Maria d.c. Zamora, Claretian Resources, Philippines. ("Download and use these for free.")
• Hymns and Music:
  • A Little Bit of Salt is Carolyn Winfrey Gillette's new hymn based on Jesus' followers being salt and light to the world, Isaiah 58 images of ""repairers of the breach" and "restorers of the streets" with concern today for the poor and immigrants. Tune: LEONI 6.6.8.4 ("The God of Abraham Praise")
  • “Up On a Mountaintop”  Text:  Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, Tune:  Slane 10.10.10.10 (“Be Thou My Vision”)  This hymn is part of  "The Sermon on the Mount: A Worship Service of Lessons and Songs."
  • Hymnary.org, hymns, scores, media, information.
  • Hymns with Scripture Allusions: Matthew 5:14, 16, 18. The Cyber Hymnal.
  • Hymn Selections, The Lutheran Hymnal, Lutheran Worship.
  • "Salt and Light are Found in Me," TEXT: Mark Ryman (2005) based on Matthew 5:13-20. TUNE: "Ratisbon." New Hymns for the Lectionary.
  • At Digital Hymnal (midi files, guitar chords, karaoke files, projection text):
    • Let Every Lamp Be Burning
    • O Word of God Incarnate
• Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
• Movies scenes with the following themes, listed at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance:
• Study Links and Resources for the Book of Matthew

• INDEX BY SCRIPTURE
• PODCASTS
• NARRATIVE LECTIONARY RESOURCES
• DAILY LECTIONARY RESOURCES
• FESTIVALS/SPECIAL DAYS (includes Creation)
• FOR USE IN TIMES OF VIOLENCE
• PEACE RESOURCES
• FOR USE IN TIMES OF NATURAL DISASTER

• Year C
• Maundy Thurs Apr 14
• Good Friday Apr 15
• Easter Day Apr 17
• Easter 2 Apr 24
• Easter 3 May 1
• Easter 4 May 8
• Easter 5 May 15
• Easter 6 May 22
• Ascension May 26
• Easter 7 May 29
• Pentecost June 5
  

• Calendars
• YEAR A
• YEAR B
• YEAR C

©1997-2020, Jenee Woodard