13 Jesus describes his disciples (the ὑμεῖς, “you,” is emphatic) as τὸ ἅλας τῆς γῆς, “the salt of the earth.” It is difficult to know which specific natural quality of salt (e.g., preserving [Carson], purifying, seasoning [Luz], fertilizing [Gundry]), if any, he intends. There is, moreover, the possibility of salt as a metaphor for wisdom (Nauck), as well as various other associations—sacrificial (Lev 2:13a; Ezek 43:24; see Cullmann, Souček, and Gerhardsson), covenantal (Num 18:19;