Luke 14:35

KJV

It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; [but] men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

KJV (with Strong's)

It is {G2076} neither {G3777} fit {G2111} for {G1519} the land {G1093}, nor yet {G3777} for {G1519} the dunghill {G2874}; but men cast {G906} it {G846} out {G1854}. He that hath {G2192} ears {G3775} to hear {G191}, let him hear {G191}.

Complete Jewish Bible

It is fit for neither soil nor manure — people throw it out. Those who have ears that can hear, let them hear!”

Berean Standard Bible

It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile, and it is thrown out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

American Standard Version

It is fit neither for the land nor for the dunghill: men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 14:35 concludes Jesus' teaching on the cost of discipleship with a stark warning about the consequences of spiritual decay. Using the metaphor of salt that has lost its essential quality, Jesus emphasizes that if believers lose their distinctive spiritual influence and commitment, they become utterly useless for God's purposes, fit neither for practical use nor for enriching the soil, and are therefore discarded. The verse culminates in a call for profound spiritual discernment, urging listeners to grasp the gravity of this truth for their own lives and discipleship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the concluding and climactic statement to Jesus' discourse on the nature of discipleship, immediately following the parable of the salt that has lost its savor in [Luke 14:34](/luke/14-34 "Luke 14:34 - Salt that has Lost its Savor"). The broader context of [Luke 14:25-33](/luke/14-25-33 "Luke 14:25-33 - The Cost of Discipleship") details the rigorous demands of following Christ, including the necessity of radical commitment, forsaking all, and "counting the cost" before embarking on the path of discipleship. Jesus' audience included "great multitudes" ([Luke 14:25](/luke/14-25 "Luke 14:25 - Great Multitudes Following Jesus")), indicating His challenge was directed at those considering or claiming to be His followers, urging them beyond superficial interest to genuine, wholehearted dedication. The salt metaphor thus functions as a final, potent warning against a half-hearted or compromised faith.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern culture, salt was an indispensable commodity. It was primarily used for preserving food, especially meat, in a time before refrigeration, and for enhancing flavor. Beyond culinary uses, salt also held ritual significance, being required in every grain offering as a "covenant of salt" ([Leviticus 2:13](/leviticus/2-13 "Leviticus 2:13 - Salt with Every Offering")). The salt available in Jesus' day, particularly from sources like the Dead Sea, was often impure, mixed with various minerals. If this impure salt was exposed to moisture or leached of its sodium chloride, the remaining bulk would be inert and useless. It would retain its appearance but lack its essential "saltiness" or savor. Such depleted salt was not merely less effective; it became completely worthless, unable to preserve, flavor, or even serve as fertilizer for the land, as its mineral impurities might even harm the soil.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 14:35 powerfully reinforces several key themes from [Luke 14](/luke/14 "Luke 14 - Humility, Hospitality, and the Cost of Discipleship"). Firstly, it underscores the **radical nature of true discipleship**, implying that authentic followers of Jesus must possess a distinctive, transformative quality, akin to salt's savor, which makes them effective instruments for God's kingdom. This quality encompasses spiritual vitality, moral integrity, and a bold witness. Secondly, the verse highlights the severe consequence of **loss of effectiveness**: if a believer or a community of faith loses its spiritual distinctiveness—its "saltiness"—it becomes ineffective in preserving, flavoring, or purifying the world around it. Thirdly, the phrase "neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill" conveys the theme of **irremediable uselessness**, emphasizing that once this essential spiritual quality is lost, the disciple is so devoid of value that they cannot even serve a mundane purpose, fit only for being discarded. Finally, the concluding phrase, "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear," serves as a call for **spiritual discernment and attentiveness**, urging listeners to deeply understand and internalize the profound implications of Jesus' challenging words for their own commitment and spiritual walk, echoing similar calls throughout the Gospels, such as in [Matthew 11:15](/matthew/11-15 "Matthew 11:15 - He Who Has Ears, Let Him Hear").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **fit (Greek, _eúthetos'_):** Derived from "well" (eu) and "to place" (tithemi), this word means "well-placed" or "appropriate." In this context (G2111), it signifies suitability or usefulness for a particular purpose. Jesus declares that savorless salt is not "appropriate" or "suitable" for the land, meaning it cannot serve as a beneficial agent for agriculture, nor for the dunghill, implying it lacks even the most basic utility as a component in compost or fertilizer.
* **dunghill (Greek, _kopría'_):** This term (G2874) refers to a heap of manure or refuse, a place where waste is discarded or composted. Its inclusion here emphasizes the utter worthlessness of the savorless salt. It's so devoid of beneficial properties that it cannot even contribute to the lowest form of utility, such as enriching soil.
* **cast (Greek, _bállō'_):** A primary verb (G906) meaning "to throw" or "to cast out" (often with violence or intensity). Here, it denotes the act of discarding something that is utterly useless. The implication is that men actively throw out this worthless salt because it serves no purpose whatsoever, highlighting the finality of its rejection.
* **hear (Greek, _akoúō'_):** This primary verb (G191) means "to hear" in various senses, including to give audience, to understand, or to obey. In the phrase "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear," it moves beyond mere physical hearing to imply a spiritual receptivity and comprehension that leads to action and obedience. It's a call for deep, transformative understanding.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill;":** This clause powerfully conveys the absolute uselessness of the salt that has lost its savor. It cannot be used to improve the soil (the "land") for agricultural purposes, nor can it even be thrown onto a "dunghill" (manure pile) to contribute as fertilizer or compost. This hyperbole underscores that its condition is so depleted that it lacks any beneficial quality whatsoever, even for the most basic, mundane uses.
* **"but men cast it out.":** This segment highlights the practical, inevitable consequence of such worthlessness. Because the salt serves no purpose, people simply discard it. This act of "casting out" signifies rejection and abandonment, emphasizing that what was once valuable and essential has become utterly worthless and is therefore removed from any useful sphere.
* **"He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.":** This concluding phrase is a common Hebraic idiom frequently used by Jesus throughout the Gospels. It is a solemn call for profound spiritual discernment and attentiveness. It urges the listener to move beyond mere intellectual understanding to a deep, personal comprehension and internalization of the truth being conveyed, recognizing its critical implications for their own life and spiritual journey.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 14:35 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its urgent message. The primary device is **Metaphor**, where "salt" represents the disciple or the community of believers. Just as salt has a distinct, essential quality (savor) that makes it useful for preservation and flavor, so too must disciples possess a distinctive spiritual quality—their commitment, witness, and transformative influence—to be effective for God's kingdom. The phrase "neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill" utilizes **Hyperbole**, an exaggeration for emphasis. It's not just that the salt is less useful; it's presented as utterly and irremediably useless, incapable of even the lowest form of utility. This extreme statement stresses the severity of spiritual ineffectiveness. Finally, the concluding "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear" is a well-known **Idiom** or proverbial expression used by Jesus. It serves as a rhetorical device to underscore the importance and profound spiritual nature of the preceding teaching, urging listeners to pay close attention and to exercise spiritual discernment beyond superficial hearing.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 14:35, with its vivid imagery of savorless salt, profoundly connects to the broader biblical understanding of the believer's call to distinctiveness and influence in the world. Theologically, it underscores the concept of spiritual integrity and the necessity of maintaining one's unique identity as a follower of Christ. When believers lose their "saltiness," they lose their capacity to preserve moral decay, to add flavor to a tasteless world, or to purify society with the Gospel's truth. This loss of effectiveness is not merely a personal failure but a failure to fulfill God's intended purpose for His people, leading to a state of spiritual barrenness that renders them useless for the kingdom. The warning is severe because the mission of the church depends on the vitality and distinctiveness of its members.

