Matthew Chapter 6

Instruction about Giving

(Deuteronomy 15:7-11)

1Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.

2Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 3But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: 4That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

The Lord's Prayer

(Luke 11:1-4)

5And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 6But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

7But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

9After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

11Give us this day our daily bread.

12And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. 14For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Proper Fasting

16Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 17But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; 18That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

Treasures in Heaven

(Matthew 13:44-46)

19Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

The Lamp of the Body

(Luke 11:33-36)

22The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. 23But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

24No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Do Not Worry

(Luke 12:22-34)

25Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? 26Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? 27Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? 28And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 29And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 31Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

34Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

King James Bible

Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

Giving to the Needy
(Deuteronomy 15:7–11)

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.

2 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. 3 But when you do merciful deeds, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand does, 4 so that your merciful deeds may be in secret, then your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

The Lord’s Prayer
(Luke 11:1–4)

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. 6 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.

7 In praying, don’t use vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their much speaking. 8 Therefore don’t be like them, for your Father knows what things you need, before you ask him.

9 Pray like this: ‘Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.

10 Let your Kingdom come. Let your will be done, as in heaven, so on earth.

11 Give us today our daily bread.

12 Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors.

13 Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.’ 14 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you don’t forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Proper Fasting

16 “Moreover when you fast, don’t be like the hypocrites, with sad faces. For they disfigure their faces, that they may be seen by men to be fasting. Most certainly I tell you, they have received their reward. 17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head, and wash your face; 18 so that you are not seen by men to be fasting, but by your Father who is in secret, and your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.

Treasures in Heaven
(Luke 12:32–34)

19 “Don’t lay up treasures for yourselves on the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consume, and where thieves don’t break through and steal; 21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

The Lamp of the Body
(Luke 11:33–36)

22 “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is sound, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eye is evil, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!

24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You can’t serve both God and Mammon.

Do Not Worry
(Luke 12:22–31)

25 Therefore, I tell you, don’t be anxious for your life: what you will eat, or what you will drink; nor yet for your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 See the birds of the sky, that they don’t sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns. Your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you of much more value than they? 27 “Which of you, by being anxious, can add one moment to his lifespan? 28 Why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They don’t toil, neither do they spin, 29 yet I tell you that even Solomon in all his glory was not dressed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today exists, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, won’t he much more clothe you, you of little faith? 31 “Therefore don’t be anxious, saying, ‘What will we eat?’, ‘What will we drink?’ or, ‘With what will we be clothed?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first God’s Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well.

34 Therefore don’t be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Each day’s own evil is sufficient.

Giving to the Needy
(Deuteronomy 15:7–11)

1 “Be careful not to perform your righteous acts a before men to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

2 So when you give to the needy, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

The Lord’s Prayer
(Luke 11:1–4)

5 And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

7 And when you pray, do not babble on like pagans, for they think that by their many words they will be heard. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

9 So then, this is how you should pray:

‘Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be Your name.

10 Your kingdom come,

Your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from the evil one. b’

14 For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours.

Proper Fasting

16 When you fast, do not be somber like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that your fasting will not be obvious to men, but only to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Treasures in Heaven
(Luke 12:32–34)

19 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust c destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

The Lamp of the Body
(Luke 11:33–36)

22 The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, d your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are bad, e your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

24 No one can serve two masters: Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Do Not Worry
(Luke 12:22–31)

25 Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns—and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? f

28 And why do you worry about clothes? Consider how the lilies of the field grow: They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was adorned like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

31 Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles strive after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God g and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.

34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own.

Footnotes:

1 a BYZ and TR charitable acts  or alms
13 b Or from evil ; BYZ and TR include For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.
19 c Or worm ; also in verse 20
22 d Literally If your eye is sound ; see Proverbs 22:9
23 e Literally if your eye is evil ; see Proverbs 23:6 and Proverbs 28:22
27 f Or a single cubit to his height ; a cubit was approximately 18 inches or 45 centimeters.
33 g SBL, WH, and NE seek first His kingdom ; see also Luke 12:31.

Instruction about Giving

(Deuteronomy 15:7-11)

1Take heed your kindness not to do before men, to be seen by them, and if not -- reward ye have not from your Father who is in the heavens;

2whenever, therefore, thou mayest do kindness, thou mayest not sound a trumpet before thee as the hypocrites do, in the synagogues, and in the streets, that they may have glory from men; verily I say to you -- they have their reward! 3'But thou, doing kindness, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doth, 4that thy kindness may be in secret, and thy Father who is seeing in secret Himself shall reward thee manifestly.

The Lord's Prayer

(Luke 11:1-4)

5'And when thou mayest pray, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites, because they love in the synagogues, and in the corners of the broad places -- standing -- to pray, that they may be seen of men; verily I say to you, that they have their reward. 6But thou, when thou mayest pray, go into thy chamber, and having shut thy door, pray to thy Father who is in secret, and thy Father who is seeing in secret, shall reward thee manifestly.

7'And -- praying -- ye may not use vain repetitions like the nations, for they think that in their much speaking they shall be heard, 8be ye not therefore like to them, for your Father doth know those things that ye have need of before your asking him;

9thus therefore pray ye: 'Our Father who art in the heavens! hallowed be Thy name.

