Matthew 6:3

Matthew 6:3 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
• New International Version (NIV)But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
• English Standard Version (ESV)But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
• New King James Version (NKJV)But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,

Context of Matthew 6:3

1“Be [very] careful not to do your good deeds publicly, to be seen by men; otherwise you will have no reward [prepared and awaiting you] with your Father who is in heaven. 2“So whenever you give to the poor and do acts of kindness, do not blow a trumpet before you [to advertise it], as the hypocrites do [like actors acting out a role] in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored and recognized and praised by men. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, they [already] have their reward in full. But when you give to the poor and do acts of kindness, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing [give in complete secrecy], 4so that your charitable acts will be done in secret; and your Father who sees [what is done] in secret will reward you. 5“Also, when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to pray [publicly] standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets so that they may be seen by men. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, they [already] have their reward in full.

Matthew 6:3 word by word

σοῦ δὲ ποιοῦντος ἐλεημοσύνην μὴ γνώτω ἡ ἀριστερά σου τί ποιεῖ ἡ δεξιά σουRead the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Butδέde · thenG1161
• whenποιέωpoieō · to do/make: doG4160
• thouσύsu · youG4771
• almsἐλεημοσύνηeleēmosunē · charityG1654
• letγινώσκωginōskō · to knowG1097
• notμήmē · notG3361
• left handἀριστερόςaristēros · leftG710
• whatτίςtis · which?G5101
• right handδεξιόςdexios · rightG1188

Cross-references for Matthew 6:3

• Matthew 8:4And Jesus said to him, “See that you tell no one [about this]; but go, show yourself to the priest [for inspection] and present the offering that Moses commanded, as a testimony (evidence) to them [of your healing].”
• Matthew 9:30And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them: “See that no one knows this!”
• Matthew 12:19He will not quarrel, nor cry out loudly; Nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets.
• Mark 1:44saying to him, “See that you tell no one anything [about this]; but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your purification what Moses commanded, as proof to them [that you are really healed].”
• John 7:4No one does anything in secret when he wants to be known publicly. If You [must] do these things, show Yourself openly to the world and make Yourself known!”

Commentaries on Matthew 6:3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 3Let not thy left hand know - In many cases, works of charity must be hidden from even our nearest relatives, who, if they knew, would hinder us from doing what God has given us power and inclination to perform. We must go even farther; and conceal them as far as is possible from ourselves, by not thinking of them, or eyeing them with complacency. They are given to God, and should be hidden in Him.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 3Let not thy left hand know … - This is a proverbial expression, signifying that the action should be done as secretly as possible. The Hebrews often attribute actions to members which properly belong to persons. The encouragement for performing our acts of charity in secret is that it will be pleasing to God; that he will see the act, however secret it may be, and will openly reward it. If the reward is not granted in this life, it will be in the life to…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 33. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth--So far from making a display of it, dwell not on it even in thine own thoughts, lest it minister to spiritual pride.Read the comment

Topics related to Matthew 6:3

• Alms
• Commandments
• Giving
• Liberality
• Motive
• Pharisees
• Religion
• Works

In the dictionaries

• Left hand
• Add
• Appear
• Closet
• Consider
• Corrupt
• Countenance
• Despise
• Fast
• Forgive

Commentaries on Matthew 6

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Catena Aurea
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• John Lightfoot Commentary
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings