Mark 9:50

KJV

Salt [is] good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.

KJV (with Strong's)

Salt {G217} is good {G2570}: but {G1161} if {G1437} the salt {G217} have lost {G1096} his saltness {G358}, wherewith {G1722}{G5101} will ye season {G741} it {G846}? Have {G2192} salt {G217} in {G1722} yourselves {G1438}, and {G2532} have peace {G1514} one {G240} with {G1722} another {G240}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Salt is excellent, but if it loses its saltiness, how will you season it? So have salt in yourselves -- that is, be at peace with each other."

Berean Standard Bible

Salt is good, but if the salt loses its saltiness, with what will you season it? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”

American Standard Version

Salt is good: but if the salt have lost its saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace one with another.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 9:50 serves as a profound summary of Jesus' teaching on the essential character and relational responsibilities of His disciples. Using the vivid metaphor of salt, Jesus emphasizes that believers are to possess an intrinsic spiritual vitality and moral integrity ("salt in yourselves") that enables them to be a preserving and flavoring influence in the world, ultimately leading to and fostering peace within the community of faith. The warning against salt losing its saltiness underscores the critical importance of maintaining spiritual authenticity and effectiveness, without which a disciple becomes useless for their intended purpose.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse concludes a significant section of Jesus' teaching on the nature of true discipleship, immediately following His third passion prediction (Mark 9:30-32). The preceding verses (Mark 9:33-49) address core aspects of Christian living: the call to humility and servanthood (Mark 9:33-37), warnings against causing others to stumble (Mark 9:42), and the radical necessity of self-denial and sacrifice to avoid eternal judgment (Mark 9:43-48). The imagery of "fire" in [Mark 9:49](/mark/9-49 "Mark 9:49 - Every sacrifice salted with fire"), which speaks of purification and judgment, sets the stage for the metaphor of "salt" in [Mark 9:50](/mark/9-50 "Mark 9:50 - Salt and Peace"). Both fire and salt symbolize purification and preservation, suggesting that discipleship involves a costly process of refinement. Thus, [Mark 9:50](/mark/9-50 "Mark 9:50 - Salt and Peace") acts as a concluding exhortation, linking the internal spiritual quality of a disciple with their external impact and their ability to foster harmony within the community.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient world, salt was an incredibly valuable commodity with multifaceted uses. It was primarily used as a **preservative** for food, especially meat, in an era before refrigeration. It served as a **flavoring agent**, making bland food palatable. Beyond culinary uses, salt was employed in **religious rituals** (e.g., in sacrifices as a symbol of purity and covenant, as seen in [Leviticus 2:13](/leviticus/2-13 "Leviticus 2:13 - Salt of the Covenant")), and even as a **purifier** or antiseptic. Economically, it was so vital that Roman soldiers were sometimes paid in salt (hence the word "salary"). The idea of salt "losing its saltness" might seem peculiar to a modern audience, as pure sodium chloride does not lose its chemical properties. However, in ancient Palestine, salt was often collected from salt marshes or mines near the Dead Sea. This salt was typically impure, mixed with gypsum, sand, or other minerals. If the sodium chloride leached out due to moisture or exposure, the remaining bulk material would look like salt but be tasteless and useless, often discarded as worthless on roads or paths.
* **Key Themes:** Several major themes converge in [Mark 9:50](/mark/9-50 "Mark 9:50 - Salt and Peace"). Firstly, the **Disciple's Essential Quality** is highlighted, emphasizing that believers are meant to have a distinctive, positive influence in the world and within the church, much like salt preserves and flavors. This aligns with Jesus' teaching that disciples are the "[salt of the earth](/matthew/5-13 "Matthew 5:13 - Disciples as Salt and Light")" in the Sermon on the Mount. Secondly, the warning about salt losing its flavor speaks to the theme of **Authenticity and Purpose**. It addresses the danger of spiritual decay or losing one's distinctive Christian character and moral integrity. If a disciple loses their spiritual vitality, they become ineffective and unable to fulfill their God-given purpose as spiritual "seasoning" or "preservative." Thirdly, the verse powerfully connects **Internal Character Leading to External Peace**. The command "Have salt in yourselves" calls for an internal spiritual state of wisdom, purity, and integrity. This inner quality is directly linked to the external command, "and have peace one with another," underscoring that true Christian influence and unity within the community stem from individual spiritual health and a commitment to relational harmony. This echoes the broader biblical call for believers to live in peace, as seen throughout the New Testament, such as in [Romans 12:18](/romans/12-18 "Romans 12:18 - Live Peaceably with All").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Salt (Greek, _hálas'_):** Derived from `G217`, this term refers to the common seasoning and preservative. Figuratively, as used here, it denotes prudence, wisdom, purity, and a distinctive, preserving influence. It represents the essential, valuable quality that a disciple should possess.
* **Lost (Greek, _gínomai'_):** From `G1096`, meaning "to become" or "to come into being." In this context, it is used to describe the state of salt becoming "saltless" or "insipid." It implies a transformation from a state of usefulness to one of ineffectiveness, highlighting the danger of spiritual deterioration.
* **Peace (Greek, _eirēneúō'_):** From `G1514`, meaning "to be (act) peaceful" or "to live peaceably." This verb emphasizes the active pursuit and maintenance of harmonious relationships. It is the outward manifestation of the internal "salt" that disciples are commanded to possess, fostering unity and reconciliation within the community.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Salt is good:"** Jesus begins with an undeniable truth about the intrinsic value and beneficial properties of salt. In this metaphor, "salt" represents the essential, distinctive, and preserving quality that characterizes a true disciple of Christ. It implies that a believer's life, when lived authentically, is inherently valuable and beneficial to the world and the church, providing flavor, preservation, and purity.
* **"but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it?"** This is a rhetorical question that highlights the futility of something that has lost its essential nature. If salt, by its very definition, is good because of its "saltness" (its flavor and preserving power), then if it becomes insipid or loses that quality, it is rendered useless for its intended purpose. For the disciple, this warns against spiritual compromise, apathy, or a loss of moral distinctiveness, which renders one ineffective in their calling to influence the world for Christ. Such a disciple cannot "season" or preserve anything, having lost their own spiritual essence.
* **"Have salt in yourselves,"** This is a direct imperative, calling for an internal, personal possession of the qualities symbolized by salt. It speaks to the inner character, spiritual vitality, wisdom, moral integrity, and distinctive Christ-like nature that should reside within each believer. This is not merely an outward display but a deep, authentic spiritual condition.
* **"and have peace one with another."** This second imperative directly links the internal possession of "salt" to the external, relational outcome of peace within the community. The "salt" of wisdom, purity, and integrity within individuals enables and promotes harmonious relationships among believers. It suggests that genuine peace is not merely the absence of conflict but the active cultivation of unity, understanding, and reconciliation, flowing from a spiritually healthy and authentic discipleship.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in [Mark 9:50](/mark/9-50 "Mark 9:50 - Salt and Peace") is **Metaphor**. Jesus uses "salt" as a rich and multi-layered metaphor for the disciple's character, influence, and purpose. Salt's properties of flavoring, preserving, and purifying are directly applied to the spiritual qualities and impact expected of His followers. The phrase "if the salt have lost his saltness" functions as a **Rhetorical Question**, designed not to elicit an answer but to emphasize the absurdity and futility of a disciple who has lost their spiritual distinctiveness. This question powerfully underscores the critical importance of maintaining spiritual vitality. Furthermore, the verse concludes with two **Imperative Mood** commands ("Have salt in yourselves," and "have peace one with another"), which are direct, authoritative instructions from Jesus, emphasizing the non-negotiable nature of these qualities for His followers.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 9:50 encapsulates a profound theological truth: the internal spiritual quality of a believer is intrinsically linked to their external relational effectiveness. The "salt" represents not just moral purity, but also wisdom, spiritual discernment, and the preserving power of the Gospel lived out. This internal "salt" is what enables disciples to be a counter-cultural force in a world prone to decay, and crucially, to foster genuine peace within the body of Christ. It speaks to the covenantal nature of God's relationship with His people, where faithfulness and purity are expected, and where the community is called to reflect His harmony. The loss of "saltness" is a theological warning against apostasy or spiritual barrenness, where one becomes indistinguishable from the world, thereby losing their redemptive purpose and ability to contribute to the peace and health of the church.

