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.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel,
15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.
15 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.
15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.
15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.
35 John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light.
35 He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.
35 He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.
35 John was a torch, blazing and bright, and you were glad enough to dance for an hour or so in his bright light.
35 He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing for a time to rejoice in his light.
35 John was like a burning and shining lamp, and you were excited for a while about his message.
(Read John 5:30-38)
Our Lord returns to his declaration of the entire agreement between the Father and the Son, and declared himself the Son of God. He had higher testimony than that of John; his works bore witness to all he had said. But the Divine word had no abiding-place in their hearts, as they refused to believe in Him whom the Father had sent, according to his ancient promises. The voice of God, accompanied by the power of the Holy Ghost, thus made effectual to the conversion of sinners, still proclaims that this is the beloved Son, in whom the Father is well pleased. But when the hearts of men are full of pride, ambition, and the love of the world, there is no room for the word of God to abide in them.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Matthew 5:15
Commentary on Matthew 5:13-16
(Read Matthew 5:13-16)
Ye are the salt of the earth. Mankind, lying in ignorance and wickedness, were as a vast heap, ready to putrify; but Christ sent forth his disciples, by their lives and doctrines to season it with knowledge and grace. If they are not such as they should be, they are as salt that has lost its savour. If a man can take up the profession of Christ, and yet remain graceless, no other doctrine, no other means, can make him profitable. Our light must shine, by doing such good works as men may see. What is between God and our souls, must be kept to ourselves; but that which is of itself open to the sight of men, we must study to make suitable to our profession, and praiseworthy. We must aim at the glory of God.