Luke 11:41

But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.

But rather {G4133} give {G1325} alms {G1654} of such things as ye have {G1751}; and {G2532}, behold {G2400}, all things {G3956} are {G2076} clean {G2513} unto you {G5213}.

Rather, give as alms what is inside, and then everything will be clean for you!

But give as alms the things that are within you, and you will see that everything is clean for you.

But give for alms those things which are within; and behold, all things are clean unto you.

Commentary

Context of Luke 11:41

This verse comes as part of Jesus' strong denunciation of the Pharisees and experts in the law (scribes) for their hypocrisy. Immediately preceding this, Jesus criticizes them for meticulously cleaning the outside of cups and dishes while their inner lives are full of greed and wickedness (Luke 11:39-40). Their focus was on outward appearance and ritual purity, neglecting the spiritual condition of their hearts. In Luke 11:41, Jesus offers a powerful counter-instruction, shifting the focus from external rituals to internal transformation expressed through practical compassion.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Inner Purity Overrides Outward Ritual: Jesus emphasizes that true cleanliness and purity do not come from ceremonial washings or external observances, but from a transformed heart that expresses itself in genuine acts of charity. This aligns with Jesus' broader teaching that what truly defiles a person comes from within (Mark 7:15, Matthew 15:11).
  • The Power of Almsgiving and Generosity: The command to "give alms of such things as ye have" is a direct antidote to the greed and self-centeredness Jesus just condemned. Giving generously to the needy, from what one possesses, demonstrates a heart aligned with God's compassion and justice. This act of charity has the power to sanctify, or make "clean," not just the giver, but also their possessions in a spiritual sense.
  • Spiritual Cleanliness: The phrase "all things are clean unto you" signifies that when one's heart is right and expresses itself in genuine love and generosity, the things they possess and use are no longer sources of defilement. The spiritual state of the individual dictates the purity of their interaction with the material world. It's a profound statement on the spiritual principle that inner righteousness leads to overall spiritual wholeness and acceptance before God.

Linguistic Insights

  • The word "alms" comes from the Greek word eleemosyne (ἐλεημοσύνη), which means 'pity, mercy, compassion', and by extension, 'the alms or charitable deeds prompted by compassion'. It's not just about giving money, but about an act of mercy flowing from a compassionate heart.
  • The word "clean" is from the Greek katharos (καθαρός), meaning 'pure, clean, unmixed, free from defilement'. This is the same word used for ceremonial purity, but Jesus here redefines its source as inner spiritual transformation, not outward ritual.

Practical Application

Luke 11:41 challenges believers today to examine their hearts and priorities. It reminds us that:

  • True piety is internal: Our spiritual health is not measured by outward religious observances alone, but by the condition of our hearts. Are we genuinely loving God and neighbor, or merely performing rituals for show?
  • Generosity purifies: Giving generously, especially to those in need, is a tangible expression of a heart transformed by God's grace. It helps us overcome materialism and self-centeredness, making our possessions and our lives spiritually "clean" in God's sight. This echoes principles found in other teachings on giving, such as Matthew 6:3-4.
  • God values the heart: God looks beyond our outward actions to the motivation of our hearts. A little given with a pure, charitable heart is more valuable than much given with selfish motives. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that the Lord looks at the heart.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Luke 12:33 (8 votes)

    Sell 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 1:27 (7 votes)

    Pure 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 1:15 (7 votes)

    Unto 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.

  • Acts 10:15 (6 votes)

    And the voice [spake] unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, [that] call not thou common.

  • Hebrews 13:16 (6 votes)

    But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

  • 2 Corinthians 8:7 (5 votes)

    ¶ Therefore, as ye abound in every [thing, in] faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and [in] all diligence, and [in] your love to us, [see] that ye abound in this grace also.

  • 2 Corinthians 8:9 (5 votes)

    For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.