"... Among early Christian proponents of atoning almsgiving, Luke 11:41, along with 1 Peter 4:8, is one of the most oft-cited texts among the writings that came to be called the “New Testament” in support of the notion that the practice of ἐλεημοσύνη can cleanse sin. In Jesus’ conversation with an unnamed Pharisee at a meal hosted by that Pharisee, Jesus responds to his host’s astonishment that he does not wash before the meal English translations of Luke 11:41, perhaps reflecting a concern lest the text be read to suggest that almsgiving itself purifies, have often struggled over the phrase τὰ ἐνόντα δότε ἐλεημοσύνην, generally preferring to view the construction as a double accusative of object-complement so that Jesus enjoins giving as alms the things inside (e.g., ESV: “But give as alms those things that are within”) or giving alms in expression of what is truly within those commissioned to give (e.g., CEB: “Therefore, give to those in need from the core of who you are and you will be clean all over”). Yet careful attention to the narrative context suggests that translations like the ESV (“give as alms those things that are within”) make little sense, since Jesus has just said in verse 39 that the inside of the Pharisees is full of greed and wickedness (τὸ δὲ ἔσωθεν ὑμῶν γέμει ἁρπαγῆς καὶ πονηρίας). How can greed and wickedness be given as alms? ..."