New International VersionBut now as for what is inside you—be generous to the poor, and everything will be clean for you.
New Living TranslationSo clean the inside by giving gifts to the poor, and you will be clean all over.
English Standard VersionBut give as alms those things that are within, and behold, everything is clean for you.
Berean Standard BibleBut give as alms the things that are within you, and behold, everything will be clean for you.
Berean Literal BibleBut give as alms the things being within, and behold, all things are clean to you.
King James BibleBut rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.
New King James VersionBut rather give alms of such things as you have; then indeed all things are clean to you.
New American Standard BibleBut give that which is within as a charitable gift, and then all things are clean for you.
NASB 1995“But give that which is within as charity, and then all things are clean for you.
NASB 1977“But give that which is within as charity, and then all things are clean for you.
Legacy Standard BibleBut give that which is within as charity, and then all things are clean for you.
Amplified BibleBut give that which is within as charity [that is, acts of mercy and compassion, not as a public display, but as an expression of your faithfulness to God], and then indeed all things are clean for you.
Christian Standard BibleBut give from what is within to the poor, and then everything is clean for you.
Holman Christian Standard BibleBut give from what is within to the poor, and then everything is clean for you.
American Standard VersionBut give for alms those things which are within; and behold, all things are clean unto you.
Contemporary English VersionIf you would only give what you have to the poor, everything you do would please God.
English Revised VersionHowbeit give for alms those things which are within; and behold, all things are clean unto you.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationGive what is inside as a gift to the poor, and then everything will be clean for you.
Good News TranslationBut give what is in your cups and plates to the poor, and everything will be ritually clean for you.
International Standard VersionSo give what is inside to the poor, and then everything will be clean for you.
NET BibleBut give from your heart to those in need, and then everything will be clean for you.
New Heart English BibleBut give for gifts to the needy those things which are within, and see, all things will be clean to you.
Webster's Bible TranslationBut rather give alms of such things as ye have; and behold, all things are clean to you.
Weymouth New TestamentBut as to what is within, give alms, and instantly all is clean in you. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleBut give as alms the things that are within you, and behold, everything will be clean for you.
World English BibleBut give for gifts to the needy those things which are within, and behold, all things will be clean to you. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionBut what you have given [as] alms, and behold, all things are clean to you.
Berean Literal BibleBut give as alms the things being within, and behold, all things are clean to you.
Young's Literal Translation But what ye have give ye as alms, and, lo, all things are clean to you.
Smith's Literal TranslationBut of the things being, give alms; and, behold, all things are clean to you. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBut yet that which remaineth, give alms; and behold, all things are clean unto you.
Catholic Public Domain VersionYet truly, give what is above as alms, and behold, all things are clean for you.
New American BibleBut as to what is within, give alms, and behold, everything will be clean for you.
New Revised Standard VersionSo give for alms those things that are within; and see, everything will be clean for you. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBut give alms of what you have; and, behold, everything will be clean to you.
Aramaic Bible in Plain English“However, give whatever you have in charity and behold, everything is pure to you.” NT Translations Anderson New TestamentBut give as charity the contents of the cup, and behold, all things are clean for you.
Godbey New Testament
Therefore give alms of your substance; and behold all things are pure unto you.
Haweis New Testament
But give what is within them for alms; and, lo! all will be pure unto you.
Mace New Testament
be but charitable to the utmost of your ability, and every thing will be pure to you.
Weymouth New Testament
But as to what is within, give alms, and instantly all is clean in you.
Worrell New Testament
But give as alms the things within; and, behold, all things are clean to you.
Worsley New Testament
and behold allthings are clean to you.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Woes to Religious Leaders… 40You fools! Did not the One who made the outside make the inside as well? 41Butgiveas almsthe things thatare within you,andyou will seethat everythingiscleanfor you.42Woe to you Pharisees! You pay tithes of mint, rue, and every herb, but you disregard justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without neglecting the former.…
Cross References Matthew 23:25-26Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. / Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, so that the outside may become clean as well.
Mark 7:6-8Jesus answered them, “Isaiah prophesied correctly about you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. / They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’ / You have disregarded the commandment of God to keep the tradition of men.”
Matthew 5:8Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
1 Samuel 16:7But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.”
Isaiah 58:6-7Isn’t this the fast that I have chosen: to break the chains of wickedness, to untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and tear off every yoke? / Isn’t it to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your home, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
Proverbs 21:3To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice.
Micah 6:8He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?
Matthew 6:1-4“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. / 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. / But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, ...
1 John 3:17-18If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him? / Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth.
