Bible Strands
Matthew 5:23
So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you,
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses his disciples during the Sermon on the Mount, immediately following his teaching on anger and contempt toward a brother.
The words — The Greek terms προσφέρῃς (prospherēs, "you shall offer") and δῶρον (dōron, "gift") describe the act of presenting a sacrifice at the altar.
The thread — This directive parallels the reconciliation requirement in Matthew 5:24 and the forgiveness mandate when praying in Mark 11:25.
Why it lands — The text commands immediate interruption of worship to resolve interpersonal conflict before resuming religious duty.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
Cross-references
- Mark 11:25 And when you stand to pray, if you hold anything against another, forgive it, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your trespasses as well.”
- Leviticus 6:2 “If someone sins and acts unfaithfully against the LORD by deceiving his neighbor in regard to a deposit or security entrusted to him or stolen, or if he extorts his neighbor
- Matthew 5:24 leave your gift there before the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.
- Matthew 23:19 You blind men! Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes it sacred?
- 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.”
- Luke 19:8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, half of my possessions I give to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone, I will repay it fourfold.”
- 1 Samuel 15:22 But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams.
- Hosea 6:6 For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
- Lamentations 3:20 Surely my soul remembers and is humbled within me.
- Amos 5:21 “I hate, I despise your feasts! I cannot stand the stench of your solemn assemblies.