What is the significance of salt in the Bible? Why are the disciples of Jesus called the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13)? This study argues that there are four central notions that stand out. The binding factor is the biblical idea of covenant. The article proceeds with a survey of salt in the Hebrew Scripture and the disciples as salt in the New Testament.

The issue of who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven was a matter of great weight to the Lord Jesus. The issue is addressed in all three Synoptic Gospels. For Jesus it is much more than a quarrel among his disciples; it is actually nothing less than the possibility that they will forego their place in the eschatological kingdom. The article focuses on Matthew 18:1-4, but the parallels in Mark and Luke are taken into account.