Sermon on Mount, law and fulfillment, visible and hidden, debts and repayment, virtue and virtue signaling
Matthew 6:3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
Matthew 6:3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
So, making with a kindness of yours, it must not know, that left of yours, anything it performs, that right hand of yours.
There is a right way and a wrong way to do everything. Take away the wrong one and the right is left.
As with many such verses, especially in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus is clearly being entertaining here. The Greek terms that is translated as "doeth alms" or "give to the needy" has a broader meaning that just giving to charity. The verb means "perform" or "produce." The noun means "kindness" or "mercy."
Jesus used to different Greek words that are translated as "left hand" in different verses. The Greek word used here is a negative one, like the Latin term that is th source of our word "sinister." There is also a positive terms for let hand, not used here, that Jesus used to describe a place of honor as sitting on his left.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "when" doesn't exist in the source.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "doest" is not an active verb but a participle, "doing" or "performing."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "left hand" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The word translated as "left hand" is one of two different word translated in the NT as left hamd this one has negative implications while the other has positive ones.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The word translated as "know" is one of several words translated as "know." This one means "learn to know" or "learn."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "right hand" is not shown in the English translation.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "when" doesn't exist in the source.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "give" should be something more like "do" and "perform."
- IP - Inserted Phrase-- The phrase "to the" doesn't exist in the source.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The verb translated as "needy" should be something more like "mercy."
- WF - Wrong Form - The "give" is not an active verb but a participle, "doing" or "performing."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "left hand" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The word translated as "left hand" is one of two different word translated in the NT as left hamd this one has negative implications while the other has positive ones.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The word translated as "know" is one of several words translated as "know." This one means "learn to know" or "learn."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "right hand" is not shown in the English translation.
But -- The Greek word translated as "but" joins sentences in an adversarial way or introduces a phrase explaining a cause or condition. Given the odd structure of the phrase it is in, it really works best as something like an "if" explaining an alternative condition.
when -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "when" in the Greek source.
thou --This verse starts with a singular pronoun, "you" but its form is not that of a subject, but the form that is normally translated as "of you" or "your." This form is required by form of the verb. The form is singular, continuing the switch to the singular "you" in the previous verse (Matthew 6:2) from the plural "you" in the verse before that (Matthew 6:1) that began this discussion of rewards for good acts.
doest -- (WF) The Greek word translated as "doest" has the primary meaning of "making," "performing," or "producing" something. This word can also be translated as "do" because our English words for "make" and "produce" are not as versatile as the Greek word. However, "do" covers more ground than the Greek word does. The form of this verb is an adjective, not an active verb, so "performing." The form of the adjective is possessive so the sense is "your performing."
alms, -- The Greek word translated as "alms" is the Greek source for our word "eleemosynary," which in English means "charitable." However, the Greek word primarily means "pity" or "mercy." It is another form of the word used in the Beatitudes as "merciful" and "obtain mercy." It can be translated as any of our synonyms for a charitable act but "donation" or "kindness" works pretty well because in English we say that we "make donations" and "perform kindnesses," which conforms with the Greek verb used here. In contrast, we "give alms."
let -- This "let" is the helping verb used to translate the Greek form of the third-person command. In English all commands are in the second-person. This form is used as something like our word "must."
not -- The negative here is the negative of opinion, not fact. It has a sense of something that "shouldn't" or "you don't want" it to be done.
thy -- The word translated as "thy" is the genitive form of the singular, second-person pronoun, which is most commonly the possessive form. This pronoun follows the noun so "of yours."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
left hand -- (CW) The Greek term translated has many negative connotations such as "ominous," "erring," and "awkward." Like the "left" in Latin, it has sinister implications. However, Jesus also uses a different word for "left hand" that has positive implications in phrases such as describing who sits on his left hand.
