Devine Scripture

Matthew 5:23

What does Matthew 5:23 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 5:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 5:23 means

Jesus illustrates the profound importance of internal reconciliation over external religious ritual. He presents a scenario where an individual is about to offer a sacrifice at the altar, the pinnacle of Jewish worship. However, if this person remembers that a brother holds an offense against them, the religious act is to be momentarily suspended.

Matthew 5:23 in context

Matthew 5 — The Beatitudes

Jesus opens his Sermon on the Mount with eight pronouncements that turn the world's value system upside down. Blessing belongs not to the proud and self-sufficient but to the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, the hungry for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and the persecuted. In a few sentences he sketches the character of the citizens of the kingdom of heaven, and then calls them salt of the earth and light of the world.

  • Kingdom ethics
  • Inner righteousness
  • True blessedness
  • Light and salt

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

If therefore thou art offering thy gift at the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee,

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

If therefore thou art offering thy gift at the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee,

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

If then you are making an offering at the altar and there it comes to your mind that your brother has something against you,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`If, therefore, thou mayest bring thy gift to the altar, and there mayest remember that thy brother hath anything against thee,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

If therefore thou offer thy gift at the altar, and there thou remember that thy brother hath anything against thee;

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

If therefore thou shouldest offer thy gift at the altar, and there shouldest remember that thy brother has something against thee,

Context

This verse continues Jesus' teaching on anger and reconciliation, directly following His radical reinterpretation of murder in verse 22. It provides a practical, religious scenario to emphasize the priority of mending broken relationships before engaging in worship, leading into the specific instruction for reconciliation in the next verse.

v.22but I say unto you, that every one who is angry with his brother shall be in danger of the judgment; and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council; and whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of the hell of fire.

v.23This passage

v.24leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way, first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Samuel 15:22

    And Samuel said, Hath Jehovah as great delight in burnt-offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of Jehovah? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

  • Amos 5:21

    I hate, I despise your feasts, and I will take no delight in your solemn assemblies.

  • Genesis 50:15

    And when Joseph’s brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, It may be that Joseph will hate us, and will fully requite us all the evil which we did unto him.

  • Ezekiel 16:63

    that thou mayest remember, and be confounded, and never open thy mouth any more, because of thy shame, when I have forgiven thee all that thou hast done, saith the Lord Jehovah.

  • Matthew 8:4

    And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go, show thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.

  • Hosea 6:6

    For I desire goodness, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt-offerings.

Sermon ideas from Matthew 5:23

Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.

  • What Matthew 5:23 teaches us about kingdom ethics

  • What Matthew 5:23 teaches us about inner righteousness

  • What Matthew 5:23 teaches us about true blessedness

  • What Matthew 5:23 teaches us about light and salt

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