Matthew · Chapter 5

Matthew 5:16 — Bible Verse Meaning & Context

Read this verse slowly. Let it settle before you move on.

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Read in chapter context · Matthew 5

Both translations, side by side

WEB · World English Bible

"Even so, let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."

KJV · King James Version

"Let your5216 light5457 so3779 shine2989 before1715 men444, that3704 they may see1492 your5216 good2570 works2041, and2532 glorify1392 your5216 Father3962 which3588 is in1722 heaven3772."

How the translations differ: The WEB is a modern public-domain revision of the 1901 ASV; the KJV dates to 1611. The KJV uses which, while the WEB renders these as even, who. Both translate the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text — the differences are stylistic, not theological.

In context

Matthew 5:16 in Matthew 5

A Bible verse rarely stands alone. Here is Matthew 5:16 read with the verses immediately before and after — the surrounding flow of Matthew 5. Read the full chapter →

v.14 You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can’t be hidden.
v.15 Neither do you light a lamp, and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand; and it shines to all who are in the house.
v.16 Even so, let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
v.17 “Don’t think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn’t come to destroy, but to fulfill.
v.18 For most certainly, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not even one smallest letter or one tiny pen stroke shall in any way pass away from the law, until all things are accomplished.

Book background

About the Book of Matthew

Testament: New Testament
Genre: Gospel
Author: Matthew (Levi), tax collector turned apostle
Date written: c. 50–70 AD
Audience: Primarily Jewish Christians
Chapters: 28

Matthew presents Jesus as the long-awaited King in the line of David, structuring his Gospel around five major teaching blocks — most famously the Sermon on the Mount (chapters 5–7). He repeatedly shows how Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecy. The Great Commission (28:18-20) closes the book.

Setting: Written to demonstrate Jesus as Israel's promised Messianic King.

Key themes: kingdom of heaven · fulfillment · discipleship · authority · mission

Read Matthew from the beginning →

Memorisation aid

How to memorise Matthew 5:16

Matthew 5:16 contains 23 words in 4 clauses. Learn one clause at a time, then chain them. The first-letter mnemonic (FLM) under each clause is a memory hook — once you can speak the FLM from memory, the full clause follows.

1

Even so

ES
2

let your light shine before men

LYLSBM
3

that they may see your good works

TTMSYG
4

and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

AGYFWI

Frequently asked

FAQ about Matthew 5:16

What does Matthew 5:16 say?

Matthew 5:16 reads: "Even so, let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." — from the New Testament, Matthew (Gospel). The full verse is shown above with both the World English Bible (WEB) and King James Version (KJV) translations side by side.

What book of the Bible is Matthew 5:16 in?

Matthew 5:16 is in the book of Matthew, traditionally attributed to Matthew (Levi), tax collector turned apostle and written around c. 50–70 AD. Matthew is gospel in the New Testament, originally addressed to Primarily Jewish Christians. Best known for the Sermon on the Mount and the Beatitudes.

What is the difference between Matthew 5:16 in WEB and KJV?

Matthew 5:16 in the World English Bible (WEB) reads: "Even so, let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.". The King James Version (KJV) reads: "Let your5216 light5457 so3779 shine2989 before1715 men444, that3704 they may see1492 your5216 good2570 works2041, and2532 glorify1392 your5216 Father3962 which3588 is in1722 heaven3772.". The WEB is a modern public-domain translation that updates the KJV's 1611 English while keeping a similar formal-equivalence style. Both render the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text.

How long is Matthew 5:16?

Matthew 5:16 is 23 words in the WEB translation (118 characters), broken into 4 clauses. It is short and well-suited to memorisation. Estimated reading time is about 7 seconds.

How can I memorise Matthew 5:16?

To memorise Matthew 5:16, split it into its 4 natural clauses and learn one at a time. Repeat the full verse out loud five times, then write it from memory. Saving the verse as a photo wallpaper using our verse image studio helps daily review — the visual association with a memorable background dramatically improves recall.

Why does Matthew 5:16 matter in Matthew?

How can I apply Matthew 5:16 today?

Many readers use Matthew 5:16 as a daily reminder verse — saving it as a phone wallpaper, sharing it on Pinterest, or memorising it for prayer. The verse studio on this page lets you download Matthew 5:16 on 52 different backgrounds for free. Pair the verse with the surrounding chapter context shown above to understand its full meaning before applying it.

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