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Monday, October 28th, 2024
the Week of Proper 25 / Ordinary 30
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Read the Bible

King James Version

Matthew 5:14

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Agency;   Influence;   Instruction;   Light;   Readings, Select;   Religion;   Righteous;   Zeal, Religious;   Scofield Reference Index - Parables;   Thompson Chain Reference - Church;   Life;   Light, Spiritual;   Light-Darkness;   Names;   Seven;   Titles and Names;   The Topic Concordance - Disciples/apostles;   Glory;   Light;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Blindness, Spiritual;   Candlestick;   Cities;   Light;   Saints, Compared to;   Titles and Names of Saints;  

Dictionaries:

- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Ethics;   Light;   Matthew, gospel of;   Sermon on the mount;   World;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Christians, Names of;   Light;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Hutchinsonians;   Love, Brotherly;   Means of Grace;   Quakers;   Reconciliation;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Candle;   Light;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Candle;   Tirzah (2);   Holman Bible Dictionary - Imagery;   Lamps, Lighting, Lampstand;   Light, Light of the World;   Matthew, the Gospel of;   Sermon on the Mount;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Christianity;   Election;   Ethics;   Light;   Mss;   World;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Ambition;   Beauty;   Cellar;   Discipleship;   Example;   Hill;   Imagination;   Light;   Metaphors;   Missions;   Nain ;   Night (2);   Organization (2);   Palestine;   Parable;   Perfection (Human);   Quotations (2);   Right (2);   Sanctify, Sanctification;   Sermon on the Mount;   Winter ;   Worldliness (2);   People's Dictionary of the Bible - World;   Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types - Hill;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Light;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Candlestick, the Golden;   Enemy;   Forgiveness;   Gift;   Hate;   Hill;   Light;   Logia, the;   Sermon on the Mount, the;   Set;   Tabernacle;   World (Cosmological);  

Devotionals:

- Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life - Devotion for June 15;   Daily Light on the Daily Path - Devotion for October 4;  

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
"You are the light that shines for the world to see. You are like a city built on a hill that cannot be hidden.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Ye are ye light of the worlde. A cite yt is set on an hill cannot be hid
International Standard Version
You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can't be hidden.Proverbs 4:18; Philippians 2:15;">[xr]
New American Standard Bible
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;
New Century Version
"You are the light that gives light to the world. A city that is built on a hill cannot be hidden.
Update Bible Version
You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill can't be hid.
Webster's Bible Translation
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.
Amplified Bible
"You are the light of [Christ to] the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;
English Standard Version
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
World English Bible
You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill can't be hid.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Ye are the light of the world.
Weymouth's New Testament
*You* are the light of the world; a town cannot be hid if built on a hill-top.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Ye ben liyt of the world; a citee set on an hil may not be hid;
English Revised Version
Ye are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid.
Berean Standard Bible
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
Contemporary English Version
You are like light for the whole world. A city built on top of a hill cannot be hidden,
American Standard Version
Ye are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid.
Bible in Basic English
You are the light of the world. A town put on a hill may be seen by all.
Complete Jewish Bible
"You are light for the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.
Darby Translation
*Ye* are the light of the world: a city situated on the top of a mountain cannot be hid.
Etheridge Translation
You are the light of the world: It is not possible that a city which is built upon a hill can be hidden.
Murdock Translation
Ye are the light of the world! A city built upon a hill, not be concealed.
King James Version (1611)
Yee are the light of the world. A citie that is set on an hill, cannot be hid.
New Living Translation
"You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.
New Life Bible
You are the light of the world. You cannot hide a city that is on a mountain.
New Revised Standard
"You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Ye are the light of the world. A citie that is set on an hill, cannot be hid.
George Lamsa Translation
You are indeed the light of the world; a city that is built upon a mountain cannot be hidden.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Ye, are the light of the world: it is impossible for a city to be hid, on the top of a mountain, lying.
Douay-Rheims Bible
You are the light of the world. A city seated on a mountain cannot be hid.
Revised Standard Version
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Ye are the lyght of the worlde. A citie that is set on an hyll, can not be hyd.
Good News Translation
"You are like light for the whole world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid.
Christian Standard Bible®
“You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden.
Hebrew Names Version
You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill can't be hidden.
Lexham English Bible
You are the light of the world. A city located on top of a hill cannot be hidden,
Literal Translation
You are the light of the world. A city situated on a mountain cannot be hidden.
Young's Literal Translation
`Ye are the light of the world, a city set upon a mount is not able to be hid;
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Ye are the light of the worlde. A cite that is set on an hill, can not be hid:
Mace New Testament (1729)
ye are the light of the world. a city that is situated on an hill, cannot be hid;
THE MESSAGE
"Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.
New English Translation
You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill cannot be hidden.
New King James Version
"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
Simplified Cowboy Version
"Y'all are the light of this earth. You can't miss a big city that sits on a hill.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;
Legacy Standard Bible
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;

