Salt of the Earth

[Curt Herzog]

What is the meaning of salt of the earth?

[Piljim]

It is something Jesus said on his Sermon on the Mount, where he gave some of his most memorable and oft-quoted teachings. It is quoted in Matthew 5 verse 13 (I've quoted from the NIV Bible): "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men." Jesus then immediately goes on to say his disciples are the "light of the world". By both of these examples, Jesus was instructing his disciples - and all who believe that he is Lord - to live out the teachings Jesus gave them so that other people may see that He is indeed "The Way, The Truth and the Life" (John 14 v 6).

[KCU]

It might be all about salt being 'dear' in the old days, when people would find it redumentary. The kings were particularly keen on having salt-mines - lucrative as they were - all to themselves; which must have been essential so long as taxing was not efficient enough.