MAT 5:16 Interlinear View

1. Greek word
2. Greek lemma
3. OET-LV words
4. OET-RV words
5. Strongs
6. Role/Morphology
7. OET Gloss
8. VLT Gloss
9. CAPS codes
10. Confidence
11. OET tags
12. OET word #
1. Οὕτως
2. houtōs
3. Thus
4. -
5. 37790
6. D·······
7. thus
8. thus
9. S
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount
11. 2052
1. λαμψάτω
2. lampō
3. let shine
4. shine
5. 29890
6. VMAA3··S
7. ˓let˒ shine
8. ˓let˒ shine
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount
11. 2053
1. τό
2. ho
3. the
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····NNS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount
11. 2054
1. φῶς
2. fōs
3. light
4. light
5. 54570
6. N····NNS
7. light
8. light
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount
11. 2055
1. ὑμῶν
2. su
3. of you all
4. of
5. 47710
6. R···2G·P
7. ˱of˲ you_all
8. ˱of˲ you_all
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount; R1857
11. 2056
1. ἔμπροσθεν
2. emprosthen
3. before
4. -
5. 17150
6. P·······
7. before
8. before
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount
11. 2057
1. τῶν
2. ho
3. the
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····GMP
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount
11. 2058
1. ἀνθρώπων
2. anthrōpos
3. people
4. everyone
5. 4440
6. N····GMP
7. people
8. people
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount; F2061; F2067
11. 2059
1. ὅπως
2. hopōs
3. so that
4. so
5. 37040
6. C·······
7. so_that
8. so_that
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount
11. 2060
1. ἴδωσιν
2. horaō
3. they may see
4. they see
5. 37080
6. VSAA3··P
7. ˱they˲ ˓may˒ see
8. ˱they˲ ˓may˒ see
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount; R2059
11. 2061
1. ὑμῶν
2. su
3. of you all
4. -
5. 47710
6. R···2G·P
7. ˱of˲ you_all
8. ˱of˲ you_all
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount; R1857
11. 2062
1. τά
2. ho
3. the
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····ANP
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount
11. 2063
1. καλά
2. kalos
3. good
4. good
5. 25700
6. A····ANP
7. good
8. good
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount
11. 2064
1. ἔργα
2. ergon
3. works
4. -
5. 20410
6. N····ANP
7. works
8. works
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount
11. 2065
1. καί
2. kai
3. and
4. and
5. 25320
6. C·······
7. and
8. and
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount
11. 2066
1. δοξάσωσιν
2. doxazō
3. may glorify
4. -
5. 13920
6. VSAA3··P
7. ˓may˒ glorify
8. ˓may˒ glorify
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount; R2059
11. 2067
1. τόν
2. ho
3. the
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····AMS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount
11. 2068
1. Πατέρα
2. patēr
3. father
4. father
5. 39620
6. N····AMS
7. father
8. Father
9. G
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount; Person=God
11. 2069
1. ὑμῶν
2. su
3. of you all
4. -
5. 47710
6. R···2G·P
7. ˱of˲ you_all
8. ˱of˲ you_all
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount; R1857
11. 2070
1. Πατέρα
2. patēr
3. -
4. -
5. 39620
6. N····AMS
7. ˓the˒ father
8. ˓the˒ Father
9. G
10. Person=God
11. 2071
1. τόν
2. ho
3. which
4. that
5. 35880
6. R····AMS
7. ¬which
8. ¬which
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount
11. 2072
1. ἐν
2. en
3. in
4. -
5. 17220
6. P·······
7. in
8. in
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount
11. 2073
1. τοῖς
2. ho
3. the
4. -
5. 35880
6. E····DMP
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount
11. 2074
1. οὐρανοῖς
2. ouranos
3. heavens
4. heavens
5. 37720
6. N····DMP
7. heavens
8. heavens
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount
11. 2075

SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 5:1–7:29: Jesus preached a sermon on a mountain

For many years, English versions and Christians have commonly referred to Matthew 5–7 as “The Sermon on the Mount.” In some translations, it may be helpful to include a heading for chapters 5–7 that is on a level above the section heading for 5:1–12.

