Matthew 6:2 Meaning and Explanation
“Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Charity meant to draw attention is play-acting; those who give for applause receive that applause in full and nothing more.
What Does Matthew 6:2 Mean?
Almsgiving was a central act of devotion, and Jesus pictures the temptation that shadows it: making a spectacle of generosity, as if announcing it with a fanfare. The synagogue and the street are named because these are the places where many eyes gather, where a gift can be turned into a performance.
The word translated 'hypocrites' came from the stage -- an actor wearing a mask. To give for show is to perform a part rather than to love a neighbor. Such givers do receive something: the admiration they were after, paid in full and exhausted on the spot. Jesus calls us instead to a quieter generosity, where the relief of the poor is the aim and the Father's notice is the reward.
Matthew 6:2 in the Original Language
hypokrites (ὑποκριτής), 'hypocrite' -- a stage-actor who plays a part behind a mask.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 6:2
What does Matthew 6:2 mean?
Charity meant to draw attention is play-acting; those who give for applause receive that applause in full and nothing more.