know -- (CW) The word translated as "know" is one of many Greek different words that are commonly translated as "to know" in the KJV. To distinguish among them, we usually translated this particular word as "learn to know" or, simple, "learn," which is the way that Christ normally uses it. The Greek form of this verb is one that doesn't occur in English, it is a command given to an object. This form is usually translated as "let" so, in this case, "let it learn."
what -- The Greek term translated as "what" has many uses as a pronoun in Greek. It has a sense of uncertainty in the sense of "something" or "someone and universality, "anyone" or "anything."
thy -- The word translated as "thy" is the genitive form of the singular, second-person pronoun, which is most commonly the possessive form. This pronoun follows the noun so "of yours."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
right hand -- The Greek term translated as "right hand" has the additional meaning of a "pledge" in Greek in the sense that we make agreements and "shake on it" in English. That meaning fits very well here.
doeth: -- The Greek word translated as "doest" has the primary meaning of "making," "performing," or "producing" something. The second appearance of the verb is a different form than the first. It is an active verb that could either be the present tense or the imperfect tense, which indicates an action started in the past.
But -- The Greek word translated as "but" joins sentences in an adversarial way or introduces a phrase explaining a cause or condition. Given the odd structure of the phrase it is in, it really works best as something like an "if" explaining an alternative condition.
when -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "when" in the Greek source.
you --This verse starts with a singular pronoun, "you" but its form is not that of a subject, but the form that is normally translated as "of you" or "your." This form is required by form of the verb. The form is singular, continuing the switch to the singular "you" in the previous verse (Matthew 6:2) from the plural "you" in the verse before that (Matthew 6:1) that began this discussion of rewards for good acts.
give -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "give" has the primary meaning of "making," "performing," or "producing" something. This word can also be translated as "do" because our English words for "make" and "produce" are not as versatile as the Greek word. However, "do" covers more ground than the Greek word does. The form of this verb is an adjective, not an active verb, so "performing." The form of the adjective is possessive so the sense is "your performing."
to the -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as "the" in the Greek source.
needy, -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "needy" is the Greek source for our word "eleemosynary," which in English means "charitable," but the Greek word primarily means "pity" or "mercy." It is another form of the word used in the Beatitudes as "merciful" and "obtain mercy." It can be translated as any of our synonyms for a charitable act but "donation" or "kindness" works pretty well because in English we say that we "make donations" and "perform kindnesses," which conforms with the Greek verb used here.
do -- This helping verb is used to create commands, negative statements, and smooth word flow in English, but the Greek could be either a question or a statement.
not -- The negative here is the negative of opinion, not fact. It has a sense of something that "shouldn't" or "you don't want" it to be done.
let -- This "let" is the helping verb used to translate the Greek form of the third-person command. In English all commands are in the second-person. This form is used as something like our word "must."
your -- The word translated as "your " is the genitive form of the singular, second-person pronoun, which is most commonly the possessive form. This pronoun follows the noun so "of yours."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
left hand -- (CW) The Greek term translated has many negative connotations such as "ominous," "erring," and "awkward." Like the "left" in Latin, it has sinister implications. However, Jesus also uses a different word for "left hand" that has positive implications in phrases such as describing who sits on his left hand.
know -- (CW) The word translated as "know" is one of many Greek different words that are commonly translated as "to know" in the KJV. To distinguish among them, we usually translated this particular word as "learn to know" or, simple, "learn," which is the way that Christ normally uses it. The Greek form of this verb is one that doesn't occur in English, it is a command given to an object. This form is usually translated as "let" so, in this case, "let it learn."
what -- The Greek term translated as "what" has many uses as a pronoun in Greek. It has a sense of uncertainty in the sense of "something" or "someone and universality, "anyone" or "anything."
your -- The word translated as "your " is the genitive form of the singular, second-person pronoun, which is most commonly the possessive form. This pronoun follows the noun so "of yours."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
right hand -- The Greek term translated as "right hand" has the additional meaning of a "pledge" in Greek in the sense that we make agreements and "shake on it" in English. That meaning fits very well here.
is -- This helping verb indicates the present tense of the verb, which is expressed here as an adjective.
doing,: -- The Greek word translated as "doing" has the primary meaning of "making," "performing," or "producing" something. The second appearance of the verb is a different form than the first. It is an active verb that could either be the present tense or the imperfect tense, which indicates an action started in the past.
