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Matthew 5:23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you,
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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/matthew/5.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter"> (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/matthew/5.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/matthew/5.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/matthew/5.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/matthew/5.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/5.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Therefore, if you shall offer your gift at the altar, and there shall remember that your brother has something against you,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/matthew/5.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/matthew/5.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/matthew/5.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Therefore, if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there you remember that your brother has something against you,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/matthew/5.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />“Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/matthew/5.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“If therefore you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/matthew/5.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/matthew/5.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />So if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and <i>while</i> there you remember that your brother has something [such as a grievance or legitimate complaint] against you,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/matthew/5.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So if you are offering your gift on the altar, and there you remember that your brother or sister has something against you,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/matthew/5.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So if you are offering your gift on the altar, and there you remember that your brother has something against you, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/matthew/5.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />If therefore thou art offering thy gift at the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/matthew/5.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />So if you are about to place your gift on the altar and remember that someone is angry with you, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/matthew/5.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />If therefore thou art offering thy gift at the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/matthew/5.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"So if you are offering your gift at the altar and remember there that another believer has something against you,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/matthew/5.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />So if you are about to offer your gift to God at the altar and there you remember that your brother has something against you, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/matthew/5.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"So if you are presenting your gift at the altar and remember there that your brother has something against you, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/matthew/5.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/matthew/5.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />So then, if you bring your gift to the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/matthew/5.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"If therefore you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has anything against you,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/matthew/5.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Therefore if thou shalt bring thy gift to the altar, and there remember that thy brother hath aught against thee;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/5.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />If therefore when you are offering your gift upon the altar, you remember that your brother has a grievance against you,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/matthew/5.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“If therefore you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has anything against you, <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/matthew/5.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />If, therefore, you may bring your gift to the altar, and there may remember that your brother has anything against you,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/5.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Therefore, if you shall offer your gift at the altar, and there shall remember that your brother has something against you,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/matthew/5.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'If, therefore, thou mayest bring thy gift to the altar, and there mayest remember that thy brother hath anything against thee,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/matthew/5.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />If therefore, thou bring thy gift upon the altar, and there thou remember that thy brother has anything against thee,<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/matthew/5.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />If therefore thou offer thy gift at the altar, and there thou remember that thy brother hath any thing against thee; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/matthew/5.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Therefore, if you offer your gift at the altar, and there you remember that your brother has something against you,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/matthew/5.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/matthew/5.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/matthew/5.