Contextual Overview

13 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. 14 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.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

the light: Proverbs 4:18, John 5:35, John 12:36, Romans 2:19, Romans 2:20, 2 Corinthians 6:14, Ephesians 5:8-14, Philippians 2:15, 1 Thessalonians 5:5, Revelation 1:20, Revelation 2:1

a city: Genesis 11:4-8, Revelation 21:14-27

Reciprocal: Exodus 25:37 - give Exodus 35:14 - candlestick Exodus 39:37 - even with Numbers 8:2 - General 1 Kings 7:49 - the candlesticks 1 Chronicles 28:8 - in the sight 2 Chronicles 4:7 - ten candlesticks Ezekiel 5:5 - I have Zechariah 4:2 - a candlestick 1 Corinthians 5:10 - for Revelation 11:4 - two candlesticks

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Ye are the light of the world,.... What the luminaries, the sun and moon, are in the heavens, with respect to corporal light, that the apostles were in the world with regard to spiritual light; carrying and spreading the light of the Gospel not only in Judea, but all over the world, which was in great darkness of ignorance and error; and through a divine blessing attending their ministry, many were turned from the darkness of Judaism and Gentilism, of sin and infidelity, to the marvellous light of divine grace. The Jews were wont to say, that of the Israelites in general, and particularly of their sanhedrim, and of their learned doctors, what Christ more truly applies here to his apostles; they observe l, that

"on the fourth day it was said, "let there be light": which was done with respect to the Israelites, because they are they מאירים לעולם, "which give light to the world", as it is written, Daniel 12:3'

And in another place m, say they,

"how beautiful are the great ones of the congregation, and the wise men, who sit in the sanhedrim! for they are they

מנהרין לעלמא, "that enlighten the world", the people of the house of Israel.''

So. R. Meir, R. Akiba his disciple, and R. Judah the prince, are each of them called n אור העולם, "the light of the world"; as R. Jochanan ben Zaccai is by his disciples, נר עולם, "the lamp of the world" o: and it was usual for the head of a school, or of an university to be styled p נהורא דעלמא, "the light of the world"; but this title much better agrees and suits with the persons Christ gives it to, who, no question, had a view to those exalted characters the Jews gave to their celebrated Rabbins. A city that

is set on an hill cannot be hid; alluding either to Nazareth, where he was educated, and had lately preached, which was built on an hill, from the brow of which the inhabitants sought to have cast him headlong, Luke 4:29 or to Capernaum, which, on account of its height, is said to be

exalted unto heaven, Matthew 11:23 or to the city of Jerusalem, which was situated on a very considerable eminence. The land of Israel, the Jews say q, was higher than all other lands; and the temple at Jerusalem was higher than any other part of the land of Israel. And as a city cannot be hid which is built on a high place, so neither could, nor ought the doctrines which the apostles were commissioned to preach, be hid, or concealed from men: they were not to shun to declare the whole counsel of God, nor study to avoid the reproaches and persecutions of men; for they were to be "made a spectacle"; to be set as in a public theatre, to be seen by "the world, angels, and men".

