• Mark 9:50
    The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures

    • 50 Καλὸν Fine τὸ the ἅλας· salt; ἐὰν if ever δὲ but τὸ the ἅλας salt ἄναλον saltless γένηται, might become, ἐν in τίνι what αὐτὸ it ἀρτύσετε; will you season? ἔχετε Be having ἐν in ἑαυτοῖς selves ἅλα, salt, καὶ and εἰρηνεύετε be keeping peace ἐν in ἀλλήλοις. one another.

  • Mark 9:50
    King James Version

    • 50 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.

  • Mark Study Notes—Chapter 9
    New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)

    • 9:50

      Salt: A mineral used for preserving and flavoring food.​—See study note on Mt 5:13.

      loses its saltiness: Or “loses its strength.” In Jesus’ day, salt was often obtained from the Dead Sea area and was contaminated by other minerals. If the salty portion was removed from this mixture, only a tasteless, useless residue remained.

      Have salt in yourselves: Jesus evidently here uses “salt” to refer to the quality in Christians that causes them to do and say things that are in good taste, considerate, and wholesome and that tend toward preserving the lives of others. The apostle Paul uses “salt” in a similar way at Col 4:6. Perhaps Jesus was thinking of his apostles’ arguments about who would be the greatest. Figurative salt makes what a person says easier for others to accept and can thus help to preserve peace.