Matthew 6:3 BSB — MannaFest

Matthew 6:3

But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,

BSB

Parallel translations (2) ▾

ASV

But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:

KJV

But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:

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Commentary

3 voices

John Gill

1697–1771

Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748)

But when thou dost alms,.... Do it so privately, and with so much secrecy, that, if it was possible, thou mightest not know it thyself, much less make it known to others: let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doth; acquaint not thy nearest and dearest friend with it; let not one that sits at thy left hand know what thou art doing with thy right hand; it is a proverbial and hyperbolical phrase, expressing the secrecy of the action.

The record, by era

The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

Self-conceit and self-complacency, and an adoring of our own shadow, are branches of pride, as dangerous as vain-glory and ostentation before men. We find those had their good works remembered to their honour, who had themselves forgotten them: When saw we thee an hungered, or athirst? What is the promise to those who are thus sincere and humble in their alms-giving.

The Nineteenth Century1 voice

Albert Barnes

1798–1870

Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)

Let not thy left hand know ... - This is a proverbial expression, signifying that the action should be done as secretly as possible. The Hebrews often attribute actions to members which properly belong to persons. The encouragement for performing our acts of charity in secret is that it will be pleasing to God; that he will see the act, however secret it may be, and will openly reward it. If the reward is not granted in this life, it will be in the life to come.

Voices on this verse

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Original language & word study

14 tagged words

Original	Transliteration	Meaning	Word study
σοῦ	sou	You	G4771 →
δὲ	de	however	G1161 →
ποιοῦντος	poiountos	doing	G4160 →
ἐλεημοσύνην	eleēmosunēn	charity	G1654 →
μὴ	mē	not	G3361 →
γνώτω	gnōtō	should know	G1097 →
ἡ	hē	the	G3588 →
ἀριστερά	aristera	left [hand]	G710 →
σου	sou	of you	G4771 →
τί	ti	what	G5101 →
ποιεῖ	poiei	is doing	G4160 →
ἡ	hē	the	G3588 →
δεξιά	dexia	right [hand]	G1188 →
σου	sou	of you	G4771 →

Rare words are the text's own signal of a deliberate thread: the fewer the occurrences, the more the places it appears belong together.

The walk

The walk8

Where the connections lead

Follow this verse’s cross-references two steps out. Each card is a verse this one points to, and beneath it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several different paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it. Every stop shows its own words, and every stop is a page.

Through
Matthew 8:4
Then Jesus instructed him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift prescribed by Moses, as a testimony to them.”
leads to
- Leviticus 14:2–32
  “This is the law for the one afflicted with a skin disease on the day of his cleansing, when he is brought to the priest.
- Luke 5:14
  “Do not tell anyone,” Jesus instructed him. “But go, show yourself to the priest and present the offering Moses prescribed for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.”
  Reached by 3 independent paths from here.
- Luke 17:14
  When Jesus saw them, He said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they were on their way, they were cleansed.
  Reached by 2 independent paths from here.
- Mark 7:36
  Jesus ordered them not to tell anyone. But the more He ordered them, the more widely they proclaimed it.
- Leviticus 13:2–46
  “When someone has a swelling or rash or bright spot on his skin that could become an infectious skin disease, he must be brought to Aaron the priest or to one of his sons…
Through
Mark 1:44
“See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and present the offering Moses prescribed for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.”
leads to
- Leviticus 14:1–32
  Then the LORD said to Moses,
- Matthew 8:4
  Then Jesus instructed him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift prescribed by Moses, as a testimony to them.”
  Reached by 2 independent paths from here.
Through
John 7:4
For no one who wants to be known publicly acts in secret. Since You are doing these things, show Yourself to the world.”
leads to
- John 18:20
  “I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus answered. “I always taught in the synagogues and at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret.