Albert Barnes Commentary Matthew 5:23-24

"If therefore thou art offering thy gift at the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee, 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 5:23-24 (ASV)

Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, etc. The Pharisees were intent only on the external act in worship. They did not look at all to the internal acts of the mind. If a man conformed to the external rites of religion, however much envy, and malice, and secret hatred he might have, they thought he was doing well.

Our Saviour taught a different doctrine. It was of more consequence to have the heart right than to perform the outward act. If therefore, he says, a man has gone so far as to bring his gift to the very altar, and should remember that anyone had anything against him, it was his duty there to leave his offering, and go and be reconciled.

While a difference of this nature existed, his offering could not be acceptable. He was not to wait until the offended brother should come to him; he was to go and seek him out, and be reconciled. So now, the worship of God will not be acceptable, however well performed externally, until we are at peace with those that we have injured. To obey is better than sacrifice. He who comes to worship his Maker filled with malice, and hatred, and envy, and at war with his brethren, is a hypocritical worshipper, and must meet with God's displeasure. God is not deceived; and he will not be mocked.

Your gift. Your sacrifice. What you are about to devote to God as an offering. To the altar. The altar was situated in front of the temple (see the representation on the following page) and was the place on which sacrifices were made (see notes on Matthew 21:12).

To bring a gift to the altar was expressive of worshipping God, for this was the way in which he was formerly worshipped.

Your brother. Any man, especially any fellow worshipper. Anyone of the same religious society.

Has anything. Is offended, or thinks he has been injured by you in any manner.

First be reconciled. This means to settle the difficulty; to make proper acknowledgment, or satisfaction, for the injury. If you have wronged him, make restitution. If you owe him a debt that ought to be paid, pay it. If you have injured his character, confess it, and seek pardon. If he is under an erroneous impression, if your conduct has been such as to lead him to suspect that you have injured him, make an explanation. Do all in your power, and all you ought to do, to have the matter settled. From this we learn:

1. That in order to worship God acceptably, we must do justice to our fellow men.
2. Our worship will not be acceptable, unless we do all we can to live peaceably with others.
3. It is our duty to seek reconciliation with others when we have injured them.
4. This should be done before we attempt to worship God.
5. This is often the reason why God does not accept our offerings, and we go empty away from our devotions. We do not do what we ought to others; we cherish improper feelings, or refuse to make proper acknowledgments, and God will not accept such attempts to worship him.