Matthew 5:14 Study Bible: You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill cannot be hidden.

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You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.

You are the light of the world
This phrase begins with the emphatic "You," indicating that Jesus is directly addressing His disciples and, by extension, all believers. The Greek word for "light" is "phōs," which signifies not just physical light but also spiritual illumination and truth. In the ancient world, light was a powerful symbol of purity, goodness, and divine presence. The "world" (Greek: "kosmos") refers to the entire human society, emphasizing the global scope of the disciples' influence. Historically, light was essential for navigation and safety, symbolizing guidance and protection. In a spiritual sense, believers are called to illuminate the darkness of the world with the truth of the Gospel, reflecting the light of Christ Himself.

A city on a hill
The imagery of "a city on a hill" is vivid and strategic. In ancient times, cities were often built on elevated ground for defense and visibility. The Greek word for "city" is "polis," which denotes a community or society. The "hill" (Greek: "oros") suggests elevation and prominence. This metaphor implies that the Christian community is meant to be conspicuous and influential, visible to all. Archaeologically, cities like Jerusalem were set on hills, making them visible from afar, serving as beacons of civilization and culture. Spiritually, this suggests that the Church should stand out in the world, offering hope and direction.

cannot be hidden
The phrase "cannot be hidden" underscores the inevitability of the light's visibility. The Greek word for "hidden" is "kryptō," meaning to conceal or keep secret. The construction of the sentence in Greek implies impossibility, stressing that true Christian witness is inherently visible and impactful. Historically, light sources in ancient times, such as lamps or torches, were designed to illuminate as much area as possible. In a spiritual context, this means that the transformative power of a life lived in Christ cannot be concealed; it naturally radiates outward, influencing others. Believers are called to live authentically, allowing their faith to be evident in all aspects of life.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Jesus Christ
The speaker of this verse, delivering the Sermon on the Mount, teaching His disciples and the gathered crowd about the nature of the Kingdom of Heaven and the character of its citizens.

2. Disciples
The primary audience of Jesus' teaching, representing all believers who are called to live out the principles of the Kingdom of Heaven.

3. The World
Refers to the broader human society that is in darkness due to sin and in need of the light that believers are called to shine.

4. City on a Hill
A metaphor used by Jesus to illustrate the visibility and influence that believers should have in the world.

5. Sermon on the Mount
The context in which this teaching is given, a collection of Jesus' teachings found in Matthew chapters 5-7.

Teaching Points

Identity and Purpose
Believers are inherently called to be the light of the world, reflecting the light of Christ in their lives.

Visibility and Influence
Just as a city on a hill is visible to all, Christians are to live in such a way that their faith is evident and influential in their communities.

Responsibility and Witness
The call to be light carries the responsibility to live out the values of the Kingdom, serving as a witness to the transformative power of the Gospel.

Contrast with Darkness
The presence of light is most impactful in darkness; believers are to engage with the world, bringing hope and truth where it is most needed.

Community and Support
Like a city, the collective witness of believers is powerful. Christians are encouraged to support one another in their mission to be light.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does understanding Jesus as the "light of the world" enhance our understanding of our role as "the light of the world"?

2. In what ways can we ensure that our "light" is not hidden in our daily lives?

3. How can the metaphor of a "city on a hill" inspire us to live out our faith in our communities?

4. What are some practical steps we can take to shine our light in a world that often seems dark?

5. How can we support and encourage one another in our collective mission to be a light to the world, as described in Philippians 2:15?

Connections to Other Scriptures

John 8:12
Jesus declares Himself as the "light of the world," establishing a connection between His identity and the calling of His followers to reflect His light.

Philippians 2:15
Paul encourages believers to shine like stars in the universe, emphasizing the call to be blameless and pure in a crooked generation.

Isaiah 60:1-3
The prophecy about the light of God's people drawing nations, which aligns with the call for believers to be a light to the world.

