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Explanation for:
Matthew
5
:
14
You are the light of the world. A city seated on a mountain cannot be hid.
14
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"The Savior instructs the importance of being steadfast in proclamation, urging the apostles not to retreat in fear or to be concealed like a lamp hidden under a measure, but rather to boldly share from the rooftops the truths they have received in private, as if speaking from the inner chambers."},{"author-name":"Hilarius of Poitiers","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88cb92f12b3278598f946_Hilarius%20of%20Poitiers.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Christ refers to the body He assumed as a city, signifying that just as a city accommodates a variety of inhabitants, He embodies a unique unity of the entire human race through the incarnation. By this union, He transformed into a city, and in participating in His flesh, we became its residents. Thus, Christ is no longer concealed; He is manifest to everyone, residing in the highest realms alongside God and revealed through His wondrous deeds. A lamp that is covered cannot illuminate. What purpose does a hidden lamp serve? The Lord rightly likens the covering to the synagogue, which, by keeping its gains solely to itself, adhered to a limited form of observance. However, since the arrival of the Lord, the synagogue has been rendered barren. Therefore, the light of Christ must not remain obscured, nor should the synagogue be shrouded. The Lord who was crucified on the cross bestows everlasting light to all members of the Church."},{"author-name":"Anonymous Commentary (Opus Imperfectum)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":4,"exegesis-text":"What is this city? It is the assembly of the holy ones, concerning which the prophet declares: Glorious things are spoken of you, O city of God (Ps. 86:3)! Its inhabitants are the faithful, of whom the apostle states, ‘You are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God (Eph. 2:19)."},{"author-name":"Ephraem the Syrian","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88b589fc3e99eb7bb1839_Ephraem%20the%20Syrian.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Just as the sun and the eye enable us to see all that is visible in the heavens and on the earth, the Life-giving God serves as the illumination for all who live. When He unites with a person’s intellect, He guides them toward a deeper understanding of divine mysteries, drawing them into profound wisdom and revealing secrets that were once concealed. Hence, it is said, “You are the light of the world,” and “You are the salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13)."},{"author-name":"Macarius the Egyptian","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c894b8dd64f2df5bcb2030_Macarius%20the%20Egyptian.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"The souls of the just are transformed into the radiant glory of heaven, as indicated in Ezekiel 1:13. The Lord declared to His Apostles, \\"Ye are the light of the world.\\" This reflects an allegorical interpretation of the vision shared by the Prophet Ezekiel."},{"author-name":"Chromatius of Aquileia","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88a3df6d7a747a33b4f4a_Chromatius%20of%20Aquileia.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":5,"exegesis-text":"The Lord referred to His disciples as the salt of the earth because they imparted heavenly wisdom to a humanity diminished by the adversary. Furthermore, He identifies them as the light of the world, for they have been illuminated by Him, the true and everlasting light, thus becoming a beacon in the midst of darkness. If He is indeed the sun of righteousness (Malachi 4:2), it is fitting that His followers are called the light of the world, for through them, as if they were radiant beams, He has shared the light of His teachings with all of creation, dispelling the shadows of error from people's hearts and unveiling the brilliance of truth."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"First is salt, then light, for he who reveals concealed truths is light. All that becomes visible is light. The apostles illuminated not merely a single nation but the entire world. The Lord urges them to be diligent and mindful in their conduct, as all will observe them. Do not assume, He cautions, that you will remain unnoticed; you will be in full view; thus, be vigilant to live uprightly, lest you become a stumbling block to others."},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"You are the true light of the world. Humanity, enveloped in the shadows of falsehood, is called to witness this light. You are appointed to serve as a beacon for them, illuminating their spiritual discernment with the brightness of truth and understanding, and guiding them along the righteous path that honors God. Thus, two callings have been entrusted to them: to serve as salt and light; first, to safeguard against moral decay, and second, to instruct in divine wisdom. Just as a hailstorm cannot find refuge upon the summit of a mountain, so too must you seek perfection and purity in your life. You are commanded to remain resolute in your endeavors, as you will be displayed before all people and elevated in the vast stage of creation. Likewise, a hailstorm cannot shelter itself at the peak of a mountain; nor should you seek refuge at the heights of spiritual teaching. Therefore, take care to conduct yourselves wisely, so that those who observe you may witness a life and teachings that are truly admirable."},{"author-name":"Nicephoros (Theotokis)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8958407451968d9c204fb_Nicephoros%20(Theotokis).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":18,"exegesis-text":"The God-Man referred to His followers as the light of the world. Just as the physical light of the sun brightens the earthly landscape, enabling humanity to observe and understand their surroundings, so do the heralds of God and the Apostles illuminate the spirits of individuals through the message of the Gospel. Those who receive this illumination come to recognize and believe in the truths of divine realities. \\"Ye are the light of the world,” meaning you are the spiritual illumination for all people globally. He added that the hail on the mountain’s peak cannot be concealed from human gaze; just as all can see when a lamp is lit and placed upon the candleholder, rather than hidden under a bowl, so too should the light of faith be made visible. \\n\\nWhat, then, is the significance of these words, and what lesson does our Lord Jesus impart? He addressed the Apostles, declaring, \\"Since God has appointed you as messengers of faith, you are evident to all, like a city set on a hill; therefore, live in a manner that is pure and sanctified. Let the brilliance of your grace-filled lives and good deeds shine forth, illuminating the entire world. Because you have been chosen for this mission, do not obscure the message of the Gospel out of negligence or fear. Instead, let it be proclaimed from the heights, fervently shared with all creation, and bring light to everyone in this earthly realm, akin to illuminating a dwelling. This is reinforced by the exhortation: \\"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.\\""},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"You are the light of the world. This statement is metaphorical. The light, specifically the light of the world, symbolizes the sun (John 11:9). The sun illuminates objects, revealing their beauty or flaws and bringing them to life. The term light is often associated with intellectual and moral enlightenment. It represents both the Origin and manifestation of understanding (Matt. 4:16; Lk. 2:32; Jn. 1:4; Jn. 8:12; Is. 49:6, etc.). In this context, light signifies the Lord Jesus, for He is the illumination that brings knowledge to the world, the Source of all wisdom. The apostles, the followers of Christ, and all genuine believers are akin to the rays of this Sun of Truth and serve as the lamps of the world, as they illuminate the truths God reveals about Himself through their lives and teachings; their mission is to enlighten the spiritually blind and revive those who are dead. \\n\\nPeace. ‘Peace again (as in Matthew 5:13), not limited to one nation, but extending to the entire universe’ (Chrysostom). A city cannot be hidden among other things. Many cities in Judea and other regions were built upon mountains or hills, making them visible from great distances. Maundrell notes that near the location where the Lord delivered this message, there exists a town named Saphed (historically, Betulia), situated on a mountain and easily seen from afar, suggesting that the Savior may have pointed toward it, paralleling it with His disciples. They are visible from a distance and must be; their deeds cannot and should not be concealed. The world’s attention must be directed to them, and it will be (cf. Chrysostom and Theophylact). If they were timid enough to attempt to hide, it would be as unnatural as a city built on a hill being invisible or concealed."},{"author-name":"Kochomski S.W.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"They serve as the illumination of the world. They are the beacon that stands atop the mountain, visible to every traveler’s gaze, drawing all paths toward it."},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"You are not merely the salt of the earth; you are the light that shines upon the world. It is essential for you to illuminate the entire world with the brilliance of my teachings. Just as light inevitably radiates, so too must you, filled with the essence of my message, illuminate the world around you. A traveler cannot remain concealed from the gaze of a city positioned atop a hill (Matthew 5:14), nor is a lit candle placed in a manner that it does not provide light to all in the area. Similarly, allow the radiant truth I have ignited within you to shine forth for the entire world to see! Let your good works be visible! May others admire the humility and gentleness with which you endure all forms of persecution and suffering, and may they glorify your Father in heaven, who has bestowed upon you such strength. These words of Jesus resonate with all who have been enlightened by his teachings. Having received the light of Christ, we must not hide it from those around us, nor allow it to be obscured by a prevalent sense of false shame or the fear of being perceived as outdated in the face of modern secularism. Just as we should not bury the talents entrusted to us by God, we must also not fail to dispel the surrounding darkness with the light of truth. When we are illuminated by Christ's light, we gain not rights (which will come later), but responsibilities; those entrusted with more illumination will be held accountable for not sharing their light amidst the darkness. And how profound is the darkness that envelops us!"},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The entire world is shrouded in sin, the Saviour tells His disciples, and you are called to illuminate it with My radiance; thus, YOU are the LIGHT OF THE WORLD. There exists only one genuine light that enlightens every individual—He Himself, our Lord, as He proclaims, ‘I am the light of the world’ (John 8:12). Just as the sun bestows its brightness upon the moon, so the Lord shines His light upon the apostles, and through them, He illuminates the world and all humanity with the brilliance of His grace. The prophets were commissioned to a single nation; the apostles were sent to the entirety of creation, making them the light not of just one people, but of the whole cosmos—the spiritual illumination for all. Just as sunlight dispels darkness, the apostles, through their proclamation of the Gospel, eradicated the shadows of idolatry. Furthermore, the sunlight not only casts light but also offers warmth; in a similar manner, the apostles, empowered by Christ’s grace, warmed the cold hearts of humanity and inspired them to pursue goodness. Therefore, the Lord instructed the apostles, ‘Do not conceal My grace, My redemptive message; apply it not only for your own benefit but also for the salvation of others. Be vigilant; your actions shall be evident to all: A CITY CANNOT BE HIDDEN ON A MOUNTAIN.'"},{"author-name":"Ignatij (Briantchaninow)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ce37597540c9caa5df5_Ignatij%20(Briantchaninow).png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The one who is elevated, spiritual, and devoid of passion is the individual who has been enveloped by the Holy Spirit. Filled with His presence, this person operates and communicates under His guidance, transcending earthly desires and their inherent nature. These individuals, truly the light of the world and the salt of the earth, perceive themselves and their neighbors but only in a spiritual context."}]}
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