Luke 11:41
But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.
Original Language Analysis
πλὴν
But rather
G4133
πλὴν
But rather
Strong's:
G4133
Word #:
1 of 11
moreover (besides), i.e., albeit, save that, rather, yet
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 11
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐνόντα
of such things as ye have
G1751
ἐνόντα
of such things as ye have
Strong's:
G1751
Word #:
3 of 11
to be within (neuter participle plural)
δότε
give
G1325
δότε
give
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
4 of 11
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
ἐλεημοσύνην
alms
G1654
ἐλεημοσύνην
alms
Strong's:
G1654
Word #:
5 of 11
compassionateness, i.e., (as exercised towards the poor) beneficence, or (concretely) a benefaction
Cross References
Luke 12:33Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.James 1:27Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.Titus 1:15Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.Hebrews 13:16But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.Acts 10:15And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.Proverbs 19:17He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.Proverbs 14:31He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.Luke 16:9And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.Daniel 4:27Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.Hebrews 6:10For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
Historical Context
Almsgiving was central to Jewish piety (alongside prayer and fasting), but Pharisees often publicized their charity for honor (Matthew 6:2). Jesus calls for sincere generosity flowing from inner transformation. The Talmud later taught 'charity equals all the commandments,' reflecting Judaism's recognition of compassion's centrality—yet many religious leaders gave minimally while extracting maximum tithes from the poor.
Questions for Reflection
- How does your use of money reveal your heart's true priorities?
- Why might generous compassion toward the poor accomplish what ritual purity practices cannot?
- What 'internal cleanness' are you neglecting while maintaining external religious performance?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you (πλὴν τὰ ἐνόντα δότε ἐλεημοσύνην, καὶ ἰδοὺ πάντα καθαρὰ ὑμῖν ἐστιν)—Jesus prescribes the remedy: eleēmosunē (alms, charitable giving) from 'that which is within' (ta enonta). True purity flows from a transformed heart expressing itself in compassion, not ritual compliance. All things are clean unto you—comprehensive cleanness comes through inner generosity, not outer ceremony.
This radically reorients purity: it's relational (toward the poor) not ceremonial (ritual washing). The Pharisees hoarded wealth while obsessing over vessel-cleaning; Jesus commands generosity as evidence of heart transformation. Internal purity transforms how one engages all of life, including material possessions.