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />If it should happen therefore that while you are presenting your offering upon the altar, and right there you remember that your brother has any grievance against you,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/5.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />If therefore you bring your offering to the altar, and there you remember that your brother holds any grudge against you,<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/matthew/5.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />If, therefore, you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has any thing against you,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/matthew/5.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>Therefore if you may bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you,<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/matthew/5.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />If therefore thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/matthew/5.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />When therefore you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has reason to be displeas'd with you:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/5.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />If therefore when you are offering your gift upon the altar, you remember that your brother has a grievance against you,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/matthew/5.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>If, therefore, you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has ought against you,<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/matthew/5.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>Therefore, if thou bring thine offering to the altar, and there remembrest that thy brother hath any <Fr><i>complaint</i><FR> against thee;<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/matthew/5-23.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=1004" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/matthew/5.htm">Anger and Reconciliation</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">22</span>But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell. <span class="reftext">23</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/3767.htm" title="3767: oun (Conj) -- Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.">So</a> <a href="/greek/1437.htm" title="1437: Ean (Conj) -- If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.">if</a> <a href="/greek/4374.htm" title="4374: prospherēs (V-PSA-2S) -- From pros and phero; to bear towards, i.e. Lead to, tender, treat.">you are offering</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-ANS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: sou (PPro-G2S) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">your</a> <a href="/greek/1435.htm" title="1435: dōron (N-ANS) -- A gift, present. A present; specially, a sacrifice.">gift</a> <a href="/greek/1909.htm" title="1909: epi (Prep) -- On, to, against, on the basis of, at. ">at</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-ANS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/2379.htm" title="2379: thysiastērion (N-ANS) -- An altar (for sacrifice). From a derivative of thusia; a place of sacrifice, i.e. An altar.">altar</a> <a href="/greek/2546.htm" title="2546: kakei (Conj) -- And there, and yonder, there also. From kai and ekei; likewise in that place.">and there</a> <a href="/greek/3403.htm" title="3403: mnēsthēs (V-ASP-2S) -- To remember, call to mind, recall, mention. A prolonged form of mnaomai; to remind, i.e. to recall to mind.">remember</a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.">that</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: sou (PPro-G2S) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">your</a> <a href="/greek/80.htm" title="80: adelphos (N-NMS) -- A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote.">brother</a> <a href="/greek/2192.htm" title="2192: echei (V-PIA-3S) -- To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.">has</a> <a href="/greek/5100.htm" title="5100: ti (IPro-ANS) -- Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.">something</a> <a href="/greek/2596.htm" title="2596: kata (Prep) -- A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined).">against</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: sou (PPro-G2S) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">you,</a> </span> <span class="reftext">24</span>leave your gift there before the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/18-15.htm">Matthew 18:15-17</a></span><br />If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. / But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ / If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, regard him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/11-25.htm">Mark 11:25</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/17-3.htm">Luke 17:3-4</a></span><br />Watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. / Even if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times returns to say, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/4-20.htm">1 John 4:20-21</a></span><br />If anyone says, “I love God,” but hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. / And we have this commandment from Him: Whoever loves God must love his brother as well.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/4-26.htm">Ephesians 4:26-27</a></span><br />“Be angry, yet do not sin.” Do not let the sun set upon your anger, / and do not give the devil a foothold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/5-16.htm">James 5:16</a></span><br />Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-18.htm">Romans 12:18</a></span><br />If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/11-27.htm">1 Corinthians 11:27-29</a></span><br />Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. / Each one must examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. / For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body eats and drinks judgment on himself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/3-13.htm">Colossians 3:13</a></span><br />Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/12-14.htm">Hebrews 12:14</a></span><br />Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/4-3.htm">Genesis 4:3-7</a></span><br />So in the course of time, Cain brought some of the fruit of the soil as an offering to the LORD, / while Abel brought the best portions of the firstborn of his flock. And the LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering, / but He had no regard for Cain and his offering. So Cain became very angry, and his countenance fell. