Mark 9.43-50, Matthew 5.13, Luke 14.34-35.
If you’ve ever heard someone called “the salt of the earth,” usually they mean a decent person—but kinda ordinary. And no, that’s not what Jesus meant when he coined the phrase “salt of the earth.” Or as I translated it, “the earth’s salt.” I’ve no idea how it evolved from a remarkable person to an unremarkable person.
But when Jesus uses it, he means remarkable. He means a flavor enhancer. Be the salt of the earth: Enhance it. Make it taste better.
Mark 9.49-50 KWL - 49 “Everything for the fire will be salted.
Lv 2.13 50 Salt is good. - When salt becomes saltless, in what way will it season things?
- Have salt in yourselves. Have peace with one another.”
Matthew 5.13 KWL - “You’re the earth’s salt.
- When salt is tasteless, in what way will it salt things?
- It’s of no use—well, unless it’s thrown outside, to be walked upon by people.”
Luke 14.34-35 KWL - 34 “So salt is good.
- When salt is also tasteless, in what way will it salt things?
- 35 It’s neither useful for the ground nor the dungheap.
- They throw it outside. Hear me, you who have ears to hear.”
The spin Mark took on it is a little bit different than the ideas we find in Matthew. I’ll get to it momentarily. First the