ἐστε (este) in Matthew 5:13: Verb Second Person Plural Present Active Indicative
ἐστε (este) in Matthew 5:13
Textual Witness
The witness reads ἐστε in Matthew 5:13.
How The Form Affects Interpretation
Turns the salt image into a direct present assertion.
How To Communicate It
Use it to explain why the salt image is not merely future hope but a present responsibility.
What Not To Say
- Grammatical form should serve context, not override it.
- Keep the form tied to Matthew 5:13.
- Do not detach it from Jesus predicate statement in Matthew 5:13.
- Do not use morphology alone to build a complete doctrinal claim.
What Does The Label Mean?
Verb: the form names an action, state, or verbal relationship in the clause.
Present: read the tense and aspect from this occurrence, with the sentence controlling the exact force.
Active: voice should be read from the morphology label and clause context.
Indicative: mood should serve the sentence rather than override it.
Person: the form includes person marking, so the clause identifies the grammatical subject through the verb ending.
Not applicable: this verb form is not using noun case to mark its sentence role.
Plural: the form is marked for more than one grammatical subject or referent.
Not applicable: this verb form does not use grammatical gender to make its point.
What The Form Does In This Verse
You and the salt of the earth
Jesus predicate statement in Matthew 5:13
Links the addressed disciples with the salt image as a present claim.
Do not make the present tense carry every aspect of discipleship identity by itself.
How Much The Form Matters Here
Medium: linking verb
Present linking verb. connects the addressed group with the salt image. Attached to you and the salt of the earth. Governed by Jesus predicate statement in Matthew 5:13. Read with You are the salt of the earth.
How is the salt image stated? It is stated as a present claim: you are the salt of the earth.
Direct: The form is naturally rendered are in this clause.
This occurrence must be read within Matthew 5:13, not as a standalone word study.
How The Interpretation Is Derived
The witness reads ἐστε in Matthew 5:13.
The lemma is the common verb for being or existing, here used to connect subject and predicate.
The present indicative makes the metaphor an asserted statement about the addressed group.
Jesus states what the disciples are in relation to the earth before warning about useless salt.
The form supports the Sermon on the Mount by stating disciple identity before ethical warning.
Use it to explain why the salt image is not merely future hope but a present responsibility.
Do not use tense alone to settle all questions about discipleship status or perseverance.