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/19-17.htm">Leviticus 19:17-18</a></span><br />You must not harbor hatred against your brother in your heart. Directly rebuke your neighbor, so that you will not incur guilt on account of him. / Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/6-16.htm">Proverbs 6:16-19</a></span><br />There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to Him: / haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, / a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that run swiftly to evil, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/15-8.htm">Proverbs 15:8</a></span><br />The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/1-11.htm">Isaiah 1:11-17</a></span><br />“What good to Me is your multitude of sacrifices?” says the LORD. “I am full from the burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed cattle; I take no delight in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. / When you come to appear before Me, who has required this of you—this trampling of My courts? / Bring your worthless offerings no more; your incense is detestable to Me. New Moons, Sabbaths, and convocations—I cannot endure iniquity in a solemn assembly. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has ought against you;</p><p class="hdg">thou.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/8-4.htm">Matthew 8:4</a></b></br> And 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.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/23-19.htm">Matthew 23:19</a></b></br> <i>Ye</i> fools and blind: for whether <i>is</i> greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/16-16.htm">Deuteronomy 16:16,17</a></b></br> Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty: … </p><p class="hdg">rememberest.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/41-9.htm">Genesis 41:9</a></b></br> Then spake the chief butler unto Pharaoh, saying, I do remember my faults this day:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/42-21.htm">Genesis 42:21,22</a></b></br> And they said one to another, We <i>are</i> verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/50-15.htm">Genesis 50:15-17</a></b></br> And when Joseph's brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/malachi/2-13.htm">Altar</a> <a href="/ezekiel/18-16.htm">Aught</a> <a href="/malachi/1-9.htm">Gift</a> <a href="/habakkuk/1-3.htm">Grievance</a> <a href="/matthew/4-23.htm">Making</a> <a href="/matthew/4-9.htm">Mayest</a> <a href="/matthew/1-19.htm">Mind</a> <a href="/malachi/3-3.htm">Offer</a> <a href="/malachi/3-4.htm">Offering</a> <a href="/matthew/3-15.htm">Ought</a> <a href="/malachi/1-7.htm">Presenting</a> <a href="/malachi/4-4.htm">Remember</a> <a href="/psalms/88-5.htm">Rememberest</a> <a href="/obadiah/1-14.htm">Shouldest</a> <a href="/habakkuk/1-5.htm">Something</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/5-24.htm">Altar</a> <a href="/matthew/21-3.htm">Aught</a> <a href="/matthew/5-24.htm">Gift</a> <a href="/mark/11-25.htm">Grievance</a> <a href="/matthew/9-16.htm">Making</a> <a href="/matthew/5-26.htm">Mayest</a> <a href="/matthew/13-15.htm">Mind</a> <a href="/matthew/5-24.htm">Offer</a> <a href="/matthew/5-24.htm">Offering</a> <a href="/matthew/18-33.htm">Ought</a> <a href="/acts/17-19.htm">Presenting</a> <a href="/matthew/10-16.htm">Remember</a> <a href="/hebrews/2-6.htm">Rememberest</a> <a href="/matthew/8-8.htm">Shouldest</a> <a href="/matthew/12-6.htm">Something</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 5</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/5-1.htm">Jesus' sermon on the mount:</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/5-3.htm">The Beattitudes;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/5-13.htm">the salt of the earth;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/5-14.htm">the light of the world.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/5-17.htm">He came to fulfill the law.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/5-21.htm">What it is to kill;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">27. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/5-27.htm">to commit adultery;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">33. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/5-33.htm">to swear.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">38. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/5-38.htm">He exhorts to forgive wrong,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">43. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/5-43.htm">to love our enemies;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">48. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/5-48.htm">and to labor after perfection.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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The altar was central to Jewish worship, where offerings were made to atone for sins and express devotion to God. This practice is rooted in the Old Testament, where the altar is a place of sacrifice and communion with God (<a href="/exodus/20-24.htm">Exodus 20:24</a>). The act of offering a gift signifies an intention to worship and seek reconciliation with God. The Temple, as the location of the altar, was the heart of Jewish religious life, emphasizing the importance of purity and sincerity in worship.<p><b>and there remember that your brother has something against you,</b><br>This phrase highlights the importance of interpersonal relationships in the context of worship. The term "brother" can be understood broadly to mean any fellow believer or member of the community. The instruction to reconcile with a brother before offering a gift underscores the biblical principle that right relationships with others are integral to a right relationship with God (1 <a href="/john/4-20.htm">John 4:20-21</a>). This teaching aligns with the broader biblical theme of reconciliation and forgiveness, as seen in passages like <a href="/matthew/18-15.htm">Matthew 18:15-17</a> and <a href="/ephesians/4-32.htm">Ephesians 4:32</a>. The emphasis on remembering suggests an active awareness and responsibility to address grievances, reflecting the call to live in peace and unity within the body of Christ.