Matthew 5:23-24

Holtzmann (H. C.) regards these verses, as well as the two following, as an addition by the evangelist. But the passage is at least in thorough harmony with what goes before, as well as with the whole discourse. Ἐὰν οὖν προσφέρῃς, if thou art in the very act of presenting thine offering (present tense) at the altar. κἀκεῖ μνησθῇς … κατὰ σοῦ, and it suddenly flashes through thy mind there that thou hast done something to a brother man fitted to provoke angry feeling in him. What then? Get through with thy worship as fast as possible and go directly after and make peace with the offended? No, interrupt the religious action and go on that errand first. ἄφες ἐκεῖ. Lay it down on the spur of the moment before the altar without handing it to the priest to be offered by him in thy stead. καὶ ὕπαγε πρῶτον. The πρῶτον is to be joined to ὕπαγε, not to the following verb as in A. V [22] and R. V [23] (πρῶτον stands after the verb also in chaps. Matthew 6:33; Matthew 7:5). First go : remove thyself from the temple, break off thy worship, though it may seem profane to do so. διαλλάγηθι … καὶ τότε … πρόσφερε : no contempt for religious service expressed or implied. Holtzmann (H. C.) asks, did Jesus offer sacrifice? and answers, hardly. In any case He respected the practice. But, reconciliation before sacrifice: morality before religion. Significant utterance, first announcement of a great principle often repeated, systematically neglected by the religion of the time. Placability before sacrifice, mercy before sacrifice, filial affection and duty before sacrifice; so always in Christ's teaching (Matthew 9:13; Matthew 15:5). πρόσφερε : present; set about offering: plenty of time now for the sacred action.

[22] Authorised Version.

[23] Revised Version.