When
you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Most certainly, I tell you, they have received their reward.
Matthew 6:5
Matthew 6 [1.] “Be careful that you don’t do your charitable giving before men, to be seen by them, or else you have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Therefore when you do merciful deeds, don’t sound a trumpet before yourself, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may get glory from men. Most certainly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you do merciful deeds, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand does, so that your merciful deeds may be in secret, then your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
Matthew 6 [5.] “When you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Most certainly, I tell you, they have received their reward. But you, when you pray, enter into your inner room, and having shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. In praying, don’t use vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their much speaking. Therefore don’t be like them, for your Father knows what things you need, before you ask him. Pray like this: ‘Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. Let your Kingdom come. Let your will be done, as in heaven, so on earth. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors. Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.’
Matthew 6 [14.] “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you don’t forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Meaning:
After giving to the needy, Jesus turns to the second act of devotion: prayer. Prayer is the most personal conversation a person can have with God, yet even prayer can be turned into a performance. Jesus warns his disciples not to pray in order to impress people.
- “You shall not be as the hypocrites”
Devout Jews prayed at set times each day, and Acts mentions “the hour of prayer, the ninth hour” (Acts 3:1-2). Standing was a normal posture for prayer, and praying in the synagogue was right and good. The problem was not the place or the posture, but the motive. Some timed their prayers so that the hour found them in public places, where others could see their devotion.
- “That they may be seen by men”
Jesus warned elsewhere against the scribes who “for a pretense make long prayers” (Mark 12:40). Such prayer is addressed more to the listeners than to God. It fits Isaiah’s words that Jesus quoted: “This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me” (Mark 7:6).
In the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, the Pharisee “stood and prayed to himself,” listing his own virtues, while the tax collector humbly asked for mercy. It was the tax collector who “went down to his house justified” (Luke 18:9-14).
- “They have received their reward”
As with showy giving (Matthew 6:2), the reward is paid in full on the spot: a reputation for piety. God does not add anything to it, because the prayer was never truly offered to him.
The Significance of Matthew 6:5
- Praying to an audience of One
Jesus’ remedy follows at once: “enter into your inner room, and having shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret” (Matthew 6:6). Real prayer seeks God’s presence, not people’s approval. “Yahweh is near to all those who call on him, to all who call on him in truth” (Psalm 145:18).
- Public prayer with a sincere heart
Jesus does not forbid praying aloud in church or with others; he himself prayed in public. The test is whether our hearts are directed to God or to the listeners.
Cross-References:
Matthew 6:6: "But you, when you pray, enter into your inner room," The secret place of prayer.
Mark 12:40: "and for a pretense make long prayers." Prayer as display.
Psalm 145:18: "Yahweh is near to all those who call on him," God hears sincere prayer.
Conclusion: In Matthew 6:5 Jesus warns against praying in order to be seen. Those who make prayer a performance receive only the admiration of people. Jesus calls his disciples to pray sincerely to their Father, who hears those who call on him in truth.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible