Matthew 5:24 Meaning and Explanation
“Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jesus says to leave your offering, first be reconciled, and then return to worship.
What Does Matthew 5:24 Mean?
Jesus gives a remarkable instruction: leave the gift at the altar, go and be reconciled, and only then return to offer it. The worship can wait; the reconciliation cannot.
This reveals how highly God values restored relationships. He would rather we mend a broken bond than complete a religious act with an unreconciled heart. Reconciliation is not optional or secondary -- it is the very thing that prepares us to draw near. The God who reconciles us to himself calls us to be peacemakers with one another, and our worship is made whole when our relationships are made right.
Matthew 5:24 in the Original Language
diallasso (διαλλάσσω), 'be reconciled' -- to restore a broken relationship and exchange enmity for peace.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 5:24
What does Matthew 5:24 mean?
Jesus says to leave your offering, first be reconciled, and then return to worship.