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a></b><br>The speaker of this teaching, delivering the Sermon on the Mount, which includes a series of teachings on righteousness and kingdom living.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_altar.htm">The Altar</a></b><br>A place of sacrifice and offering in the Jewish temple, symbolizing worship and reconciliation with God.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/y/your_brother.htm">Your Brother</a></b><br>Refers to fellow believers or anyone with whom one has a relationship, emphasizing the importance of interpersonal reconciliation.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_gift.htm">The Gift</a></b><br>Represents offerings or sacrifices made to God, symbolizing acts of worship and devotion.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_sermon_on_the_mount.htm">The Sermon on the Mount</a></b><br>The context in which this teaching is given, a collection of Jesus' teachings on how to live as His followers.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_priority_of_reconciliation.htm">The Priority of Reconciliation</a></b><br>Before engaging in acts of worship, ensure that relationships with others are right. Reconciliation is a prerequisite for true worship.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_heart_of_worship.htm">The Heart of Worship</a></b><br>Worship is not just about external rituals but involves the condition of the heart. A heart harboring unresolved conflict is not fully devoted to God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_urgency_of_addressing_conflict.htm">The Urgency of Addressing Conflict</a></b><br>Jesus emphasizes the immediacy of resolving conflicts, suggesting that it should take precedence over religious duties.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_community_of_believers.htm">The Community of Believers</a></b><br>This teaching underscores the importance of unity and peace within the body of Christ, reflecting God's love and grace.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_humility.htm">The Role of Humility</a></b><br>Approaching someone to reconcile requires humility and a willingness to admit wrongs, reflecting Christ-like character.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_5.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 5</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_i_skip_church_if_i'm_sick.htm">What guidance does the Bible offer on mourning?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_was_jesus'_ethnicity.htm">Can I play my drum for the newborn king?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_are_bible_question_answers.htm">What are the answers to Bible questions?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_restitution.htm">What is the Bible's stance on restitution?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/5.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(23) <span class= "bld">If thou bring thy gift to the altar.</span>--Literally, <span class= "ital">If thou shouldst be offering.</span> Our Lord was speaking to Jews as such, and paints, therefore, as it were, a scene in the Jewish Temple. The worshipper is about to offer a "gift" (the most generic term seems intentionally used to represent any kind of offering), and stands at the altar with the priest waiting to do his work. That is the right time for recollection and self-scrutiny. The worshipper is to ask himself, not whether he has a ground of complaint against any one, but whether any one has cause of complaint against him. This, and not the other, is the right question at such a moment--has he injured his neighbour by act, or spoken bitter words of him?<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/5.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 23.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Therefore</span>. Seeing that the consequences of an angry spirit are so terrible. For there is no thought here of an unforgiving spirit spoiling the acceptance of the gift (<span class="accented">vide infra</span>). Our Lord is insisting that it is so important to lose no time in seeking reconciliation with a person whom one has injured, that even the very holiest action must be put off for it. <span class="cmt_word">If</span> <span class="cmt_word">thou bring</span>; Revised Version, <span class="accented">if... thou art offering</span>; <span class="greek">ἐὰν</span>... <span class="greek">προσφέρῃς</span> (similarly, <span class="greek">πρόσηερε</span>, ver. 24), the technical word coming some sixty times in Leviticus alone. Christ implies that the action has already begun. <span class="cmt_word">Thy</span> <span class="cmt_word">gift</span>; a general word for any sacrifice. <span class="cmt_word">To the altar</span>. Since those to whom he spoke were still Jews, Christ illustrates his meaning by Jewish practices. A perverse literalism has found here a direct reference to the Eucharist. For reasonable <span class="accented">adaptations</span> (cf. even in ' Didache,' § 14.) of these two verses to this, see Waterland, 'Doctrine of the Eucharist,' ch. 13. § 4 (pp. 359-362, Oxford, 1868). <span class="cmt_word">And there rememberest</span>, etc. For the spirit of recollection may well culminate with the culminating action. Lightfoot ('Hor. Hebr.') shows that even the Jews taught such a postponement of the sacrifice if theft was remembered. He therefore thinks that the stress is on "ought" (<span class="greek">τι</span>): "For that which the <span class="accented">Jews</span> restrained only to pecuniary damages, Christ extends to all offences against our brother." But he overlooks the fact that, while the Jewish precept had reference to a sin (or even the neglect of some ceremonial rule, cf. Mishna, 'Pes.,' 3:7) vitiating the offering, there is no thought of this hero (<span class="accented">vide supra</span>)<span class="accented">. <span class="cmt_word"></span>Thy brother</span> (ver. 22, note). <span class="cmt_word">Ought</span>. So from Tyndale downwards. Revised Version, <span class="accented">aught</span>, here and apparently always, after the spelling now preferred as marking the difference from the verb. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/matthew/5-23.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">Therefore</span><br /><span class="grk">οὖν</span> <span class="translit">(oun)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3767.htm">Strong's 3767: </a> </span><span class="str2">Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">if</span><br /><span class="grk">Ἐὰν</span> <span class="translit">(Ean)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1437.htm">Strong's 1437: </a> </span><span class="str2">If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you are offering</span><br /><span class="grk">προσφέρῃς</span> <span class="translit">(prospherēs)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 2nd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4374.htm">Strong's 4374: </a> </span><span class="str2">From pros and phero; to bear towards, i.e. Lead to, tender, treat.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your</span><br /><span class="grk">σου</span> <span class="translit">(sou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> </span><span class="str2">You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">gift</span><br /><span class="grk">δῶρόν</span> <span class="translit">(dōron)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1435.htm">Strong's 1435: </a> </span><span class="str2">A gift, present. A present; specially, a sacrifice.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">at</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐπὶ</span> <span class="translit">(epi)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1909.htm">Strong's 1909: </a> </span><span class="str2">On, to, against, on the basis of, at. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">the</span><br /><span class="grk">τὸ</span> <span class="translit">(to)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Accusative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">altar</span><br /><span class="grk">θυσιαστήριον</span> <span class="translit">(thysiastērion)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2379.htm">Strong's 2379: </a> </span><span class="str2">An altar (for sacrifice). From a derivative of thusia; a place of sacrifice, i.e. An altar.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and there</span><br /><span class="grk">κἀκεῖ</span> <span class="translit">(kakei)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2546.htm">Strong's 2546: </a> </span><span class="str2">And there, and yonder, there also. From kai and ekei; likewise in that place.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">remember</span><br /><span class="grk">μνησθῇς</span> <span class="translit">(mnēsthēs)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Passive - 2nd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3403.htm">Strong's 3403: </a> </span><span class="str2">To remember, call to mind, recall, mention. A prolonged form of mnaomai; to remind, i.e. to recall to mind.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that</span><br /><span class="grk">ὅτι</span> <span class="translit">(hoti)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3754.htm">Strong's 3754: </a> </span><span class="str2">Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your</span><br /><span class="grk">σου</span> <span class="translit">(sou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> </span><span class="str2">You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">brother</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀδελφός</span> <span class="translit">(adelphos)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_80.htm">Strong's 80: </a> </span><span class="str2">A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">has</span><br /><span class="grk">ἔχει</span> <span class="translit">(echei)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2192.htm">Strong's 2192: </a> </span><span class="str2">To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">something</span><br /><span class="grk">τι</span> <span class="translit">(ti)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5100.htm">Strong's 5100: </a> </span><span class="str2">Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">against</span><br /><span class="grk">κατὰ</span> <span class="translit">(kata)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2596.htm">Strong's 2596: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined).</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you,</span><br /><span class="grk">σοῦ</span> <span class="translit">(sou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> </span><span class="str2">You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/5-23.htm">Matthew 5:23 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/matthew/5-23.htm">Matthew 5:23 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/matthew/5-23.htm">Matthew 5:23 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/matthew/5-23.htm">Matthew 5:23 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/matthew/5-23.htm">Matthew 5:23 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/5-23.htm">Matthew 5:23 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/5-23.htm">Matthew 5:23 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/5-23.htm">Matthew 5:23 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/5-23.htm">Matthew 5:23 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/matthew/5-23.htm">Matthew 5:23 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/matthew/5-23.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 5:23 If therefore you are offering your gift (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/5-22.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 5:22"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 5:22" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/5-24.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 5:24"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 5:24" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>