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

The Sermon on the Mountain

The sermon that Jesus preached on a mountain

Jesus taught people on the side of a mountain/hill

5:16a

In the same way, let your light shine before men,

Similarly, cause your^(plur) light to shine before people,
Likewise, just as a light shines before people, let your^(plur) good deeds be seen,
Likewise, just as people see the light from a lamp, in the same way let people see the good ways that you^(plur) live/behave,

In the same way: The Greek word that the BSB translates as In the same way indicates that 5:16 is similar to what precedes. A lamp should be put on a stand so that everyone can see the light and be helped by it (5:15b). Similarly Jesus’ disciples should do good deeds so that everyone can see them and praise God (5:16a).

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

Like the lamp (REB)

Likewise

Similarly

let your light shine before men: The clause let your light shine is a metaphor. In this metaphor, Jesus compared the good deeds of his disciples to the light of a lamp. One way that they are similar is that both should be seen. Neither should be hidden.A number of commentators point out the apparent contradiction between Jesus’ command here in 5:16 to do good deeds before people and his warning in 6:1 not to do good deeds before people. These same commentators also point out that the difference is between doing good deeds so that people praise God (5:16) and doing good deeds so that they themselves receive the glory.

Here are some other ways to translate this metaphor:

Keep the metaphor, but make explicit the meaning of light. For example:
let your good deeds shine out for all to see (NLT)
Change the metaphor to a simile and make parts of it explicit. For example:
like a light that shines before people is visible/seen, let your good deeds be visible
just as people see that light, in that same way make sure that people see the good way that you live/behave
Translate the meaning without the figure of speech. For example:
do your good works/behavior openly

before men: The Greek preposition that the BSB translates as before can also be translated as “in the sight of” or “in the presence of.”

The word men is general and refers to people, both men and women as in 5:13c.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

in people’s sight (NJB)

in the presence of others

5:16b

that they may see your good deeds

so that they may see your^(plur) good actions
in order that when they see them,

that: The Greek conjunction that the BSB translates as that here indicates that 5:16b is the purpose for believers to shine their light before men (5:16a).

Here are some other ways to translate this conjunction:

so that (ESV)

in order that

for the purpose that

they may see your good deeds: The phrase your good deeds means “the good things that you have done.”

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

the good things you do (GNT)

your good works (ESV)

5:16c

and glorify your Father in heaven.

and praise your^(plur) Father in heaven.
they will give honor to God our^(incl) Father. He lives in Heaven.”

and glorify: The Greek word that the BSB translates as glorify means “speak well about someone” or “honor someone.” Here it refers to giving praise to God.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

give honor to (NET)

praise (NIV)

your Father in heaven: In this verse, Jesus speaks of God as your Father. In some languages, that would imply that God was only the Father of those to whom Jesus was speaking, but not Jesus’ Father. If that is so in your language, you may want to translate this phrase as:

our^(incl) Father who lives in heaven

our^(incl) Father. He lives in heaven.

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

λαμψάτω τὸ φῶς ὑμῶν ἔμπροσθεν τῶν ἀνθρώπων

˓let˒_shine (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Οὕτως λαμψάτω τό φῶς ὑμῶν ἔμπροσθεν τῶν ἀνθρώπων ὅπως ἴδωσιν ὑμῶν τά καλά ἔργα καί δοξάσωσιν τόν Πατέρα ὑμῶν τόν ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς)

Here Jesus speaks of proper behavior as if it were a light that could shine. He means that everyone notices and benefits from this proper behavior. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use simile form or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [Let what you do be like a light that shines before men] or [Live your life before men]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / imperative3p

λαμψάτω τὸ φῶς ὑμῶν

If your language does not use the third-person imperative in this way, you could state this in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: [Make sure that your light shines] or [Your light should shine]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / gendernotations

τῶν ἀνθρώπων

the people

Although the term men is masculine, Jesus is using the word in a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a phrase that makes this clear. Alternate translation: [men and women] or [people]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

οὕτως

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Οὕτως λαμψάτω τό φῶς ὑμῶν ἔμπροσθεν τῶν ἀνθρώπων ὅπως ἴδωσιν ὑμῶν τά καλά ἔργα καί δοξάσωσιν τόν Πατέρα ὑμῶν τόν ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς)

Here, the phrase in such a way refers back to what Jesus said in [5:15](../05/15.md) about a lamp shining on everyone in a house. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [just as that lamp shines]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

