What illustration did Jesus use when He told the twelve they were the light of the world?
The illustration was a city on a hill. Jesus likely saw a city sitting on a mountainside ten or fifteen miles away and told the twelve, 'You, just like that city on a hill, are the light of the world.' This showed they were to be a visible light to the world.
Les teaches that Jesus was speaking to the twelve on the northern shores of Galilee and probably saw the city of Soffit sitting on a mountainside ten or fifteen miles away. He used that city as a perfect illustration, saying, 'You, just like that city on a hill, you are the light of the world.' Les explains that while Israel was promised to be the light of the world in the Old Testament, Israel rejected that opportunity. Now, by application, believers today are the light of the world, and we can still make the same application.
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
More Questions
Was Jesus talking to Israel or to believers when He said 'You are the light of the world'?
The 'light of the world' can be applied to believers today, but Jesus originally spoke those words to Israel, not to Christians.