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.
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}.
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."
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.”
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.
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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?
Mark 9:50 concludes a section of Jesus' teaching on discipleship, commitment, and the seriousness of spiritual stumbling blocks. It uses the metaphor of salt to encapsulate the essence of a disciple's character and their relational responsibilities within the community of believers.
Context
This verse follows a series of challenging statements by Jesus regarding the cost of discipleship, the importance of humility (Mark 9:35), and severe warnings against causing others to stumble (Mark 9:42). The preceding verses (Mark 9:43-49) speak of radical self-denial, judgment, and a purifying "fire" or "salt" that is necessary for believers. In this light, verse 50 serves as a crucial summary, linking the internal spiritual quality of a follower of Christ with their external impact and their ability to foster peace among one another.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Greek word for "salt" is halas (ἅλας). The phrase "lost his saltness" translates the Greek moraino (μωραίνω), which literally means "to make foolish" or "to become dull." This implies that salt losing its flavor is akin to it becoming useless or foolish for its intended purpose. In ancient times, salt was often collected from salt marshes or mines and could be impure, mixed with gypsum or other minerals. If the sodium chloride leached out, the remaining substance would look like salt but be tasteless and therefore useless for seasoning or preservation, often discarded as worthless.
Practical Application
Mark 9:50 profoundly challenges every believer to assess their spiritual condition. To "have salt in yourselves" means cultivating a deep, authentic faith that influences your character, wisdom, and interactions. This inner spiritual "salt" enables you to be a positive, preserving force in a world prone to moral decay, much like Jesus taught disciples are the salt of the earth. Furthermore, this internal integrity is foundational for fostering peace and unity within the Christian community. It reminds us that our witness and effectiveness depend not just on outward actions, but on the genuine spiritual vitality within. Just as Colossians 4:6 instructs us to have our speech seasoned with salt, so too should our entire lives reflect the preserving and peace-making power of Christ.