Paragraph 14:34–35

In this paragraph Jesus used a figure of speech. He compared the disciples to salt, but he did not mention them explicitly. One way to indicate that Jesus was using a figure of speech is to add a separate section heading for this paragraph. A suggested heading is:

Jesus compared his disciples to salt

Parallel verses occur in Matthew 5:13 and Mark 9:50.

14:34a

If you decide to begin a new section here, you may want to indicate that Jesus was still speaking. For example:

⌊Jesus then told them a parable. He said⌋

If you do not have a separate section heading, a quote introduction like the one above may help to clarify that Jesus was speaking about salt figuratively, not literally.

Salt is good: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as good can also mean “useful.” Salt is useful or valuable because it makes food taste good and it stops food from rotting. Since there is more than one possible use for salt, you should avoid specifying only one use in your translation. Some other ways to translate this clause are:

Salt is a good thing (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
There are good uses for salt
-or-
Salt is useful/valuable

14:34b–c

but if the salt loses its savor, with what will it be seasoned?: This is a rhetorical question. It emphasizes the fact that it certainly cannot become salty again. Some ways to emphasize this fact are:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

But if salt loses its flavor, how can it be restored?
-or-
But if it loses its saltiness, is there a way to make it salty again? ⌊No! It is not possible!⌋

• As a statement. For example:

but if it loses its saltiness, there is no way to make it salty again (Good News Translation)
-or-
but salt that loses its flavor certainly cannot become salty again
-or-
but if it loses its taste/strength, it is definitely not possible to cause its taste/strength to return

14:34b

but if the salt loses its savor: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as loses its savor is literally “becomes tasteless.” It refers to salt that has stopped having a salty flavor. This expression can be difficult to translate. The word “loses” may not fit in this context. The taste of salt is also expressed in many different ways. Some other ways to translate this expression are:

if its saltiness is removed
-or-
if it no longer has its taste/flavor
-or-
if it has become insipid/tasteless
-or-
if its strength is gone

Use a natural expression in your language.

14:34c

with what will it be seasoned?: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as will…be seasoned is passive. Some other ways to translate this passive are:

• Make it active and supply a subject that can refer to any person. For example:

how will you restore its flavor? (God’s Word)

• Use a causative. For example:

it is definitely not possible to cause its taste/strength to return

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