Sermons

A Good Example a Rebuke of Evil	A. Maclaren, D. D.	Matthew 5:14
A Good Life the Great Means of Glorifying God	W. Curling, M. A.	Matthew 5:14
Christ Shines into the World Through the Lives of His People	W. M. Taylor.	Matthew 5:14
Christian Consistency	W. M. Punshon.	Matthew 5:14
Christian Example a Converting Agency	Anecdotes	Matthew 5:14
Christian Example an Argument of Weight	Anecdotes., W. S. Dewstoe	Matthew 5:14
Christian Example Leads to the Discovery of Christian Sympathy		Matthew 5:14
Christian Example Must be Free from Inconsistency		Matthew 5:14
Christian Example not Transient		Matthew 5:14
Christians Must be Receptive of Light	S. Slocombe.	Matthew 5:14
Christians the Light	W. M. Taylor.	Matthew 5:14
Christians the Light of the World	L H. Evans, M. A.	Matthew 5:14
Christians the Light of the World	F. Goode, M. A., W. W. Wythe., Dr. J. Cussing.	Matthew 5:14
Christians the Light of the World	D. Rees.	Matthew 5:14
Glorifying God	H. Hughes, M. A.	Matthew 5:14
God Glorified by Our Good Works	H. Hughes, M. A.	Matthew 5:14
God, not Self, the End of Christian Example	W. M. Taylor.	Matthew 5:14
Hidden Light Dies	D. Fraser, D. D.	Matthew 5:14
If You are not Warming the World, the World is Chilling Y	A. Maclaren, D. D.	Matthew 5:14
Keep the Light Bright or You Will Hear of It	The Preachers' Monthly., James Stewart., Christian Age	Matthew 5:14
Lustrous Christians	W. W. Wythe.	Matthew 5:14
Men More Ready to Shine Socially than Morally	Dr. D. Fraser.	Matthew 5:14
Missionaries the Light	F. Goode, M. A.	Matthew 5:14
No Light Apart from Christ	A. Maclaren, D. D.	Matthew 5:14
Shine by Expressed Conviction	A. Maclaren, D. D.	Matthew 5:14
Spiritual Modesty	G. Moberley, D. C. L.	Matthew 5:14
Th,E Light to Reveal the Work, not the Worker	Dr. Parker.	Matthew 5:14
The Beauty of Moral Qualities	H. W. Beecher., Sir William Dawes, Bart. , D. D.	Matthew 5:14
The Candle	C. H. Spurgeon.	Matthew 5:14
The Church of Christ the Light of the World	R. Montgomery, M. A.	Matthew 5:14
The Duty of Letting Our Light Shine Before Men	E. Cooper.	Matthew 5:14
The Importance of Good Example	S. Partridge, M. A.	Matthew 5:14
The Lamp and the Bushel	A. Maclaren, D. D.	Matthew 5:14
The Light of Christian Example	H. J. Wilmot Buxton., Dr. A. Barnes.	Matthew 5:14
The Missionary Power of Christ's Disciples	R. Tuck	Matthew 5:14
The Purity of Example the Primary Care of the Christian	A. Maclaren, D. D.	Matthew 5:14
Wanted, Much Wanted, Bright Christians	D. Fraser, D. D., D. Fraser, D. D.	Matthew 5:14
Work Entailed by Christ on His People	S. Slocombe.	Matthew 5:14
Salt and Light	W.F. Adeney	Matthew 5:13, 14
Christian Influence	J.A. Macdonald	Matthew 5:13-16
Sermon on the Mount: 2. Influence of Christians: Salt and Light	Marcus Dods	Matthew 5:13-16
The Influence of Sanctified Characters	R. Tuck	Matthew 5:13-16
The Startling Salutation	P.C. Barker	Matthew 5:13-16

People

Jesus

Places

Galilee, Jerusalem

Topics

Able, Built, Can't, Hid, Hidden, Hill, Hill-top, Located, Mount, Mountain, Situated, Town

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Matthew 5:14

4245 hills
4811 darkness, symbol of sin

Matthew 5:3-48

1660 Sermon on the Mount

Matthew 5:13-14

5053 responsibility, for world

Matthew 5:13-16

     2357   Christ, parables
     5345   influence
     7027   church, purpose

Matthew 5:14-16

     4836   light, and people of God
     5812   concealment
     5949   shyness

Library

Agree with Thine Adversary
Eversley, 1861. Windsor Castle, 1867. St. Matthew v. 25, 26. "Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing." This parable our Lord seems to have spoken at least twice, as He did several others. For we find it also in the 12th …
Charles Kingsley—All Saints' Day and Other Sermons

