Jesus tells His hearers to imagine bringing a gift to the altar and, at that moment, remembering that another person has something against them.
Jesus in Context
Bringing a Gift to the Altar
Jesus pictures a Jewish worshiper bringing an offering to the Jerusalem Temple altar and interrupting the act to seek reconciliation.
Introduction
Historical and Cultural Context
The altar in the saying is the Jerusalem Temple altar rather than a synagogue or local place of worship. Sacrificial offerings were brought to the Temple as part of Jewish worship. Jesus pictures the worshiper reaching the point of presenting the offering and then leaving it temporarily in order to seek reconciliation.
Why It Matters
The Temple setting gives the saying much of its force. Jesus places reconciliation with another person ahead of completing a solemn religious act already in progress.