Matthew 5:14-19
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.
18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:14-19: Verse-by-Verse Analysis
Verse 14: Jesus tells his followers that they are the light of the world. This means that they should stand out and be a positive influence on those around them. Just as a city on a hill cannot be hidden, believers should not hide their faith but let it shine for all to see.
Verse 15: Jesus uses the analogy of a lamp to further emphasize the importance of letting one’s light shine. Just as a lamp is meant to give light to a room, believers should let their good deeds be seen by others so that they may bring glory to God.
Verse 16: Here, Jesus reiterates the importance of letting one’s light shine before others. By doing so, believers can lead others to glorify God and recognize His presence in their lives.
Verse 17: Jesus clarifies that He did not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets but to fulfill them. This shows that Jesus came to bring the true meaning and purpose of the Old Testament teachings to fruition.
Verse 18: Jesus emphasizes the eternal nature of God’s Word, stating that not even the smallest detail will disappear until everything is accomplished. This highlights the importance of following and upholding the teachings of the Law.
Verse 19: Jesus warns against disregarding even the smallest commandments and teaches that those who do so will be considered least in the kingdom of heaven. On the other hand, those who both follow and teach God’s commands will be esteemed highly in the kingdom.