Matthew 4:16

His Light Having Shone On Them (4:16) His Disciples Are To Be The Light Of The World.

In Matthew 4:16 a great light was seen as having come into the world in Jesus Christ, and as having shone on Galilee, revealing God and Himself to the people. Now the disciples are to recognise that they have a similar function, to be a light to the world (note the oneness implied by the singular noun). And they must ensure that that light shines for one purpose only, to bring glory to God in Heaven. It is not accidental that Matthew spoke of the coming light, before describing Jesus' teaching about them as the light of the world. We may reasonably assume from what Matthew said that Jesus had also prepared them for this by speaking in a similar way.

Analysis.

a You are the light of the world.

b A city set on a hill cannot be hid.

c Nor do men light a lamp, and put it under the bushel measure, but on the stand.

d And it shines to all who are in the house.

c Even so let your light shine before men,

b That they may see your good works,

a And glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Note that in ‘a' they are the ‘light' of the ‘world', and in the parallel they ‘glorify' their Father in ‘Heaven'. By their actions on earth they are to bring Heaven to earth. In ‘b' they are like a city on a hill visible to all, and in the parallel their good works are to be visible to all (for the right reasons, not in the same way as the Pharisees). In ‘c' men light a lamp, and in the parallel the disciples are to let their light shine before men. Centrally in ‘d' it is to shine to all who are in the house.

But note also that there is the prime statement followed by the progression. They are the light of the world. They cannot therefore be hidden. Nor should any attempt be made to hide it. Rather it should be allowed to shine out. Then men will glorify God in Heaven. (The twofold pattern continues).