Matthew 6

• This verse begins the teaching in Matthew 6:2–18. Jesus explains that righteousness (living in line with God’s will) should not be done for public recognition. It should be offered as service to God.

• Righteous acts are actions that follow God’s way of living. Examples include:

  • giving gifts to those in need (6:2–4),

  • praying (6:5–15), and

  • fasting (6:16–18).

  Jesus encourages keeping these actions private to avoid seeking personal praise instead of honoring God (compare 5:16).

• The hypocrites: see study note on Matthew 23:13.

• a trumpet: they would blow these during important ceremonies, like times of public fasts.

Your Father … will reward you: This is true both now and at the final judgment, which is at the end of history (see Matthew 25:31–46).

When you pray: Jews prayed regularly at 9 am and 3 pm (see Acts 3:1). They often gathered for public prayer. Hypocrites purposely chose public places at these times so everyone would notice them.

Go into your inner room: Jesus is not opposed to group prayer (see Matthew 18:19–20; Luke 11:2–4). He tells his disciples not to use prayer to seek attention.

God cannot be persuaded by repeating words over and over. The Lord’s Prayer is a simple and authoritative model (Matthew 6:9–13), unlike the lengthy prayers of pagans.

• This is how you should pray: This introduces what is often called the Lord’s Prayer. Unlike the long and repeated prayers of pagan worshipers (6:7–8).

• Most Jewish prayers did not call God “Father.” But Jesus did so in nearly every prayer. The only exception is his cry on the cross (Mark 15:34).

• hallowed be Your name: This means that God’s name should be honored. In the Old Testament, God’s name was dishonored when his people sinned (Isaiah 29:22–24; Jeremiah 34:15–16; Ezekiel 39:7; Amos 2:7).

The Lord’s Prayer is similar to a typical Jewish prayer called the qaddish. Jesus taught this prayer to his disciples as a brief summary of their new faith.

• When the disciples of Jesus pray for God’s kingdom to come soon, they are asking for his justice, righteousness, peace, and mercy to be established.

• No one rejecting the will of God can enter God's presence (Matthew 7:21; 12:50; 21:28–32).

• on earth as it is in heaven: This probably refers to all three petitions, not just the third.

Give us this day our daily bread: A disciple can confidently ask God to provide for daily needs. Then the disciple can continue the work of the kingdom without worry (Matthew 6:25–34).

As we also have forgiven (see also Matthew 6:14–15; 18:21–35): Forgiving others shows that a person has repented and received new life from God. This makes our own forgiveness possible. Those who have experienced God’s forgiveness will also forgive. Jesus warns that people who refuse to forgive have not understood God’s mercy and may not have truly repented.

• And lead us not into temptation: Just as Jesus was tested (Matthew 4:1–11), temptation will test a disciple's character. Jesus encourages prayer for God's help to withstand the test (see 26:41; Psalm 141:4).

• from the evil one: This phrase can also be translated “from evil.” The first reading points to Satan, the one who tempts people (see James 1:13). The second reading points to sin in general.

• "for Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen": Some later manuscripts add a doxology (a short hymn of praise) at the end of the Lord’s Prayer. It was probably taken from 1 Chronicles 29:11–13 and used to shape the prayer for public worship.

People often connect prayer and fasting (Leviticus 23:27–32; Nehemiah 9:1–2; Zechariah 7:3–5; 8:19; Luke 18:12). Before the time of Jesus, some Israelites misused this practice (Isaiah 58:3–12).

Treasures in heaven: For Jews during the time of Jesus, this was a common image. Obeying God’s commands was seen as storing up treasures with God. The context (6:19; Luke 12:33) shows that Jesus was mainly referring to acts of charity.

• The eye is the lamp: The eye gives light to the body and helps guide the whole person.

• A "good" eye means a morally healthy outlook. It points to simple and wholehearted devotion to God (6:24). Here, it also means being generous.

The word translated "money" is traditionally translated mammon. This is an Aramaic term for profits or material possessions. God does not tolerate rivals, so Jesus often warns about the danger of gathering wealth (Matthew 13:22; 19:16–30; 26:14–16; 27:3–10; 28:11–15). This can become an idol (see Ephesians 5:5; Colossians 3:5). We must trust God to provide our needs (Matthew 4:3–4; 6:8, 11, 25–34; 7:7–11; 10:9–14; 14:15–21; 15:32–38). The community of disciples should support each other (6:2–4; 10:40–42; 19:21; 23:23–24; 25:31–46; 26:6–13; 27:57–61).

Jesus taught people to live without worry by trusting God to provide for them. His disciples abandoned everything (Matthew 4:18–22; 9:9; 10:5–14). Jesus encouraged them that God would provide their needs.

Jesus teaches by moving from lesser to greater: If God the Father cares for the birds (the lesser), he will surely care for his disciples (the greater). Because the disciples are much more valuable to him, they can trust that he will provide for their needs (see also Matthew 10:29–31).

Having little faith comes from not understanding your worth to God and how God's favor protects you.

• Gentiles: This word refers to people who do not know God and do not follow his will (see also Matthew 20:19).

• your heavenly Father knows: Prayer does not give God new information about needs. Prayer shows trust in God to provide what is needed.

Here, Jesus offers a positive alternative to worrying. His disciples should focus on their commitment to God and seek his kingdom through Christ (see Matthew 6:19–24). This should be their main concern.