Matthew 6:2

When, therefore, thou doest alms.

This is the first example. The wrong way, that of the hypocrites, is described. The Greek word rendered hypocrites, means. theatrical actor, one who is not real, but acts. part. Their method was to give with the utmost ostentation. Giving to the poor has always been held in high honor among the Jews. At their feasts the poor were never forgotten. But in that, as in all ages, there has been. tendency to measure the value of the act by the amount that was given, rather than by the motive that prompted it. In our age the world rings with the praises of the millionaire who gives. few thousands out of his superfluity, but is silent concerning the humble ones who have taken from their necessities and given to the same cause. Yet of all who cast their sums, large and small, into the temple treasury, only the widow who gave. mite out of her living, has been rendered immortal.

Sound. trumpet before thee.

It not being apparent, from Jewish writings, that it was customary with the Jews to sound. trumpet when they distributed alms, this seems only to be. proverbial expression to denote the making of. thing publicly known, as Jews and Gentiles were wont to do, by the sound of the trumpet, in their triumphs, and before acting their tragedies.-- Whitby. The meaning is when you give to the poor, do not blow about it.

Hypocrite.

A Grecian actor. The actors wore masks and appeared to be somebody else than they really were. So too the religious hypocrites.