New International VersionBut when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
New Living TranslationBut when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.
English Standard VersionBut when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
Berean Standard BibleBut when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
Berean Literal BibleBut you, doing acts of charity, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
King James BibleBut when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
New King James VersionBut when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
New American Standard BibleBut when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
NASB 1995“But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
NASB 1977“But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing
Legacy Standard BibleBut when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
Amplified BibleBut 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],
Christian Standard BibleBut when you give to the poor, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
Holman Christian Standard BibleBut when you give to the poor, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
American Standard VersionBut when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
Contemporary English VersionWhen you give to the poor, don't let anyone know about it.
English Revised VersionBut when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
GOD'S WORD® TranslationWhen you give to the poor, don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.
Good News TranslationBut when you help a needy person, do it in such a way that even your closest friend will not know about it.
International Standard VersionBut when you give to the poor, don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
NET BibleBut when you do your giving, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
New Heart English BibleBut when you practice charitable giving, do not let your left hand know what your right hand does,
Webster's Bible TranslationBut when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
Weymouth New TestamentBut when you are giving in charity, let not your left hand perceive what your right hand is doing, Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleBut when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
World English BibleBut when you do merciful deeds, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand does, Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionBut you, doing kindness, do not let your left hand know what your right hand does,
Berean Literal BibleBut you, doing acts of charity, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
Young's Literal Translation 'But thou, doing kindness, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doth,
Smith's Literal TranslationBut thou doing alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right does: Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBut when thou dost alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doth.
Catholic Public Domain VersionBut when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
New American BibleBut when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing,
New Revised Standard VersionBut when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBut when you give alms, let not your left hand know what your right hand is doing;
Aramaic Bible in Plain EnglishBut you, whenever you do charity giving, let not your left know what your right is doing. NT Translations Anderson New TestamentBut when you do a charitable deed, let not your left hand know what your right hand does;
Godbey New TestamentBut thou doing alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
Haweis New Testament
But when thou givest alms, let not thy right hand know what thy left is doing:
Mace New Testament
but when you give alms, "let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doth:"
Weymouth New Testament
But when you are giving in charity, let not your left hand perceive what your right hand is doing,
Worrell New Testament
But, when you are doing alms, let not your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
Worsley New Testament
But when thou givest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doth:
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Giving to the Needy… 2So 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. 3But whenyougive to the needy,do not letyourleft handknowwhatyourright handis doing,4so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.…
Cross References Matthew 5:16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 23:5All their deeds are done for men to see. They broaden their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.
Luke 14:12-14Then Jesus said to the man who had invited Him, “When you host a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or brothers or relatives or rich neighbors. Otherwise, they may invite you in return, and you will be repaid. / But when you host a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind, / and you will be blessed. Since they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
Luke 18:10-14“Two men went up to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. / The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—swindlers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. / I fast twice a week and pay tithes of all that I acquire.’ ...
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.
Galatians 6:9-10Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. / Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.
James 2:14-17What good is it, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith, but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? / Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. / If one of you tells him, “Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,” but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that? ...
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.
Acts 10:2-4He and all his household were devout and God-fearing. He gave generously to the people and prayed to God regularly. / One day at about the ninth hour, he had a clear vision of an angel of God who came to him and said, “Cornelius!” / Cornelius stared at him in fear and asked, “What is it, Lord?” The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have ascended as a memorial offering before God.
Romans 12:8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is giving, let him give generously; if it is leading, let him lead with diligence; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
1 Corinthians 13:3If I give all I possess to the poor and exult in the surrender of my body, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Philippians 2:3-4Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. / Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Proverbs 19:17Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.
Proverbs 21:26All day long he covets more, but the righteous give without restraint.
Proverbs 25:21-22If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. / For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
Treasury of Scripture But when you do alms, let not your left hand know what your right hand does: let. Matthew 8:4 And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them. Matthew 9:30 And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, Seethat no man knowit. Matthew 12:19 He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. Jump to Previous AlmsCharityDeedsHandKindnessMercifulMoneyNeedyPerceivePoorRightThouJump to Next AlmsCharityDeedsHandKindnessMercifulMoneyNeedyPerceivePoorRightThouMatthew 6 1.Giving to the Needy5.The Lord's Prayer16.Proper Fasting19.Store up Treasures in Heaven25.Do Not Worry33.but seek God's kingdom.But when you give to the needyThis phrase emphasizes the expectation of giving as a regular practice for believers. The act of giving to the needy is deeply rooted in Jewish tradition, as seen in Deuteronomy 15:11, which commands generosity towards the poor. The early church continued this practice, as evidenced in Acts 2:44-45, where believers shared their possessions with those in need. The phrase implies a personal responsibility to care for the less fortunate, reflecting God's heart for justice and mercy. do not let your left hand know
This metaphorical expression suggests a level of secrecy and humility in giving. In the cultural context of the time, public acts of charity were often performed to gain social status or religious merit. Jesus challenges this by advocating for a discreet approach, aligning with the wisdom literature inProverbs 21:14, which speaks of the value of secret gifts. The imagery of the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing underscores the importance of sincerity and selflessness in charitable acts. what your right hand is doing
The right hand is often associated with strength and action in biblical texts, such as inExodus 15:6, where God's right hand is described as glorious in power. In this context, it represents the act of giving itself. The instruction to keep the left hand unaware of the right hand's actions highlights the need for internal purity and the avoidance of self-congratulation. This teaching aligns with the broader biblical theme of humility, as seen inPhilippians 2:3, which calls believers to consider others more significant than themselves. Persons / Places / Events 1. Jesus ChristThe speaker of this verse, delivering the Sermon on the Mount, which is a foundational teaching of Christian ethics and spirituality. 2. The DisciplesThe primary audience of Jesus' teachings, representing all followers of Christ who seek to live according to His instructions. 3. The NeedyThe recipients of the almsgiving, representing those in society who require assistance and support. 4. The Sermon on the MountThe setting of this teaching, a collection of Jesus' teachings found in Matthew chapters 5-7, addressing various aspects of righteous living. 5. The Jewish Religious ContextThe cultural and religious backdrop, where acts of charity were often performed publicly for recognition. Teaching Points Sincere GenerosityThe focus of giving should be on the needs of others, not on gaining recognition or praise. Our motivation should be love and compassion. Humility in ServiceTrue humility involves serving others without seeking acknowledgment. This reflects the character of Christ, who served selflessly. Trust in God's RewardTrust that God sees and rewards acts of kindness done in secret. Our focus should be on pleasing God rather than people. Guarding Against PrideBe vigilant against the temptation to use good deeds as a means of self-promotion. Pride can undermine the spiritual value of our actions. Cultivating a Generous HeartRegularly examine your heart and motives in giving. Seek to cultivate a spirit of generosity that reflects God's love and grace. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Matthew 6:3?
