Matthew 5 24

Matthew 5:24 kjv

Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

Matthew 5:24 nkjv

leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Matthew 5:24 niv

leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

Matthew 5:24 esv

leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Matthew 5:24 nlt

leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.

Matthew 5 verses

Matthew 5 24 Meaning

Matthew 5:24 emphasizes that genuine worship of God is intrinsically linked to and dependent upon reconciliation and peace with one's fellow human beings. Jesus commands that if one has an unresolved conflict with a "brother"—meaning any fellow person, especially within the community—this interpersonal issue takes precedence over the act of offering a gift or sacrifice to God at the altar. True devotion and acceptable offerings can only proceed from a heart that is actively pursuing right relationships.

Matthew 5 24 Context

Matthew 5:24 is situated within the broader teaching of Jesus known as the Sermon on the Mount, specifically in a section where Jesus elaborates on what constitutes "greater righteousness" (Matt 5:20) in the Kingdom of Heaven, going beyond the traditional interpretations of the Mosaic Law. Having just discussed how anger can be as serious as murder (vv. 21-22) and lead to judgment, Jesus immediately connects this inner disposition to the outward act of worship. The passage highlights a significant shift: internal moral and relational integrity are paramount to external religious observance. The historical and cultural context for Jesus' original audience involved regular participation in Temple worship, where bringing offerings and sacrifices to the altar was a central act of piety. For them, this would have been a profoundly challenging instruction, as it suggests that a seemingly devout act is unacceptable if their interpersonal relationships are fractured. Jesus subtly critiques the common misconception that one can compartmentalize their spiritual life from their daily interactions, arguing instead that our relationship with God cannot be right if our relationships with others are broken.

Matthew 5 24 Word analysis

• "Leave" (ἄφες, aphes): This is a strong, immediate imperative. It means to let go of or abandon something in a specific location, rather than just temporarily set it aside. Here, it signifies a decisive halt to a sacred action.
• "your gift" (τὸ δῶρόν σου, to dōron sou): Refers to an offering, sacrifice, or a devotional item being presented at the Temple. These gifts were central to Jewish worship, expressing devotion, seeking atonement, or thanksgiving.
• "there before the altar" (ἐκεῖ ἔμπροσθεν τοῦ θυσιαστηρίου, ekei emprosthen tou thysiastēriou): The altar was the most sacred spot in the Temple complex, the focal point for sacrificial atonement and communion with God. The phrase underscores the radical nature of the command: interrupting worship at its most sacred point.
• "and go" (καὶ ὕπαγε, kai hypage): Another urgent imperative. It commands immediate movement away from the ritual site, indicating that reconciliation is not a suggestion but an essential, time-sensitive prerequisite.
• "first" (πρῶτον, prōton): An adverb denoting absolute priority. This term establishes a hierarchy of values where right relationship with others is foundational, preceding and enabling acceptable worship of God.
• "be reconciled" (διαλλάγηθι, diallagēthi): This is a passive imperative, meaning "let yourself be reconciled" or "get reconciled." It implies that the initiative to seek or accept peace rests on the worshiper, regardless of who caused the offense. It involves actively restoring harmony and broken trust.
• "to your brother" (τῷ ἀδελφῷ σου, tō adelphō sou): While literally "brother," this term broadly includes any fellow human being, particularly a fellow member of the faith community or a neighbor. It signifies anyone with whom one should have a harmonious relationship.
• "and then" (καὶ τότε, kai tote): A precise conjunction indicating sequential order. The action of worship can only legitimately follow after reconciliation has occurred.
• "come and offer" (ἐλθὼν προσένεγκε, elthōn prosenegke): Implies returning to complete the interrupted act of worship, but only once the preceding condition of reconciliation has been met.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Leave your gift there before the altar and go": This immediate and drastic command vividly illustrates Jesus' reordering of priorities. It dramatically halts the highest form of external religious duty to emphasize an even greater spiritual imperative.
• "first be reconciled to your brother": This phrase places relational integrity as the supreme preliminary for engaging with God. It requires taking the initiative for healing, even if one perceives oneself as the wronged party, stressing that personal spiritual state is inextricably linked to interpersonal harmony.
• "and then come and offer your gift": This sequence clearly dictates the proper flow of authentic piety. True worship is not simply about rituals but about a heart made right, first with man, then with God, suggesting that God receives worship not in isolation, but in the context of loving community.

Matthew 5 24 Bonus section

• This teaching serves as a powerful testament to Jesus' deeper interpretation of the Law, moving beyond letter to spirit. He re-establishes love for God and neighbor as the dual, inseparable foundations for righteous living and acceptable worship.
• The urgency ("go," "first") indicates that delay in addressing relational issues is not merely inconvenient but a barrier to one's spiritual life. It encourages immediate action in conflict resolution.
• This principle is not confined to serious grievances but applies to any known "issue" or estrangement that hinders unity, regardless of perceived magnitude. The term "brother" ensures broad applicability.
• The command to "be reconciled" highlights personal responsibility. Even if one is the injured party, the onus is on them, as the worshipper, to initiate or receive the steps towards healing the relationship, reflecting a peacemaking heart.

Matthew 5 24 Commentary

Matthew 5:24 is a profound articulation of Jesus' emphasis on internal transformation and the supremacy of love and righteousness in all human interactions over mere external religious practices. It reveals God's desire for genuine relationships—both with Himself and among His people—as fundamental to true spirituality. The teaching challenges the common misconception that outward religious devotion can compensate for unaddressed interpersonal strife or a heart harboring ill-will. Instead, it asserts that a fractured relationship with a fellow human directly impedes acceptable worship of God. This principle underscores that the integrity of our horizontal relationships profoundly impacts the authenticity and efficacy of our vertical relationship with God. It's a call to immediate, proactive peacemaking and reminds believers that reconciliation is a core aspect of what it means to live in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Examples:

• Before participating in communion or leading prayer in a group setting, recall if there's an unresolved disagreement with someone present or even someone not present, and genuinely commit to addressing it.
• If preparing a tithe or significant offering, pause to consider if you've been harboring a grudge against a friend or family member; address that before proceeding with the offering.
• Prioritize a difficult conversation to make amends or seek forgiveness over attending a Bible study or ministry event if that conversation has been weighing on your conscience regarding a relationship.