l Tzeror Hammor, fol. 1. 3. m Targum in Cant. iv. 1. n Juchasin, fol. 63. 2. o Abot R. Nathan, c. 25. fol. 6. 3. p Juchasin. fol. 121. 1. q T. Bab. Kiddushin, fol. 69. 1. Sanhedrim, fol. 87. 1. Zebachim, fol. 54. 2.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The light of the world - The light of the world often denotes the sun, John 11:9. The sun renders objects visible, shows their form, their nature, their beauties, their deformities. The term light is often applied to religious teachers. See Matthew 4:16; Luke 2:32; John 1:4; John 8:12; Isaiah 49:6. It is pre-eminently applied to Jesus in these places, because he is, in the moral world, what the sun is in the natural world. The apostles, Christian ministers, and all Christians, are lights of the world, because they, by their instructions and example, show what God requires, what is the condition of man, what is the way of duty, peace, and happiness the way that leads to heaven.

A city that is set on a hill ... - Many of the cities of Judea were placed on the summits or sides of mountains, and could be seen from afar. Perhaps Jesus pointed to such a city, and told his disciples that they were like it. Their actions could not be hid. The eyes of the world were upon them. They must be seen; and as this was the case, they ought to be holy, harmless, and undefiled.

Maundrell, Jowett, and others suppose that the Sermon on the Mount was delivered in the vicinity of the present city of Safed, or “the Horns of Huttin” (see the notes at Matthew 5:1), and that this city may have been in his eye, and may have been directly referred to by the Saviour when he uttered this sentiment. It would give additional force and beauty to the passage to suppose that he pointed to the city. Of this Dr. Thomson (The Land and the Book, vol. i. pp. 420, 421) says, “The shape of the hill is a well-described oval, and the wall corresponds to it. The bottom of the outer ditch is now a very flourishing vineyard, and the entire circuit is not far from half a mile. The wall is mostly modern, but built on one more ancient, portions of which can be seen on the east side. The interior summit rises about a hundred feet higher than this wall, and was a separate castle, strongly defended. Here are beveled stones, as heavy, and as aged in appearance, as those of the most celebrated ruins in the country; and they prove that this has been a place of importance from a remote age. These ancient parts of the castle render it all but certain that there was then a city or citadel on this most conspicuous ‘hill’ top; and our Lord might well point to it to illustrate and confirm his precept. The present Hebrew name is Zephath, and may either refer to its elevation like a watchtower, or to the beauty and grandeur of the surrounding prospects. Certainly they are quite sufficient to suggest the name. There lies Gennesaret, like a mirror set in framework of dark mountains and many-faced hills. Beyond is the vast plateau of the Hauran, faintly shading with its rocky ranges the utmost horizon eastward. Thence the eye sweeps over Gilead and Bashan, Samaria and Carmel, the plains of Galilee, the coasts of Phoenicia, the hills of Naphtali, the long line of Lebanon, and the lofty head of Hermen - a vast panorama, embracing a thousand points of historic and sacred interest.”

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Matthew 5:14. Ye are the light of the world — That is, the instruments which God chooses to make use of to illuminate the minds of men; as he uses the sun (to which probably he pointed) to enlighten the world. Light of the world, נר עולם ner olam, was a title applied to the most eminent rabbins. Christ transfers the title from these, and gives it to his own disciples, who, by the doctrines that he taught them, were to be the means of diffusing the light of life throughout the universe.

A city that is set on a hill — This place may receive light from the following passage in Maundrell's Travels. "A few points toward the north (of Tabor) appears that which they call the Mount of Beatitudes, a small rising, from which our blessed Saviour delivered his sermon in the fifth, sixth, and seventh chapters of Matthew. (Matthew 5:5.) Not far from this little hill is the city Saphet, supposed to be the ancient Bethulia. It stands upon a very eminent and conspicuous mountain, and is SEEN FAR and NEAR. May we not suppose that Christ alludes to this city, in these words of his, A city set on a hill cannot be hid?" p. 115. Quesnell remarks here: "The Christian life is something very high and sublime, to which we cannot arrive without pains: while it withdraws us from the earth, and carries us nearer heaven, it places us in view, and as a mark, to the malice of carnal men."


 
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