But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
Parallel translations
- WEB But when you do merciful deeds, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand does,
- BSB But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
- NKJV But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
- NASB But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
- NLT But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
When you give, don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. It calls for giving so unselfconscious that it seeks no notice.
Overview
With a vivid image, Jesus urges a generosity so free of self-display that one hardly takes account of it oneself. Giving is to be quiet and sincere, directed to God's eyes alone. Such humble charity reflects a heart transformed by grace rather than craving recognition.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 5
- John 7:4For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world.
- Matt 9:30And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it.
- Mark 1:44And saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.
- Matt 12:19He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.
- Matt 8:4And 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.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Matthew presents Jesus as the promised King — son of David, son of Abraham — the new Moses and true Israel in whom every prophecy reaches 'that it might be fulfilled.'
How Matthew 6:3 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.