τὸν Πατέρα ὑμῶν

Jesus speaks of his disciples as if God were their physical father. He means that they have a father-son relationship with God. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [your spiritual Father] or [God, who is like a Father to you,]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς

in the heavens

Here, the phrase in the heavens identifies the location in which God the Father is specially present and from which he rules. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [who is in the heavens]

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)

1. OET-LV words
2. OET-RV words
3. Strongs
4. Greek word
5. Greek lemma
6. Role/Morphology
7. OET Gloss
8. VLT Gloss
9. CAPS codes
10. Confidence
11. OET tags
12. OET word #
1. Thus
2. -
3. 37790
4. S
5. houtōs
6. D-·······
7. thus
8. thus
9. S
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount
11. 2052
1. let
2. shine
3. 29890
5. lampō
6. V-MAA3··S
7. ˓let˒ shine
8. ˓let˒ shine
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount
11. 2053
1. the
2. -
3. 35880
5. ho
6. E-····NNS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount
11. 2054
1. light
2. light
3. 54570
5. fōs
6. N-····NNS
7. light
8. light
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount
11. 2055
1. of you all
2. of
3. 47710
5. su
6. R-···2G·P
7. ˱of˲ you_all
8. ˱of˲ you_all
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount; R1857
11. 2056
1. shine
2. shine
3. 29890
5. lampō
6. V-MAA3··S
7. ˓let˒ shine
8. ˓let˒ shine
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount
11. 2053
1. before
2. -
3. 17150
5. emprosthen
6. P-·······
7. before
8. before
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount
11. 2057
1. the
2. -
3. 35880
5. ho
6. E-····GMP
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount
11. 2058
1. people
2. everyone
3. 4440
5. anthrōpos
6. N-····GMP
7. people
8. people
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount; F2061; F2067
11. 2059
1. so that
2. so
3. 37040
5. hopōs
6. C-·······
7. so_that
8. so_that
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount
11. 2060
1. they may see
2. they see
3. 37080
5. horaō
6. V-SAA3··P
7. ˱they˲ ˓may˒ see
8. ˱they˲ ˓may˒ see
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount; R2059
11. 2061
1. the
2. -
3. 35880
5. ho
6. E-····ANP
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount
11. 2063
1. good
2. good
3. 25700
5. kalos
6. A-····ANP
7. good
8. good
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount
11. 2064
1. works
2. -
3. 20410
5. ergon
6. N-····ANP
7. works
8. works
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount
11. 2065
1. of you all
2. -
3. 47710
5. su
6. R-···2G·P
7. ˱of˲ you_all
8. ˱of˲ you_all
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount; R1857
11. 2062
1. and
2. and
3. 25320
5. kai
6. C-·······
7. and
8. and
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount
11. 2066
1. may glorify
2. -
3. 13920
5. doxazō
6. V-SAA3··P
7. ˓may˒ glorify
8. ˓may˒ glorify
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount; R2059
11. 2067
1. the
2. -
3. 35880
5. ho
6. E-····AMS
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount
11. 2068
1. father
2. father
3. 39620
4. G
5. patēr
6. N-····AMS
7. father
8. Father
9. G
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount; Person=God
11. 2069
1. of you all
2. -
3. 47710
5. su
6. R-···2G·P
7. ˱of˲ you_all
8. ˱of˲ you_all
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount; R1857
11. 2070
1. which
2. that
3. 35880
5. ho
6. R-····AMS
7. ¬which
8. ¬which
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount
11. 2072
1. in
2. -
3. 17220
5. en
6. P-·······
7. in
8. in
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount
11. 2073
1. the
2. -
3. 35880
5. ho
6. E-····DMP
7. the
8. the
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount
11. 2074
1. heavens
2. heavens
3. 37720
5. ouranos
6. N-····DMP
7. heavens
8. heavens
9. -
10. Y31; TSermon_on_the_Mount
11. 2075

Note: The OET-RV is still only a first draft, and so far only a few words have been (mostly automatically) matched to the Hebrew or Greek words that they’re translated from.

Acknowledgements: The SR Greek text, lemmas, morphology, and VLT gloss are all thanks to the CNTR.

OET interlinear MAT 5:16

SR Greek word order (including unused variant words in grey)

Section 5:1–7:29: Jesus preached a sermon on a mountain

5:16a

5:16b

5:16c

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)