The salt parable (Mark 9:50, par. Matthew 5:13 and Luke 14:34–35)

The salt parable is structured as a counterfactual conditional that asked of its original hearers a question. When first uttered, co-text and context would have given clues to the issue that prompted the question and its corresponding answer. Mark, Matthew and Luke lacked such clues but used their narratives to provide to its new hearers an insight into its meaning; they differ, however, as to whether salt is used as a metaphor for the disciple (Matthew and Luke) or a quality possessed by the disciple (Mark). The curious use of μωρανθῇ in Q has contributed to this difference and shows, it is argued, that the translator (?) had sought to provide a clue as to the target domain of the salt parable.