* [Matthew 5:13](/matthew/5-13 "Matthew 5:13 - You Are the Salt of the Earth")
* [Colossians 4:6](/colossians/4-6 "Colossians 4:6 - Speech Seasoned with Salt")
* [Romans 12:18](/romans/12-18 "Romans 12:18 - Live Peaceably with All")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 9:50 is a timeless challenge to every follower of Christ to examine the authenticity and effectiveness of their faith. To "have salt in yourselves" means cultivating a deep, vibrant, and genuine relationship with God that permeates every aspect of your character, thought, and action. It calls for spiritual integrity, moral purity, and a wisdom that comes from above, enabling you to discern and live according to God's will. This inner "salt" is what makes you distinctively Christian, a preserving and flavoring influence in a world that desperately needs the Gospel. Furthermore, this verse powerfully reminds us that our personal spiritual health is foundational to the health of the community. When individuals are "salty" in themselves, they are equipped to pursue and maintain peace with others, contributing to unity, reconciliation, and the flourishing of the church. It's a call to proactive peacemaking, not just avoiding conflict, but actively building bridges and fostering harmony, demonstrating the love of Christ to a watching world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be at risk of "losing my saltness" in my daily life or spiritual walk?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate more "salt" (spiritual vitality, wisdom, integrity) within myself?**
* **How does my internal spiritual condition directly impact my ability to "have peace one with another" in my relationships, both within and outside the church?**

