New Testament
Luke 14:34
The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English
At a Glance
In this verse, Jesus uses the metaphor of salt to illustrate the importance of maintaining one's purpose and effectiveness.
- Author
- Luke the physician
- Written
- Around AD 60-62
- Genre
- Gospel and history
- Original Audience
- Gentile Christians (addressed to Theophilus)
Salt is good. But if salt loses its flavor, how can it be made salty again?
Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned?
Verse Analysis
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, Jesus uses the metaphor of salt to illustrate the importance of maintaining one's purpose and effectiveness. Salt is valued for its flavor and preservative qualities, symbolizing the influence and impact that believers should have in the world. When salt loses its flavor, it becomes useless, just as a follower of Christ who does not live out their faith loses their ability to positively influence others. The question posed—how can it be made salty again?—highlights the difficulty of restoring something that has lost its essential qualities. This serves as a warning to remain vigilant in our faith and actions, ensuring that we do not become ineffective or complacent in our spiritual lives. The verse encourages believers to reflect on their role in the world and to actively cultivate their faith so that they can continue to be a source of goodness and truth.
Related Bible verses
How to apply Luke 14:34 to your life
To apply this teaching, regularly assess your spiritual life and the impact you have on those around you. Engage in practices that deepen your faith, such as prayer, study, and community involvement, ensuring you remain a positive influence in your environment.
Curated for this public verse page. Luke Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Luke 14:34 mean?
Luke 14:34 uses the metaphor of salt to illustrate the importance of maintaining one's effectiveness and purpose as a believer. Just as salt is valued for its flavor, followers of Christ are called to positively influence the world around them.
What is the significance of salt in Luke 14:34?
In this verse, salt represents the influence and impact that believers should have. When salt loses its flavor, it becomes useless, paralleling how a believer who does not live out their faith loses their ability to make a positive difference.
How can I apply Luke 14:34 to my life?
To apply Luke 14:34, regularly evaluate your spiritual life and the influence you have on others. Engage in practices like prayer and community service to ensure you remain a positive force in your environment.
What does losing flavor mean in Luke 14:34?
Losing flavor in Luke 14:34 refers to a believer becoming ineffective or complacent in their faith. It serves as a warning to stay active and engaged in one's spiritual life to maintain a positive influence.

The Book of Luke
Luke 1: The Births of John the Baptist and Jesus Foretold
In the days of Herod, king of Judaea, a priest named Zacharias serves in the temple. He and his wife Elisabeth are both righteous but have no children because Elisabeth is barren, and they are both old. While Zacharias burns incense, the angel Gabriel appears to him and says Elisabeth will bear a son who is to be named John. The child will be great before the Lord, will drink no wine or strong drink, and will be filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother's womb. He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. Zacharias asks how he can know this, since he and his wife are old. Gabriel says Zacharias will be unable to speak until these things come to pass because he did not believe.
Unlock the full Luke summary
Continue reading every chapter — themes, structure, and turning points.
The complete summary of Luke — a chapter-by-chapter breakdown covering all 24 chapters.
What you get
Every chapter of Luke summarized in clear, modern English
How each section connects — narrative flow, key themes, and turning points
Permanent access — read anytime, on any device
Best value • Save over 90%
One-time purchase • Access anytime
ClearBible summaries are proprietary content and may not be copied, republished, or resold.
Checkout works as a guest. After payment, you create an account to claim your unlock.