Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 14:35

"It is fit neither for the land nor for the dunghill: [men] cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." — Luke 14:35 (ASV)

This saying poses two questions: Why does it occur here? and, How does salt lose its saltiness? Its place here is due to the common element it shares with the preceding illustrations—the consistent quality of life that Jesus expects of his disciples. The reference to salt may be to adulteration either by impurities in the beds by the Dead Sea from which salt slabs were taken or by inert fillers introduced by unscrupulous dealers. The point is that tasteless salt is useless. Those who have ears are expected to apply this lesson to themselves.