God’s Word Translation
Matthew 6:2
2So when you give to the poor, don’t announce it with trumpet fanfare. This is what hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets in order to be praised by people. I can guarantee this truth: That will be their only reward.
Matthew 6:2 in other versions
- King James Version (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.
- New International Version (NIV)“So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.
- English Standard Version (ESV)"Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.
Context of Matthew 6:2
1“Be careful not to do your good works in public in order to attract attention. If you do, your Father in heaven will not reward you. So when you give to the poor, don’t announce it with trumpet fanfare. This is what hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets in order to be praised by people. I can guarantee this truth: That will be their only reward. 3When you give to the poor, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. 4Give your contributions privately. Your Father sees what you do in private. He will reward you.
Read all of Matthew 6Matthew 6:2 word by word
Ὅταν οὖν ποιῇς ἐλεημοσύνην, μὴ σαλπίσῃς ἔμπροσθέν σου, ὥσπερ οἱ ὑποκριταὶ ποιοῦσιν ἐν ταῖς συναγωγαῖς καὶ ἐν ταῖς ῥύμαις ὅπως δοξασθῶσιν ὑπὸ τῶν ἀνθρώπων. ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν· ἀπέχουσιν τὸν μισθὸν αὐτῶν.Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Thereforeοὖνoun · therefore/thenG3767
- whenὅτανhotan · when(-ever)G3752
- thou doestποιέωpoieō · to do/make: doG4160
- almsἐλεημοσύνηeleēmosunē · charityG1654
- do notμήmē · notG3361
- sound a trumpetσαλπίζωsalpizō · to sound a trumpetG4537
- beforeἔμπροσθενemprosthen · beforeG1715
- theeσύsu · youG4771
- asὥσπερhōsper · just asG5618
- the hypocritesὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- the hypocritesὑποκριτήςhupokritēs · hypocriteG5273
- inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
- the synagoguesσυναγωγήsunagōgē · synagogueG4864
- andκαίkai · andG2532
- the streetsῥύμηrhumē · laneG4505
- thatὅπωςhopōs · thatG3704
- they may have gloryδοξάζωdoxazō · to glorifyG1392
- ofὑπόhupo · by/under: byG5259
- menἄνθρωποςanthrōpos · a humanG444
- Verilyἀμήνamēn · amenG281
- I sayλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
- They haveἀπέχωapechō · to have in fullG568
- theirαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
- rewardμισθόςmisthos · wageG3408
Cross-references for Matthew 6:2
- Job 31:16“If I have refused the requests of the poor or made a widow’s eyes stop ⌞looking for help⌟,
- Psalms 37:21A wicked person borrows, but he does not repay. A righteous person is generous and giving.
- Psalms 112:9He gives freely to poor people. His righteousness continues forever. His head is raised in honor.
- Proverbs 19:17Whoever has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his good deed.
- Ecclesiastes 11:2Divide what you have into seven parts, or even into eight, because you don’t know what disaster may happen on earth.
- Isaiah 58:7Share your food with the hungry, take the poor and homeless into your house, and cover them with clothes when you see ⌞them⌟ naked. Don’t refuse to help your relatives.
- Luke 11:41Give what is inside as a gift to the poor, and then everything will be clean for you.
- Luke 12:33“Sell your material possessions, and give the money to the poor. Make yourselves wallets that don’t wear out! Make a treasure for yourselves in heaven that never loses its value! In heaven thieves and moths can’t get close enough to destroy your treasure.
- John 13:29Judas had the moneybag. So some thought that Jesus was telling him to buy what they needed for the festival or to give something to the poor.
- Acts 9:36A disciple named Tabitha lived in the city of Joppa. Her Greek name was Dorcas. She always helped people and gave things to the poor.
- Acts 10:2He and everyone in his home were devout and respected God. Cornelius gave many gifts to poor Jewish people and always prayed to God.
- Acts 11:29All the disciples in Antioch decided to contribute whatever they could afford to help the believers living in Judea.
- Acts 24:17After many years I have come back to my people and brought gifts for the poor and offerings ⌞for God⌟.
- Romans 12:8If it is encouraging others, devote yourself to giving encouragement. If it is sharing, be generous. If it is leadership, lead enthusiastically. If it is helping people in need, help them cheerfully.
- 2 Corinthians 9:6Remember this: The farmer who plants a few seeds will have a very small harvest. But the farmer who plants because he has received God’s blessings will receive a harvest of God’s blessings in return.
- Galatians 2:10The only thing they asked us to do was to remember the poor, the very thing which I was eager to do.
Commentaries on Matthew 6:2
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 2Therefore when thou doest thine alms - In the first verse the exhortation is general: Take Ye heed. In this verse the address is pointed - and Thou - man - woman - who readest - hearest. Do not sound a trumpet - It is very likely that this was literally practised among the Pharisees, who seemed to live on the public esteem, and were excessively self-righteous and vain. Having something to distribute by way of alms, it is very probable they caused this to…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 2Do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do - The word “hypocrite” is taken from “stage-players,” who act the part of others, or speak not their own sentiments, but the sentiments of others. It means here, and in the New Testament generally, those who “dissemble” or hide their real sentiments, and assume or express other feelings than their own - those who, for purposes of ostentation, gain, or applause, put on the appearance of religion. It…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 2The hypocrites: see study note on Matthew 23:13. a trumpet: they would blow these during important ceremonies, like times of public fasts.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 22. Therefore, when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee--The expression is to be taken figuratively for blazoning it. Hence our expression to "trumpet." as the hypocrites do--This word--of such frequent occurrence in Scripture, signifying primarily "one who acts a part"--denotes one who either pretends to be what he is not (as here), or dissembles what he really is (as in Lu 12:1, 2). in the synagogues and in the streets--the places…Read the comment
Topics related to Matthew 6:2
In the dictionaries
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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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