Home › Bible verses › Matthew 5:16
Bible verse
Matthew 5:16
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
What it means
Jesus calls his followers to let their lives shine openly, not to win applause but to point past themselves. When people see love, mercy, and goodness in us, the aim is that they lift their eyes to the Father and give him glory. Our good works are windows, not mirrors. Having received his light, we carry it into ordinary places so that a watching world glimpses the God who is the true source of every kindness they see in us.
Matthew 5:16 at a glance
| Reference | Matthew 5:16 |
|---|---|
| Book | Matthew |
| Chapter to read it in | Matthew 5 |
| Topic | serving |
| Passages linked to it | 10 |
| Translation on this page | King James Version (public domain) |
Read it in context
Read it beside its neighbours. These are the passages readers most often set next to this one.
- 1 Peter 2:12
- Titus 2:7
- John 15:8
- 1 John 1:5-7
- Philippians 2:15-16
- Ephesians 5:8
- Isaiah 60:1-3
- 1 Peter 3:16
- 1 Peter 4:14
- 1 Peter 2:9
Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info, used under CC BY.
Questions people ask
Where do I find Matthew 5:16?
It is in Matthew, in Matthew 5. Reading the whole chapter shows who is speaking, to whom, and why.
What other passages go with Matthew 5:16?
Readers most often set it beside 1 Peter 2:12, Titus 2:7, John 15:8, 1 John 1:5-7. Each is listed under Read it in context.
How can I pray Matthew 5:16?
Read it slowly once, then say it back to God in your own words, one phrase at a time. Stop on the phrase that stays with you and stay there. You can also ask the family of God on The Living Bread to pray it with you.
Pray this
Father, you are already present in Matthew 5:16, before any of us arrive. We bring you Matthew 5:16, serving. Teach us to love one another, as you have loved us. In the name of Jesus, amen.
Live this
Where to begin this week.
- Read all of Matthew 5 today, not only the one verse.
- Write Matthew 5:16 where you will see it, and read it aloud at the start and end of the day.
- Tell one person what this verse means to you, and ask what verse has carried them.
Where this fits in the walk with Christ
Christ meets people in a place, and then walks on with them. Here are doors that walk on.
Read it, pray it, live it
On The Living Bread you can read the whole chapter, save this verse, ask Simon to explain it, pray it over your life, and share it with someone who needs it today.
