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Translation
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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
Nor even at this did He stop, but proceeds yet further, by other motives also increasing their disgust. For as above He set forth publicans and heathens, by the quality of the person shaming their imitators, so also in this place the hypocrites. "Therefore when thou doest thine alms," saith He, "do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do." Not that they had trumpets, but He means to display the greatness of their frenzy, by the use of this figure of speech, deriding and making a show of them hereby. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
"Therefore when thou givest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by men." The hypocrites did not actually have trumpets; the Lord is here deriding their thoughts, for they wanted their almsgiving to be trumpeted. "Hypocrites" are those who differ in appearance from what they really are. These men, therefore, appear to be merciful and generous, but are in fact the opposite. Verily I say unto you, They have received their reward. …
Western Saints
Augustine of Hippo
Above the Lord had spoken of righteousness in general. He now pursues it through its different parts. (ubi sup.) Thus what He says, Do not sound a trumpet before thee, refers to what He had said above, Take heed that ye do not your righteousness before men. …
Jerome
He who sounds a trumpet before him when he does alms is a hypocrite. Whence he adds, as the hypocrites do. A reward not of God, but of themselves, for they receive praise of men, for the sake of which it was that they practised their virtues.
Gregory the Dialogist
It should be known, that there are some who wear the dress of sanctity, and are not able to work out the merit of perfection, yet who must in no wise be numbered among the hypocrites, because it is one thing to sin from weakness, another from crafty affectation.
Translation