James 1:27Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
2 Corinthians 9:7Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.
Matthew 15:11A man is not defiled by what enters his mouth, but by what comes out of it.”
Romans 12:1-2Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. / Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
Hebrews 13:16And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
Amos 5:21-24“I hate, I despise your feasts! I cannot stand the stench of your solemn assemblies. / Even though you offer Me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; for your peace offerings of fattened cattle I will have no regard. / Take away from Me the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. ...
Treasury of Scripture But rather give alms of such things as you have; and, behold, all things are clean to you. rather. Luke 12:33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. Luke 14:12-14 Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, northy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee… Luke 16:9 And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations. of such things as ye have. Acts 10:15 And the voicespake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed,that call not thou common. Romans 14:14-18 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, thatthere is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to himit is unclean… 1 Timothy 4:4,5 For every creature of Godis good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: … Jump to Previous AbleAlmsCharityCleanDishGiftsInsideInstantlyNeedyPoorRatherWithinJump to Next AbleAlmsCharityCleanDishGiftsInsideInstantlyNeedyPoorRatherWithinLuke 11 1.Jesus teaches us to pray, and that instantly;11.assuring us that God will give all good things to those who ask him.14.He, casting out a demon, rebukes the blasphemous Pharisees;27.and shows who are blessed;29.preaches to the people;37.and reprimands the outward show of holiness.But give as alms the things that are within youThis phrase emphasizes the importance of inner purity and sincerity over mere external compliance with religious rituals. In the context of Luke 11, Jesus is addressing the Pharisees, who were known for their strict adherence to the law but often neglected the weightier matters of justice and mercy. The concept of "alms" traditionally refers to charitable giving, but here it is metaphorically applied to the inner qualities of the heart. This aligns with the teachings found in 1 Samuel 16:7, where God looks at the heart rather than outward appearances. The call to give from within suggests a transformation that begins internally, reflecting the new covenant promise of a heart changed by the Spirit ( Ezekiel 36:26-27). and behold, everything will be clean for you
This statement underscores the biblical principle that true cleanliness or purity is a matter of the heart. In Jewish culture, ceremonial cleanliness was a significant aspect of religious life, with numerous laws governing what was considered clean or unclean. Jesus challenges this by asserting that inner purity leads to true cleanliness. This teaching is consistent with passages likeMatthew 23:25-26, where Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for cleaning the outside of the cup while neglecting the inside. The promise of being "clean" for those who give from within points to the transformative power of genuine repentance and faith, which aligns with the broader biblical narrative of redemption and sanctification through Christ. Persons / Places / Events 1. Jesus ChristThe speaker of this verse, addressing the Pharisees and religious leaders, challenging their understanding of purity and righteousness. 2. PhariseesA religious group in Judaism known for strict adherence to the Law and traditions, often criticized by Jesus for their hypocrisy. 3. AlmsgivingThe act of giving to the poor, which in this context, Jesus uses metaphorically to refer to giving from the heart. Teaching Points Inner Purity Over Outward RitualsJesus emphasizes the importance of inner purity and sincerity over mere outward religious rituals. True cleanliness comes from a heart aligned with God's will. Generosity as a Reflection of the HeartGiving should be a reflection of one's inner character and love for God and others. It is not just about the act but the heart behind it. Hypocrisy in Religious PracticesJesus warns against the hypocrisy of appearing righteous outwardly while harboring impurity within. True faith is consistent both inside and out. Transformation from WithinSpiritual transformation begins in the heart. When the heart is right with God, actions will naturally follow in alignment with His will. Practical AlmsgivingWhile Jesus uses almsgiving metaphorically, practical generosity remains a vital expression of faith, demonstrating love and compassion to those in need. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Luke 11:41?
2.How does Luke 11:41 encourage generosity as a form of spiritual cleanliness?
3.What does "give as alms" in Luke 11:41 teach about true righteousness?
4.How can Luke 11:41 guide us in prioritizing inner purity over outward appearance?
5.Which other scriptures emphasize the importance of giving and inner purity?
6.How can we apply the principle of giving in Luke 11:41 today?
7.What does Luke 11:41 mean by "give as alms the things that are within"?
8.How does Luke 11:41 challenge the concept of external versus internal purity?
9.What historical context influences the interpretation of Luke 11:41?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Luke 11?
11.Why did Jesus weep?
12.What does the Bible say about God versus Satan?
13.Why does Mary Magdalene initially fail to recognize Jesus (John 20:14-15), and how do differing Gospel accounts explain or contradict this moment?
