John Calvin Commentary Matthew 6:2

"When therefore thou doest alms, sound not a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have received their reward." — Matthew 6:2 (ASV)

When thou doest alms—He expressly reproves a long-established custom, in which the desire for fame could not only be perceived by the eye but also felt by the hands. In places where streets or roads met, and in public situations where large assemblies were usually held, they distributed alms to the poor.

There was evident ostentation in that practice, for they sought crowded places so that they might be seen by multitudes and—not satisfied with this—even added the sound of trumpets.⁴²⁵ They pretended, no doubt, that it was to call the poor—as excuses are never lacking—but it was perfectly obvious that they were hunting for applause and commendation.

Now, when our service is performed before men, we do not submit our lives to the judgment and approval of God. Therefore, Christ justly says that those persons who exhibit themselves in this manner have their reward, for those whose eyes are captivated by such vanity cannot look upon God.

For the same reason, all who desire vainglory are called hypocrites. Secular authors gave the name ὑποκριταί, hypocrites, to those who impersonated characters in plays and on stage; and Scripture has applied this term to people who are double in heart and insincere.⁴²⁶

There are various kinds of hypocrites.

Some, though conscious of being very wicked, impudently present themselves as good people before the world and endeavor to conceal their vices, of which they are inwardly aware.

Others allow themselves to reach such a level of audacity that they venture to claim even perfect righteousness before God.

Still others do good, not from a desire to do what is right, nor for the glory of God, but only to obtain fame and a reputation for holiness for themselves. Christ now describes this last-mentioned class, and He properly calls them hypocrites, for, having no right motive in performing good works, they assume a different character so that they may appear to be holy and sincere worshippers of God.

⁴²⁵ There is no necessity for giving a literal acceptation to the sounding of trumpets, particularly as no trace of such a practice, so far as we are aware, is to be found in history. Similar phrases are used, in many languages, to denote, that ostentation has been carried far beyond the bounds of ordinary propriety. — particularly as no trace of such a practice, so far as we are aware, is to be found in history. Similar phrases are used, in many languages, to denote, that ostentation has been carried far beyond the bounds of ordinary propriety. — Ed.

⁴²⁶ This is the true etymology of the word, and rests, not on conjecture, but on historical facts. ̔Ψποκρίνεσθαι was used in the same sense as the more modern term ἀποκρίνεσθαι,, to reply. An actor was called ὁ ὑποκρινόμενος τῶ χορῶ,An actor was called ὁ ὑποκρινόμενος τῶ χορῶ, one who replies to the chorus, alluding to the form of the ancient dramas. The circuitous phrase was altered to ̔Ψποκριτὴςalluding to the form of the ancient dramas. The circuitous phrase was altered to ̔Ψποκριτὴς, which was, for some time, used occasionally in a good sense, to denote “one who assumed, for a temporary purpose, a character different from his own;” but came afterwards to be uniformly used in a bad sense, as denoting “one who assumed a character which did not belong to him.” It is a curious instance of the facility with which a word passes, by a few changes, into a meaning altogether different from what it originally bore; and may serve to show, how rashly some philologists have maintained, that in all the successive meanings of a word the generic idea may be traced. The second will resemble the first, and the third either the first or the second, and every new meaning will have an analogy to a former one, from which it has been derived: but it may happen that, ere long, all traces of the original meaning have disappeared. which was, for some time, used occasionally in a good sense, to denote “one who assumed, for a temporary purpose, a character different from his own;” but came afterwards to be uniformly used in a bad sense, as denoting “one who assumed a character which did not belong to him.” It is a curious instance of the facility with which a word passes, by a few changes, into a meaning altogether different from what it originally bore; and may serve to show, how rashly some philologists have maintained, that in all the successive meanings of a word the generic idea may be traced. The second will resemble the first, and the third either the first or the second, and every new meaning will have an analogy to a former one, from which it has been derived: but it may happen that, ere long, all traces of the original meaning have disappeared. To reply and and to be insincere are ideas which have no resemblance. — are ideas which have no resemblance. — Ed.