But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.

LUKE 11:41KJV
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Luke 11:41 (KJV)

What does Luke 11:41 mean?

Luke 11:41 means that giving to those in need from what you have is more important than outward rituals, and when you do this, everything you have is considered clean. Jesus is teaching that generosity and compassion matter more than strict external rules about purity.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to the Pharisees, who were religious leaders focused on ceremonial cleanliness and outward appearances. He challenges them by saying that instead of just following rules about washing and purity, they should focus on giving alms—helping the poor with what they possess. The point is that true cleanliness before God comes from a generous and sincere heart, not just from following external traditions.

The Greek behind Luke 11:41

  • ἐλεημοσύνη (eleēmosynē, "alms"): This word refers to acts of charity or giving to the poor. Jesus uses it to highlight genuine care for others as a sign of inner purity.
  • ἔχετε (echete, "have"): The phrase "of such things as ye have" points to giving out of what you already possess, not from abundance or show, but from your real, everyday resources.
  • καθαρός (katharos, "clean"): This word means pure or clean, often in a ritual or moral sense. Here, Jesus connects inner generosity with true cleanliness, challenging the idea that ritual acts alone make someone pure.

Why Luke 11:41 matters

  • Luke 11:41 clarifies that Jesus is not dismissing purity but redefining it—showing that God values a generous heart over ritual observance.
  • This verse helps correct the misunderstanding that outward religious actions are enough to please God, pointing instead to the importance of inner motives and compassion.
  • In the wider context, this teaching fits into Jesus’ broader challenge to the Pharisees’ focus on external rules, urging a return to the heart of God’s law: love and mercy.

Where else these words appear

“alms” Greek G1654 · used in 14 verses

  • Matthew 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.
  • Luke 12:33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
  • Acts 9:36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.

“clean” Greek G2513 · used in 24 verses

  • Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
  • Acts 20:26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
  • James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

“rather” Greek G4133 · used in 31 verses

  • Matthew 11:22 But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.
  • Luke 10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
  • Acts 8:1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.