2.How can we practice giving without seeking recognition, as Matthew 6:3 advises?
3.Why is it important to give in secret according to Matthew 6:3?
4.How does Matthew 6:3 connect with Proverbs 19:17 about giving to the poor?
5.What steps can you take to ensure your giving remains private and humble?
6.How does Matthew 6:3 challenge modern practices of publicizing charitable acts?
7.What does Matthew 6:3 mean by "do not let your left hand know"?
8.How does Matthew 6:3 challenge the concept of public charity?
9.Why is secrecy emphasized in giving according to Matthew 6:3?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Matthew 6?
11.How can you give without seeking recognition?
12.Is keeping secrets aligned with biblical teachings?
13.What does the Bible say about charitable giving?
14.How can you give generously without expecting anything back?What Does Matthew 6:3 Mean But when you give to the needy– The wording assumes generosity is normal for a disciple. Jesus speaks of “when,” not “if.” – Giving reflects God’s own heart (Deuteronomy 15:7-8;Proverbs 19:17;Acts 20:35). – It is an act of worship, not mere philanthropy (2 Corinthians 9:7;Matthew 25:35-40). – Love for God shows itself in practical love for people (1 John 3:17-18).
do not let your left hand know– The image pictures such quiet giving that even the giver quickly forgets it. – It protects the soul from pride (Matthew 6:1;Proverbs 27:2). – Hidden generosity guards fellowship with God; public display seeks praise from others (Luke 18:9-14;Jeremiah 9:23-24). – Giving in secret trains the heart to seek the Father’s reward alone (Matthew 6:4).
what your right hand is doing– The “right hand” suggests the active, dominant hand; even its good work is kept discreet. – Publicity can empty an act of its eternal value (1 Corinthians 13:3). – God sees every quiet deed (Hebrews 4:13;2 Corinthians 5:10). – Serving for His approval frees us from chasing human applause (Colossians 3:23-24;Ephesians 6:6-7).
summaryMatthew 6:3 calls believers to ordinary, intentional, and completely unselfconscious generosity. Give because the Father gives, guard the heart from pride by staying quiet about it, and trust that the only eyes that need to notice already have. (3) Let not thy left hand know.--The phrase was probably proverbial, and indicates, in the form of free hyperbole, extremest secrecy. It is possible that there may be some reference to the practice of using the right hand in offering gifts at the altar. The symbolical application, though an afterthought, is yet suggestive. The "right hand" is the higher spiritual element in us that leads to acts of true charity, the "left" is the baser, self-seeking nature. We ought, as it were, to set a barrier between the two, as far as possible, i.e., to exclude that mingling of motives, which is at least the beginning of evil. Verse 3. - But when thou; " thou" emphatic. Let not thy left hand know, etc. So little effect should thy kind action have upon thy memory. There should be no self-consciousness in it.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek But [when]δὲ(de)Conjunction
Strong's 1161:A primary particle; but, and, etc.youσοῦ(sou)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771:You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.give to the needy,ποιοῦντος(poiountos)Verb - Present Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 4160:(a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.{do} not {let}μὴ(mē)Adverb
Strong's 3361:Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.yourσου(sou)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771:You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.left [hand]ἀριστερά(aristera)Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 710:On the left hand. Apparently a comparative of the same as ariston; the left hand.knowγνώτω(gnōtō)Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1097:A prolonged form of a primary verb; to 'know' in a great variety of applications and with many implications.whatτί(ti)Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5101:Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.yourσου(sou)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771:You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.right handδεξιά(dexia)Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1188:On the right hand, right hand, right. From dechomai; the right side or hand.is doing,ποιεῖ(poiei)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4160:(a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.
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NT Gospels: Matthew 6:3 But when you do merciful deeds don't (Matt. Mat Mt) |