σοῦ (pron 2nd sg gen) "When thou" is from sou which means "you" and "your."
δὲ (partic) "But" is from de which means "but" and "on the other hand." It is the particle that joins sentences in an adversarial way but can also be an explanation of cause ("so").
ποιοῦντος (part sg pres act masc gen ) "Doest" is from poieo, which means "to make," "to produce," "to create," "to bring into existence," "to bring about," "to cause," "to render," "to consider," "to prepare," "to make ready," and "to do."
ἐλεημοσύνην (noun sg fem acc) "Alms" is from which means "pity," "mercy," "charity," and "alms." It is the noun for of the verb eleeo, which means "to have pity on," "to show mercy to," and "to feel pity." In the passive, "to be shown pity," and "to be pitied."
μὴ (partic) "Lest" is from me, which is the negative used in prohibitions and expressions of doubt meaning "not" and "no." As οὐ (ou) negates fact and statement; μή rejects, οὐ denies; μή is relative, οὐ absolute; μή subjective, οὐ objective.
γνώτω (3rd sg aor imperat act) "Know," is from ginosko which means "to learn to know," "to know by reflection or observation," and "to perceive."
ἡ (article sg fem nom) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). --
ἀριστερά [3 verses[(adj sg fem nom) "The left" is from aristeros, which means "left," "on the left," "boding ill," "ominous," "awkward," "erring," and "leftward in the mind."
σου (pron 2nd sg gen) "Thy" is from sou which means "you" and "your."
τί (irreg sg neut nom/acc) "What" is from tis which can mean "someone," "any one," "everyone," "they [indefinite]," "many a one," "whoever," "anyone," "anything," "some sort," "some sort of," "each," "any," "the individual," "such," and so on. In a question, it can mean "who," "why," or "what."
ποιεῖ (3rd sg pres ind act or 3rd sg imperf ind act ) "Doeth" is from poieo, which means "to make," "to produce," "to create," "to bring into existence," "to bring about," "to cause," "to render," "to consider," "to prepare," "to make ready," and "to do.
ἡ (article sg fem nom) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). --
δεξιά (noun sg fem nom) "Right" is from dexios, which means, as an adjective, "on the right hand," "fortunate," "skillful," "ready," "clever," "courteous," and "kindly." As a noun, it means the "right hand," "assurance," "pledge,"and "treaty."
σου, (pron 2nd sg gen) "Thy" is from sou which means "you" and "your."
The word used for "left" has the sense of "ominous" and "awkward."
The use of the double meaning of "right hand" to refer to the "pledge" of charity. The point of this verse is largely humorous.
“I don’t want to be seen as an actor,” she said more humbly, just loud enough to be heard. “So what is the right way to perform a kindness?”
The Nazarene smiled and welcomed her up to the speaking area, taking her both her hands. Abbiah nodded almost shyly at his attention.
“So, about your performing a kindness,” he began sympathetically, addressing Abbiah personally. He smiled.
Then he affected the accent of the street urchin, Stepheos, in mock whisper that everyone could hear, “Don’t let it know.”
He held up her left hand.
“That left of yours, what it is doing,” he continued, “that right one.”
As he said it, he lifted her right hand over her head and turned her toward the crowd.
We remembered Stepheos’s earlier line about how he managed money, and we laughed.
At our laugh, Abbiah flushed with embarrassment, pulled her hands away from the Master, and hid both them both behind her back.
The Nazarene smiled, indicating her hidden hands to the crowd, and nodding his approval of her actions.