Matthew 5:14-17
14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.
15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
Matthew 5:14-17: Verse-by-Verse Analysis
Verse 14: Jesus tells his followers that they are the light of the world. This metaphor emphasizes the importance of their role in spreading the message of God’s love and truth. Just as a town on a hill cannot be hidden, believers should not hide their faith but let it shine for all to see.
Verse 15: Jesus compares believers to a lamp that should not be hidden but placed on a stand to give light to everyone in the house. This illustrates the need for Christians to be visible in their faith and to share the light of God’s truth with others.
Verse 16: Here, Jesus instructs his followers to let their light shine before others through their good deeds. By living out their faith in a visible way, believers can bring glory to God and draw others to Him. This verse emphasizes the importance of living a life that reflects the teachings of Jesus.
Verse 17: Jesus clarifies that he has not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets but to fulfill them. This highlights the continuity between the Old Testament teachings and Jesus’ message. He came to bring fulfillment and completion to the law through his life, death, and resurrection, rather than to do away with it.