New Living Translation
Matthew 6:2
2When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get.
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“Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. 3But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. 4Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, 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“Have I refused to help the poor, or crushed the hopes of widows?
- Psalms 37:21The wicked borrow and never repay, but the godly are generous givers.
- Psalms 112:9They share freely and give generously to those in need. Their good deeds will be remembered forever. They will have influence and honor.
- Proverbs 19:17If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord— and he will repay you!
- Ecclesiastes 11:2But divide your investments among many places, for you do not know what risks might lie ahead.
- Isaiah 58:7Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.
- Luke 11:41So clean the inside by giving gifts to the poor, and you will be clean all over.
- Luke 12:33“Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it.
- John 13:29Since Judas was their treasurer, some thought Jesus was telling him to go and pay for the food or to give some money to the poor.
- Acts 9:36There was a believer in Joppa named Tabitha (which in Greek is Dorcas). She was always doing kind things for others and helping the poor.
- Acts 10:2He was a devout, God-fearing man, as was everyone in his household. He gave generously to the poor and prayed regularly to God.
- Acts 11:29So the believers in Antioch decided to send relief to the brothers and sisters in Judea, everyone giving as much as they could.
- Acts 24:17“After several years away, I returned to Jerusalem with money to aid my people and to offer sacrifices to God.
- Romans 12:8If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
- 2 Corinthians 9:6Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.
- Galatians 2:10Their only suggestion was that we keep on helping the poor, which I have always been 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
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