June 9. "Ye are the Light of the World" (Matt. v. 14).
"Ye are the light of the world" (Matt. v. 14). We are called the lights of the world, light-bearers, reflectors, candle-sticks, lamps. We are to be kindled ourselves, and then we will burn and give light to others. We are the only light the world has. The Lord might come down Himself and give light to the world, but He has chosen differently. He wants to send it through us, and if we don't give it the world will not have it. We should be giving light all the time to our neighbors. God does not put …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

The Eighth Beatitude
'Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.'--MATT. v. 10. We have seen the description of the true subjects of the kingdom growing into form and completeness before our eyes in the preceding verses, which tell us what they are in their own consciousness, what they are in their longings, what they become in inward nature by God's gift of purity, how they move among men as angels of God, meek, merciful, peace-bringing. Is anything more needed …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Salt Without Savour
'Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.'--MATT. v. 13. These words must have seemed ridiculously presumptuous when they were first spoken, and they have too often seemed mere mockery and irony in the ages since. A Galilean peasant, with a few of his rude countrymen who had gathered round him, stands up there on the mountain, and says to them, 'You, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The First Beatitude
'Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.'--MATT. v. 2. 'Ye are not come unto the mount that burned with fire, nor unto the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of "awful" words.' With such accompaniments the old law was promulgated, but here, in this Sermon on the Mount, as it is called, the laws of the Kingdom are proclaimed by the King Himself; and He does not lay them down with the sternness of those written on tables of stone. No rigid 'thou shalt' compels, no iron 'thou …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Second Beatitude
'Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.'--MATT. v. 4. An ordinary superficial view of these so-called Beatitudes is that they are simply a collection of unrelated sayings. But they are a great deal more than that. There is a vital connection and progress in them. The jewels are not flung down in a heap; they are wreathed into a chain, which whosoever wears shall have 'an ornament of grace about his neck.' They are an outgrowth from a common root; stages in the evolution of Christian …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Fourth Beatitude
'Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.'--MATT. v. 6. Two preliminary remarks will give us the point of view from which I desire to consider these words now. First, we have seen, in previous sermons, that these paradoxes of the Christian life which we call the Beatitudes are a linked chain, or, rather, an outgrowth from a common root. Each presupposes all the preceding. Now, of course, it is a mistake to expect uniformity in the process of building …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Fifth Beatitude
'Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.'--MATT. v. 7. THE divine simplicity of the Beatitudes covers a divine depth, both in regard to the single precepts and to the sequence of the whole. I have already pointed out that the first of the series Is to be regarded as the root and germ of all the subsequent ones. If for a moment we set it aside and consider only the fruits which are successively developed from it, we shall see that the remaining members of the sequence are arranged in …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Sixth Beatitude
'Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.'--MATT. v. 8. AT first hearing one scarcely knows whether the character described in this great saying, or the promise held out, is the more inaccessible to men. 'The pure in heart': who may they be? Is there one of us that can imagine himself possessed of a character fitting him for the vision of God, or such as to make him bear with delight that dazzling blaze? 'They shall see God,' whom 'no man hath seen at any time, nor can see.' Surely …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Seventh Beatitude
'Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.' MATT. v. 9. This is the last Beatitude descriptive of the character of the Christian. There follows one more, which describes his reception by the world. But this one sets the top stone, the shining apex, upon the whole temple-structure which the previous Beatitudes had been gradually building up. You may remember that I have pointed out in previous sermons how all these various traits of the Christian life are deduced from …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The New Sinai
'And seeing the multitudes, He went up into a mountain: and when He was set, His disciples came unto Him: 2. And He opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, 3. Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 5. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. 6. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. 7. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Lamp and the Bushel
'Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.'--Matt. v. 14-16. The conception of the office of Christ's disciples contained in these words is a still bolder one than that expressed by the preceding metaphor, which …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The New Form of the Old Law
'Think not that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20. For I say …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

'Swear not at All'
'Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: 34. But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: 35. Nor by the earth; for it is His footstool; neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. 36. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. 37. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Non-Resistance
'Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 39. But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. 41. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. 42. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.'--MATT. v. 38-42. The old law …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Law of Love
'Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45. That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Redemption
"Ye shall therefore be perfect, as your Father in Heaven is perfect."--MATT. V. 48. "Wretched man that I am! who shall deliver from the body of this death? Thanks be to God, through Jesus Christ our Lord."--ROM. VII. 24, 25. We have studied the meaning of reconciliation through the Cross. We have said that to be reconciled to God means to cease to be the object of the Wrath of God, that is, His hostility to sin. We can only cease to be the objects of this Divine Wrath by identifying ourselves …
J. H. Beibitz—Gloria Crucis

On that which is Written in the Gospel, Matt. v. 16, "Even So Let Your Light Shine Before Men, that they May See Your Good Works,
1. It is wont to perplex many persons, Dearly beloved, that our Lord Jesus Christ in His Evangelical Sermon, after He had first said, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven;" [1934] said afterwards, "Take heed that ye do not your righteousness [1935] before men to be seen of them." [1936] For so the mind of him who is weak in understanding is disturbed, is desirous to obey both precepts, and distracted by diverse, and contradictory …
Saint Augustine—sermons on selected lessons of the new testament

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. v. 22, "Whosoever Shall Say to his Brother, Thou Fool, Shall be in Danger of the Hell of Fire. "
1. The section of the Holy Gospel which we just now heard when it was read, must have sorely alarmed us, if we have faith; but those who have not faith, it alarmed not. And because it does not alarm them, they are minded to continue in their false security, as knowing not how to divide and distinguish the proper times of security and fear. Let him then who is leading now that life which has an end, fear, that in that life which is without end, he may have security. Therefore were we alarmed. For …
Saint Augustine—sermons on selected lessons of the new testament

Upon Our Lord's SermonOn the Mount
Discourse 3 "Blessed are the pure in heart: For they shall see God. "Blessed are the peacemakers: For they shall be called the children of God. "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. "Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: For great is your reward in heaven: For so persecuted they the Prophets which were before you." …
John Wesley—Sermons on Several Occasions

The Christian Aim and Motive.
Preached January 4, 1852. THE CHRISTIAN AIM AND MOTIVE. "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."--Matthew v. 48. There are two erroneous views held respecting the character of the Sermon on the Mount. The first may be called an error of worldly-minded men, the other an error of mistaken religionists. Worldly-minded men--men that is, in whom the devotional feeling is but feeble--are accustomed to look upon morality as the whole of religion; and they suppose …
Frederick W. Robertson—Sermons Preached at Brighton

A Call to Holy Living
Too many persons judge themselves by others; and if upon the whole they discover that they are no worse than the mass of mankind, they give themselves a mark of special commendation; they strike a sort of average amongst their neighbors, and if they cannot pretend to be the very best, yet, if they are not the very worst, they are pretty comfortable. There are certain scribes and Pharisees among their acquaintance, who fast thrice in the week, and pay tithes of all they possess, and they look upon …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 18: 1872

Persistency in Wrong Doing.
6th Sunday after Trinity. S. Matt. v. 25. "Agree with thine adversary quickly, while thou art in the way with him." INTRODUCTION.--I spoke to you the Sunday before last about the obstinacy of persisting in an opinion after you have good cause to believe that this opinion is unjust, or unreasonable. I am going to speak to you to-day of another form of obstinacy. SUBJECT.--My subject is Persistency in doing wrong, because you have begun wrong. This is only another form of the same fault. The other …
S. Baring-Gould—The Village Pulpit, Volume II. Trinity to Advent

"That the Righteousness of the Law Might be Fulfilled in Us,"
Rom. viii. 4.--"That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us," &c. "Think not," saith our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, "that I am come to destroy the law,--I am come to fulfil it," Matt. v. 17. It was a needful caveat, and a very timeous advertisement, because of the natural misapprehensions in men's minds of the gospel. When free forgiveness of sins, and life everlasting, is preached in Jesus Christ, without our works; when the mercy of God is proclaimed in its freedom and fulness, …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

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