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MAT 6:1-4

Giving to the Needy

1"Take care not to practice your righteousness before men in order to be seen by them; otherwise you have no reward from your Father who is in the heavens.

2When therefore you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be glorified by men. Truly I say to you, they have received their reward in full.

3But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,

4so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will repay you."

In the world it was spoken into

In 1st-century Jewish society, almsgiving was a deeply ingrained religious duty, tied to the concept of righteousness . It was seen as a way to demonstrate piety and maintain social standing within the community. Public acts of charity were common, often performed in synagogues or busy streets, where donors could be seen and honored by others. This honor-shame dynamic was central to the culture, as public recognition reinforced one’s reputation and status. However, Jesus critiques this practice by labeling such donors as (hypocrites), a term borrowed from theater, implying they are merely playing a role for applause. He contrasts this with private giving, where the left hand doesn’t know what the right hand is doing, emphasizing secrecy and humility. This subverts the honor-shame economy, redirecting the reward from human approval to divine recognition. The phrase (they have received their reward) underscores that public acclaim is their only compensation, leaving no room for divine acknowledgment.

›See the receipts

How other translations render this

MAT 6:1

KJV
Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
BSB
“Be careful not to perform your righteous acts before men to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
Koinōnos
Take care not to practice your righteousness before men in order to be seen by them; otherwise you have no reward from your Father who is in the heavens.

MAT 6:2

KJV
Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
BSB
So when you give to the needy, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward.
Koinōnos
When therefore you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be glorified by men. Truly I say to you, they have received their reward in full.

MAT 6:3

KJV
But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
BSB
But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
Koinōnos
But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,

MAT 6:4

KJV
That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
BSB
so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Koinōnos
so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.

Translator's notes

MAT 6:1

  • righteousness:The word translated 'righteousness' here encompasses not just moral uprightness, but also the idea of fulfilling one's obligations to God and others, often expressed through acts of justice and charity.

MAT 6:2

  • acts of charity,:The term used here for 'acts of charity' specifically refers to giving alms to the poor, an act of mercy and compassion that was a central part of Jewish piety.
  • hypocrites:The word translated 'hypocrites' originally referred to an actor or a stage player, someone who wears a mask and performs a role, suggesting a pretense or insincerity.
  • they have:The phrase 'they have' carries the sense of having received in full or having been paid in full, implying that their reward is complete and no more is due.