The text in Koine Greek is: Ὑμεῖς ἐστε τὸ ἅλας τῆς γῆς· ἐὰν δὲ τὸ ἅλας μωρανθῇ, ἐν τίνι ἁλισθήσεται; εἰς οὐδὲν ἰσχύει ἔτι εἰ μὴ βληθὲν ἔξω καταπατεῖσθαι ὑπὸ τῶν ἀνθρώπων.

The exact meaning of the expression is disputed,[13] in part because salt had a wide number of uses in the ancient world.

[20] Many scholars disagree with Gundry's translation of earth as soil: most see it as referring to the world and in Eduard Schweizer's words "the totality of mankind,"[21] even though the more common word used for this purpose is anthrópos[22] and that gé is used extensively as "land" or as physical earth.

[23] George Shillington feels that the Greek word for salt here refers to the chemical agent used in ancient times to fertilize fields rather than the edible salt used to preserve meat or flavor foods, indicating that the disciples are to bring new life to the world.

[27] Phil Schmidt also believes that the disciples are meant to stimulate growth and positively affect the world.

France notes that Jesus was giving a lesson in moral philosophy and "not teaching chemistry"; to him, whether or not the proverbial image is factually accurate is of little relevance to the actual message of this verse.

Maundrell says, "I broke a piece of it, of which that part that was exposed to the rain, sun, and air, though it had the sparks and particles of salt, yet it had perfectly lost its savour.

"Additionally, William McClure Thomson in the nineteenth century says: I have often seen just such salt, and the identical disposition of it that our Lord has mentioned.

A merchant of Sidon having farmed of the government the revenue from the importation of salt, brought over an immense quantity from the marshes of Cyprus – enough, in fact, to supply the whole province for at least 20 years.

Due to its fame it has occurred a number of times in art and popular culture, but as Siebald notes usually these are based on the secular understanding of the term.

It has been the title of an important 1954 film, a John Godber play, a song on The Rolling Stones' Beggars Banquet, and a non-fiction work by Uys Krige.

When for thus offending men by reproving them ye are reviled, rejoice; for this is the proper effect of salt to be harsh and grating to the depraved palate.

Thus the evil-speaking of others will bring you no inconvenience, but will rather be a testimony of your firmness.Hilary of Poitiers: There may be here seen a propriety in our Lord's language which may be gathered by considering the Apostles' office, and the nature of salt.

This, used as it is by men for almost every purpose, preserves from decay those bodies which are sprinkled with it; and in this, as well as in every sense of its flavour as a condiment, the parallel is most exact.

Thus Apostolical men also were changed into spiritual regeneration by the water of baptism, the heat of love, and the breath of the Holy Spirit.

Another copy has, If the salt have lost all sense, showing that they must be esteemed to have lost their sense, who cither pursuing abundance, or fearing lack of temporal goods, lose those which are eternal, and which men can neither give nor take away.Hilary of Poitiers: But if the doctors having become senseless, and having lost all the savour they once enjoyed, are unable to restore soundness to things corrupt, they are become useless; and are thenceforth fit only to be cast out and trodden by men.Jerome: The illustration is taken from husbandry.

Indeed we read in Scripture of vanquished cities sown with salt by the victors, that nothing should thenceforth grow there.Glossa Ordinaria: When then they who are the heads have fallen away, they are fit for no use but to be cast out from the office of teacher.Hilary of Poitiers: Or even cast out from the Church's store rooms to be trodden under foot by those that walk.Augustine: Not he that suffers persecution is trodden under foot of men, but he who through fear of persecution falls away.