* [Matthew 5:13](/matthew/5-13 "Matthew 5:13 - You are the Salt of the Earth")
* [Mark 9:50](/mark/9-50 "Mark 9:50 - Have Salt in Yourselves")
* [Colossians 4:6](/colossians/4-6 "Colossians 4:6 - Let Your Speech Be Always with Grace, Seasoned with Salt")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 14:35 issues a profound challenge to every follower of Christ, urging deep introspection into the quality and impact of our discipleship. Are we truly living as "salt of the earth," actively preserving, flavoring, and purifying the world around us with the transforming power of the Gospel and the distinctiveness of Christ's character? Or have we allowed the pressures, values, and compromises of the world to dilute our spiritual savor, rendering us indistinguishable from those who do not know Christ? This verse compels us to examine our commitment, our obedience, and the vibrancy of our relationship with Jesus. It's a call to guard against spiritual apathy, moral compromise, and the erosion of our distinctiveness, lest we become ineffective and irrelevant to God's purposes. The final exhortation, "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear," is a summons to serious self-assessment and a renewed dedication to the demanding yet infinitely rewarding path of wholehearted discipleship, ensuring our lives remain potent instruments in God's hands.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might a believer or a church lose its "savor" or spiritual distinctiveness in today's world?**
* **What practical steps can I take to ensure my faith remains "salty" and effective for God's kingdom?**
* **How does the idea of being "cast out" challenge my understanding of Christian commitment and accountability?**
* **What does it mean for me, personally, to truly "hear" and apply the challenging truths of Jesus' words?**

### FAQ
**Why does Jesus use such a strong and seemingly harsh metaphor for discipleship?**

Answer: Jesus often used vivid and even shocking imagery to convey profound spiritual truths and to demand radical commitment from His followers. The metaphor of salt that has lost its savor, and is therefore "neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill," is a powerful **hyperbole** designed to emphasize the absolute necessity of genuine, uncompromised discipleship. In the ancient world, salt was incredibly valuable for preservation and flavor; its loss of essential quality rendered it utterly useless. By applying this to discipleship, Jesus underscores that a superficial, half-hearted, or compromised faith not only fails to fulfill its purpose but becomes entirely worthless in the context of God's kingdom. It's a stark warning against spiritual apathy and a call to maintain the distinctive, transformative influence that believers are meant to embody in the world, as also taught in [Matthew 5:13](/matthew/5-13 "Matthew 5:13 - You are the Salt of the Earth").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 14:35, while a warning to disciples, finds its ultimate fulfillment and meaning in Christ Himself. Jesus is the quintessential "savor," the perfect embodiment of God's truth and purpose, who never lost His spiritual potency or effectiveness. Unlike the potentially impure salt of the earth, Jesus is the pure and unadulterated "salt" of God's covenant, perfectly fulfilling His mission to preserve, purify, and give flavor to a world corrupted by sin. He is the one who perfectly counted the cost, laying down His life on the cross ([Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5-8 "Philippians 2:5-8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience")), and His discipleship was never "cast out" but eternally affirmed by the Father. For believers, our "saltiness" does not originate from our own inherent goodness but is derived from our union with Christ. It is through His Spirit that we are empowered to live distinctive lives, to be lights in the world ([Matthew 5:14](/matthew/5-14 "Matthew 5:14 - You are the Light of the World")), and to participate in His ongoing mission. Our ability to "hear" and obey His challenging words is itself a gift of grace, enabling us to remain fruitful and effective, never becoming useless, because our purpose and power are rooted in Him, the true and unfailing "salt" of the earth ([John 15:5](/john/15-5 "John 15:5 - I Am the Vine, You Are the Branches")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 11:15

He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Luke 8:8

And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Revelation 2:7

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

Luke 9:44

Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.

Matthew 13:9

Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

John 15:6

If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast [them] into the fire, and they are burned.

Revelation 2:29

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.