14.Were dinosaurs excluded from Noah's Ark?What Does Luke 11:41 Mean ButJesus pivots from His critique of outward religion to a radical alternative. ThroughoutLuke 11 He has exposed the Pharisees for polishing “the outside of the cup” while leaving the inside filthy (Luke 11:39–40). With the conjunction “But,” He contrasts hollow ritual with genuine devotion. Scripture repeatedly sets these two paths side by side—think of1 Samuel 15:22, where Samuel asks, “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD?”. The Lord desires heart reality over external show.
give as almsAlmsgiving was a celebrated act of piety in first-century Judaism, yet Jesus redirects it. He is not condemning charitable gifts (Proverbs 19:17;Acts 10:2) but redefining what truly counts as charity. InMatthew 6:1–4 He warns that public giving can become a performance; here He invites a generosity that flows from a cleansed heart. The command reaches beyond money—“alms” become a metaphor for any self-giving act offered to God.
the things that are within youThis phrase targets the inner life—motives, attitudes, affections.Psalm 51:6 declares, “Surely You desire truth in the inmost being”. Jesus wants us to surrender the hidden chambers that no one else sees. When we yield pride, bitterness, and self-righteousness, we are presenting the most valuable “offering” we possess (Romans 12:1). Such inward surrender spills outward in genuine acts of mercy (Micah 6:8;1 John 3:17).
and behold“Behold” invites careful attention to the promised outcome. Whenever Scripture uses this word, it signals something worth pausing over (John 1:29;Revelation 21:5). Jesus wants His listeners to marvel at the transformation that follows authentic, inside-out generosity.
everything will be clean for youThe promise is comprehensive: when the heart is yielded, “everything” becomes clean. This echoesTitus 1:15, “To the pure, all things are pure”. Cleansing here is both moral and relational—right standing before God and right practice before people. It does not negate the need for Christ’s atoning blood (1 John 1:7); rather, it affirms that inward surrender is evidence that one has been truly washed. Outward rituals cannot purify a corrupt heart (Matthew 23:25–26), but an inwardly transformed person will naturally live a life God counts as clean.
summaryLuke 11:41 teaches that true purity starts in the heart. Jesus calls us to give Him our hidden motives and affections as the real “alms.” When we surrender the inside, authentic generosity and practical holiness flow outside, and God pronounces every aspect of life clean. (41) But rather give alms of such things as ye have.--This, too, is peculiar to St. Luke. In the underlying principle of its teaching it sweeps away the whole fabric of the law of ceremonial purity, as the words of St. Matthew 15:10-20 had, on different grounds, done before. The distinction between the two phases of the truth is that here greater stress is laid on the active purifying power of the love of which alms, if not given for the sake of man's praise, is the natural expression. That which defiles is selfishness; that which purifies is the unselfishness of love. Verse 41. - But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you. The translation here should run, but rather give the things that are in them as alms, etc. The thought of the contents of these cups and dishes - a thought which came out, as we have seen, so prominently in St. Matthew - here is evidently in the Lord's mind. "Ah!" he seems to say, "what you Pharisees and your schools of formalism indeed want is the knowledge of that great law of love" (the law Jesus was ever teaching in such parables, for instance, as that of the good Samaritan). "I will tell you how really to purify, in the eyes of God, these cups and dishes of yours. Share their contents with your poorer neighbors." "Let them do one single loving, unselfish act, not for the sake of the action itself, not for any merit inherent in it; but out of pure good will towards others, and their whole inward condition would be different" (Bishop Basil Jones, in the 'Speaker's Commentary').
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek Butπλὴν(plēn)Conjunction
Strong's 4133:However, nevertheless, but, except that, yet. From pleion; moreover, i.e. Albeit, save that, rather, yet.giveδότε(dote)Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 1325:To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give.[as] almsἐλεημοσύνην(eleēmosynēn)Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1654:Abstr: alms-giving, charity; concr: alms, charity. From eleos; compassionateness, i.e. beneficence, or a benefaction.the things thatτὰ(ta)Article - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.are within [you],ἐνόντα(enonta)Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 1751:To be in, within. From ennomos and eimi; to be within.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.you will seeἰδοὺ(idou)Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 2400:See! Lo! Behold! Look! Second person singular imperative middle voice of eido; used as imperative lo![that] everythingπάντα(panta)Adjective - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3956:All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.isἐστιν(estin)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510:I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.cleanκαθαρὰ(kathara)Adjective - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 2513:Clean.for you.ὑμῖν(hymin)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771:You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.
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NT Gospels: Luke 11:41 But give for gifts to the needy (Luke Lu Lk) |
