“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus isn't just telling us not to be showy; he's highlighting the danger of our motivation. When our "righteousness" is performed for the applause of others, the verse implies we're essentially trying to collect our reward prematurely from people, leaving none from God.
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is teaching about true righteousness, contrasting it with the superficial piety of the Pharisees. He has just explained that the kingdom of heaven belongs to those who are pure in heart, and now shifts to address the inner motivation behind religious practices. This verse serves as a general warning, which he will then unpack with specific examples regarding giving, praying, and fasting.
Jesus calls out a common trap: doing good things to look good. But what does He really want from us?
In Matthew 6:1, Jesus uses the word 'righteousness' in a broad sense, not just referring to almsgiving, but encompassing all acts of devotion like prayer and fasting. The core issue isn't the act itself, but the motive behind it.
Motive Matters
We all crave a reward. But Jesus highlights a crucial difference: who are you trying to please?
Jesus draws a clear line between two sources of reward. Our actions are like investments; we need to know where we're placing them.
Two Kingdoms, Two Rewards
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Understand the original words
dikaiosynē · Greek Noun
Actions or conduct that conform to the standard of God's law and moral requirements, often used in the New Testament to describe acts of piety or religious observance.
patēr · Greek Noun
The designation of God as the source of life, authority, and relationship for believers, emphasizing His paternal care, holiness, and sovereignty.
misthon · Greek Noun
A recompense or wage granted by God to the faithful, understood not as earning salvation, but as the gracious acknowledgement of God for those who live in obedience to Him.
This parable highlights the contrast between outward religious acts and the humble, internal posture of the heart, echoing Jesus' warning against performing righteousness for show.
Galatians 1:10Paul directly addresses the dilemma of seeking human approval versus divine approval, mirroring the core warning in Matthew 6:1 about the motivation behind one's actions.
1 Corinthians 4:3-5This passage emphasizes that human judgment is insufficient and that ultimate accountability rests with God, reinforcing Jesus' point that seeking human praise forfeits divine reward.
Colossians 3:23-24This verse encourages believers to work heartily as for the Lord, not for human recognition, aligning with Matthew 6:1's call to perform good deeds with the Father in heaven as the true audience.
1 Samuel 16:7This verse reminds us that God looks at the heart, not outward appearances, directly supporting Jesus' teaching that the intention behind our 'righteousness' is what truly matters to God.
bensonMatthew 6:1: "Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven."
Matthew 6:1 . Take heed that ye do not your alms, &c. — As some copies and very ancient versions read δικαιοσυνην , righteousness, instead of ελεημοσυνην , alms-deeds, and several of the fathers quote the passage so, “I choose, with Beza,” says Dr. Doddridge, “to follow that reading; because it prevents the appearance of a tautology in the following wo…
wesleyMatthew 6:1: "Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven."
6:1 In the foregoing chapter our Lord particularly described the nature of inward holiness. In this he describes that purity of intention without which none of our outward actions are holy. This chapter contains four parts, The right intention and manner of giving alms, ver.1 -4. The right intention, manner, form, and prerequisites of prayer, ver.5 - 1…
Jesus isn't just telling us not to be showy; he's highlighting the danger of our motivation. When our "righteousness" is performed for the applause of others, the verse implies we're essentially trying to collect our reward prematurely from people, leaving none from God.
Jesus is teaching about true righteousness, contrasting it with the superficial piety of the Pharisees. He has just explained that the kingdom of heaven belongs to those who are pure in heart, and now shifts to address the inner motivation behind religious practices. This verse serves as a general warning, which he will then unpack with specific examples regarding giving, praying, and fasting.
Jesus is teaching about true righteousness, contrasting it with the superficial piety of the Pharisees. He has just explained that the kingdom of heaven belongs to those who are pure in heart, and now shifts to address the inner motivation behind religious practices. This verse serves as a general warning, which he will then unpack with specific examples regarding giving, praying, and fasting.
"“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven." — Jesus isn't just telling us not to be showy; he's highlighting the danger of our motivation. When our "righteousness" is performed for the applause of others, the verse implies we're essentially…
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Last reviewed October 2026