Matthew 6:2

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

“Therefore, when you give money to help poor people, do not blow a trumpet in front of you [i.e., to call attention to it] as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and streets. They do this in order to win praise from people. It is true when I say to you; they have [already] received their reward.

Cross References

Matthew 15:7

You hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied accurately about you, saying [Isa. 29:13],

Matthew 16:3

And when the sky is reddish and overcast in the morning, you predict [that it will be] bad weather that day. You know how to interpret [weather] conditions from the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times [i.e., what will happen in the spiritual realm]”.

Matthew 22:18

But Jesus perceived their wicked intention and said, “Why are you putting me to a test, you hypocrites?

Matthew 23:5

But they do all their deeds just to be seen by people. They wear elaborate Scripture texts displayed on their clothing and enlarge [conspicuously] the fringes of their robes.

Matthew 23:6

They love to recline at the head place at dinner tables [Note: This referred to the practice of lying down on their left side on a couch next to the dinner table, and leaning on their left elbow, while eating with their right hand], and to occupy the principal seats in the synagogues.

Matthew 24:51

And [that master] will whip him to shreds and will turn him over to suffer the same fate as hypocrites do. That fate will involve crying and excruciating pain.”

Matthew 5:18

For it is true when I say, not one little letter or even a portion of a letter will be removed from the Law of Moses until everything is accomplished [that is required by them]. [When that happens, then] heaven and earth will pass away [i.e., be destroyed. See II Peter 3:12].

Matthew 6:16

“In addition, when you fast [i.e., go without food and/or drink for religious reasons], do not be like the hypocrites with long faces; for they go around with gloomy expressions on their faces in order to advertise that they are fasting. It is true when I say to you; these people have [already] received their reward.

Matthew 6:3

But when you give money to help poor people, do not allow your left hand to know what your right hand is doing [i.e., do it inconspicuously]

Matthew 6:5

“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners [i.e., in prominent view of everyone] in order to be seen [and praised] by people.

Matthew 7:5

You hypocrite, take the board out of your own eye first; and then you will be able to see clearly enough to take the speck of sawdust out of your brother’s eye.

Mark 12:39

and to occupy the principal seats in the synagogues and the head places at dinner tables.

Mark 7:6

And He answered them, “Isaiah prophesied about you hypocrites very well when he wrote [Isa. 29:13], ‘These people honor me with their lips [i.e., by what they say], but their heart is far from [honoring] me.

Luke 11:41

But you should give to poor people what you have inside. [Note: This means either what is inside the dish or what is inside your heart]. And [then] you will see that everything is [ceremonially] clean to you [as well].

Luke 11:43

“It is too bad for you Pharisees! For you love [to occupy] the principal seats in the synagogues and [to receive special] greetings in the open shopping markets.

Luke 12:33

Sell your possessions and give [the money] to poor people; provide yourselves with money belts that do not wear out [i.e., from the constant use of carrying much money all the time, instead of investing it in others’ needs]. [Then you will possess] an inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where no thief can approach, nor moth destroy.

Luke 12:56

You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky, but why do you not know how to interpret [events of] this present time?

Luke 13:15

But the Lord answered them, “You hypocrites! Does not every one of you untie his ox or his donkey from its stall and lead it to water on the Sabbath day?

Luke 20:46

“Look out for the experts in the Law of Moses, who like to walk [around] in long [flowing] robes and love the special greetings they receive at the open shopping markets, and the principal seats in the synagogues, and the head places at dinner tables.

Luke 6:24

But it is too bad for you rich people because you have [already] received [all] the comforts [you are going to get].

Luke 6:42

Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take that speck of sawdust out of your eye,’ when you cannot see the board in your own eye? You hypocrite, take the board out of your own eye first; then you will be able to see clearly enough to take out the speck of sawdust that is in your brother’s eye.

John 13:29

For some of them thought, since Judas was in charge of the [money] bag, that Jesus was telling him, “Buy whatever we need for the [Passover] meal,” or that he was [being told] to give [money] to poor people [from it].

John 5:41

“I do not accept honor from mankind,

John 5:44

How can you believe [in me] when you [offer and] accept honors from one another, but do not try to obtain the honor that comes from the only God?

John 7:18

The person who speaks on his own authority is [just] trying to gain honor for himself. But the One who tries to gain honor from God, who sent Him, is [committed to] truth, and there is nothing false in His heart.

Acts 10:2

He was very devoted [to his religious principles] and had great respect for God, along with the members of his household. He gave [money] liberally to poor people and prayed to God regularly.

Acts 10:31

He said to me, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and God has taken account of your giving money to poor people.

Acts 10:4

As he stared at [the angel] in fright, he asked, “What is it, Lord?” [Note: The word “Lord” here could also be translated “Sir,” and its correct rendering depends on whether or not Cornelius understood the angel to be from God]. And the angel replied, “Your [continual] prayers and [generous] gifts to poor people have not gone unnoticed before God.

Acts 11:29

[In response to this prediction], the disciples decided to send as much relief as they could to help the brothers living in Judea.

Acts 24:17

“Now after several years I came [to Jerusalem] to bring relief for the poor people of my nation and to present my offerings.

Acts 9:36

Now at Joppa [Note: This was also a town on the west coast of Palestine, today called “Jaffa,” and is now a part of Tel Aviv] there was a certain disciple named Tabitha (she was also called Dorcas, which means “Gazelle”). She practiced many good deeds and always gave money to poor people.

Romans 12:8

Or, if our gift is encouraging others, we should devote ourselves to encouraging. Or, if our gift is sharing with others, we should do so generously. Or, if our gift is leading others, we should do so diligently. Or, if our gift is showing caring concern for others, we should do it cheerfully.

1 Corinthians 13:3

And if I donate all my possessions to feed poor people, and if I surrender my body to be burned [Note: This probably refers to becoming a martyr, but some manuscripts read, “that I may be able to boast”], but do not have love [for people], it is no benefit to me.

Galatians 2:10

The only thing that they encouraged us to do was to remember [the needs of] poor people, which I was very eager to do. [See Acts 24:17].

Ephesians 4:28

The person who has stolen must stop doing it; instead, he should work hard, doing something worthwhile with his own hands, so that he can have [money] to share with the person who needs it.

1 Thessalonians 2:6

[And] we were not looking for honor from people, either from you or from anyone else, even though, as apostles of Christ, we could have become a burden [to you]. [Note: The idea seems to be that the apostles could have claimed financial support, but chose not to].

1 Timothy 6:18

[Urge them] to do what is good, to be rich in [the practice of] good deeds, to be generous and willing to share [with others].

Philemon 1:7

For I have much joy and encouragement from [observing] your love, because you have cheered the hearts of the saints [i.e., God’s holy people], brother.

Hebrews 13:16

But do not forget to do good deeds and share [with others], for God is very pleased with such “sacrifices.”

1 Peter 4:11

If someone’s gift is speaking, he should [be sure to] say only what God wants him to. If a person’s gift is serving, he should do so by the strength provided by God [who supplies all such gifts]. This is so that, in using all gifts, God may be honored through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs honor and power forever and ever. May it be so.