Luke 11:41 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

But, &c.— But rather give alms of such things as you are able. Or, in proportion to your substance. Doddridge. We are not to imagine, that alms-giving was particularly mentioned by Christ in his exhortation to the Pharisees, because it is of greater value and necessity than the other virtues and graces. He recommended it to that sect, because they were generally remarkable for their covetousness and extortion; vices which must be repented of, by making restitution to those who have been injured by them; and when these cannot be known or found, the compensation must be made to the poor, as having the next right, because what is given to them is lent tothe Lord. But the Pharisees were of an incorrigibly stubborn disposition, which no instruction, whether mild or persuasive, could influence; wherefore our Lord, on this occasion, wisely treated them with a kind of wholesome severity; denouncing most dreadful woes against them, for being so zealous in the ceremonial institutions of religion, while they utterly neglected the precepts of morality. see on Matth