### FAQ
**What does Jesus mean by "Salt is good"?**

Answer: When Jesus says "Salt is good," He is affirming the inherent value and beneficial properties of salt in its natural state. As a metaphor for His disciples, it means that a follower of Christ, living authentically and filled with the Holy Spirit, possesses an intrinsic goodness and positive influence. This "goodness" manifests as moral purity, spiritual vitality, wisdom, and a preserving quality that counters the decay of the world. Just as salt makes food palatable and prevents spoilage, a disciple's life should bring flavor, preservation, and purity to their environment, making the Gospel attractive and impactful.

**How can salt "lose its saltness" in a practical sense?**

Answer: In ancient times, salt was often harvested from impure sources, such as salt marshes or mines near the Dead Sea, where it was mixed with other minerals like gypsum. If this impure salt was exposed to moisture, the actual sodium chloride (the "saltness") could leach out, leaving behind a bulk substance that looked like salt but was tasteless and useless for seasoning or preservation. This inert residue was then discarded, often used to fill potholes or spread on paths. Spiritually, this illustrates the danger of a disciple losing their distinctiveness, spiritual vitality, or moral impact. If a believer becomes indistinguishable from the world, compromising their values or losing their passion for Christ, they become ineffective for God's purposes, unable to "season" or preserve others. This concept is also explored in [Matthew 5:13](/matthew/5-13 "Matthew 5:13 - You Are the Salt of the Earth"), where Jesus warns about salt that has lost its flavor.

**What is the connection between "having salt in yourselves" and "having peace one with another"?**

Answer: The connection is profound and direct. "Having salt in yourselves" refers to an internal spiritual state of wisdom, integrity, purity, and spiritual vitality. It means cultivating a character that is distinctively Christ-like. When individuals within a community possess this inner "salt," they are equipped to interact with others in a way that fosters harmony, understanding, and reconciliation. This "salt" acts as a preservative against relational decay (like gossip, bitterness, or division) and as a flavoring agent for healthy, Christ-centered relationships. True peace ("have peace one with another") is not merely the absence of conflict but the active pursuit of unity and mutual edification, which flows naturally from individual spiritual health and maturity. It implies that genuine peace in the community is a direct outcome of the spiritual authenticity and wisdom of its members, as encouraged in [Romans 14:19](/romans/14-19 "Romans 14:19 - Pursue Peace and Mutual Edification").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 9:50, while a direct command to disciples, finds its ultimate fulfillment and enablement in Jesus Christ Himself. He is the embodiment of perfect "salt"—the very essence of divine wisdom, purity, and preserving power. In Him, we see the perfect example of one who possessed "salt in Himself" without measure, always acting with perfect integrity and divine purpose. His life and teachings brought "flavor" to a bland and decaying world, and His presence preserved truth and righteousness. More profoundly, Jesus is our ultimate Peacemaker, the one who "made peace by the blood of his cross" ([Colossians 1:20](/colossians/1-20 "Colossians 1:20 - Reconciliation Through Christ")). He broke down the dividing wall of hostility ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Our Peace")), reconciling humanity to God and to one another. Therefore, our ability to "have salt in ourselves" and "have peace one with another" is not a self-generated effort but a gracious gift and empowering work of the Holy Spirit, enabling us to participate in Christ's own nature and mission. As we abide in Him, the true "salt" and "peace" flow from Him through us, making us effective agents of His kingdom in a world desperately needing His preserving grace and unifying peace ([John 15:5](/john/15-5 "John 15:5 - Abide in Me")).

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

Colossians 4:6

Let your speech [be] alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

Romans 12:18

If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

Matthew 5:13

¶ 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.

2 Corinthians 13:11

¶ Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

Hebrews 12:14

Follow peace with all [men], and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

Philippians 1:27

¶ Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

Luke 14:34

Salt [is] good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned?