Matthew 5:16

16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

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Matthew 5:16 in Other Translations

KJV

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

ESV

16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

NLT

16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

MSG

16 Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand - shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

CSB

16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:16 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 5:16

Let your light so shine before men
Here Christ applies the foregoing simile to his disciples, and more fully opens the meaning and design of it. His sense is this; that the light of the Gospel, which he had communicated to them, the spiritual knowledge of the mysteries of grace, which he had favoured them with, were to be openly declared, and made manifest before men. Light was not given merely for their own private use, but for the public good of mankind; and therefore, as they were placed as lights in the world, they were to hold forth, in the most open and conspicuous manner, the word of light and life:

that they may see your good works:
meaning their zeal and fervency; their plainness and openness; their sincerity, faithfulness, and integrity; their courage and intrepidity; their diligence, industry, and indefatigableness in preaching the Gospel; their strict regard to truth, the honour of Christ, and the good of souls; as also their very great care and concern to recommend the doctrines of grace, by their example in their lives and conversations:

and glorify your Father which is in heaven;
that is, that when the ministration of the Gospel has been blessed, for the illumination of the minds of men, to a thorough conviction of their state; and for their regeneration, conversion, sanctification, and comfort; they may give praise to God, and bless his name for qualifying and sending such Gospel ministers to show unto them the way of salvation; and that the word has been made useful to them for communicating spiritual light, life, joy, and comfort, (Mymvbv wnyba) , "Our and your Father which is in heaven", is a name, appellation, or periphrasis of God, frequently used by Jewish writers ^F19; and is often expressed by Christ in these his sermons on the mount.

FOOTNOTES:

F19 Vid. Misn. Sota, c. 9. sect. 15. & Yoma, c. 8. sect. 9.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Matthew 5:16 In-Context

14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.

15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.

16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.

18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.