10'Thy reign come: Thy will come to pass, as in heaven also on the earth.

11'Our appointed bread give us to-day.

12'And forgive us our debts, as also we forgive our debtors.

13'And mayest Thou not lead us to temptation, but deliver us from the evil, because Thine is the reign, and the power, and the glory -- to the ages. Amen. 14For, if ye may forgive men their trespasses He also will forgive you -- your Father who is in the heavens; 15but if ye may not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Proper Fasting

16'And when ye may fast, be ye not as the hypocrites, of sour countenances, for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear to men fasting; verily I say to you, that they have their reward. 17'But thou, fasting, anoint thy head, and wash thy face, 18that thou mayest not appear to men fasting, but to thy Father who is in secret, and thy Father, who is seeing in secret, shall reward thee manifestly.

Treasures in Heaven

(Matthew 13:44-46)

19'Treasure not up to yourselves treasures on the earth, where moth and rust disfigure, and where thieves break through and steal, 20but treasure up to yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth disfigure, and where thieves do not break through nor steal, 21for where your treasure is, there will be also your heart.

The Lamp of the Body

(Luke 11:33-36)

22'The lamp of the body is the eye, if, therefore, thine eye may be perfect, all thy body shall be enlightened, 23but if thine eye may be evil, all thy body shall be dark; if, therefore, the light that is in thee is darkness -- the darkness, how great!

24'None is able to serve two lords, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will hold to the one, and despise the other; ye are not able to serve God and Mammon.

Do Not Worry

(Luke 12:22-34)

25'Because of this I say to you, be not anxious for your life, what ye may eat, and what ye may drink, nor for your body, what ye may put on. Is not the life more than the nourishment, and the body than the clothing? 26look to the fowls of the heaven, for they do not sow, nor reap, nor gather into storehouses, and your heavenly Father doth nourish them; are not ye much better than they? 27'And who of you, being anxious, is able to add to his age one cubit? 28and about clothing why are ye anxious? consider well the lilies of the field; how do they grow? they do not labour, nor do they spin; 29and I say to you, that not even Solomon in all his glory was arrayed as one of these. 30'And if the herb of the field, that to-day is, and to-morrow is cast to the furnace, God doth so clothe -- not much more you, O ye of little faith? 31therefore ye may not be anxious, saying, What may we eat? or, What may we drink? or, What may we put round? 32for all these do the nations seek for, for your heavenly Father doth know that ye have need of all these; 33but seek ye first the reign of God and His righteousness, and all these shall be added to you.

34Be not therefore anxious for the morrow, for the morrow shall be anxious for its own things; sufficient for the day is the evil of it.

Giving in Secret

¹ "Be careful," the Messiah warned, "that you don't perform acts of kindness just to be seen and praised by others. If that's your motivation, you're forfeiting any reward from your Father in heaven. ² So when you give to those in need, don't announce it with fanfare like those who care more about their reputation than compassion. They make sure everyone in the synagogues and streets notices their generosity. I tell you the truth - their public acclaim is the only reward they'll ever receive. ³ Instead, when you give to help others, do it with such quiet humility that your left hand isn't aware of what your right hand is doing. ⁴ Keep your giving between you and God alone. Your Father, who sees what you do in secret with a pure heart, will personally reward your genuine compassion.

Praying in Secret

⁵ And when you pray, don't be like those who turn prayer into a performance, standing prominently in synagogues and on street corners to ensure everyone sees their apparent devotion. I tell you the truth - their audience's admiration is the only reward they'll receive. ⁶ But when you pray, find a quiet place alone. Close the door to minimize distractions and pray in secret to your Father. Then your Father, who knows your heart's deepest longings, will see your sincere devotion and respond. ⁷ Don't fall into mindless repetition when you pray, piling up empty phrases like those who think more words will get God's attention. They don't realize He already knows their needs. ⁸ Don't imitate their shallow approach. Your Father knows exactly what you need before you even ask Him. ⁹ Instead, pray with this heart:

"Our Father in the heavens,
Your name stands alone in holiness and majesty.
¹⁰ May Your kingdom reign become our earthly reality.
May Your perfect will be accomplished,
Here on earth,
Just as it is in heaven.
¹¹ Provide us today with all we need for body and soul.
¹² Forgive our failures to love You and others as we should,
Even as we extend that same forgiveness to those who have wounded us.
¹³ Guide us away from situations that would tempt us to compromise our faith,
And protect us from the Evil One who seeks to destroy us.
For Yours is the kingdom, power and glory forever.
Amen."

Forgiveness and Fasting

¹⁴ Remember - if you forgive others when they wound you, your heavenly Father will also forgive your failures. ¹⁵ But if you withhold forgiveness from others, your Father cannot extend His forgiveness to you while your heart remains hardened.

¹⁶ When you fast, don't make it obvious by looking disheveled and drawing attention to your apparent sacrifice like those seeking praise for their piety. I tell you the truth - public recognition is their only reward. ¹⁷ Instead, when you fast, maintain your normal appearance - wash your face, comb your hair, dress as usual. ¹⁸ Don't let others know you're fasting. It's between you and your Father alone. And your Father, who sees what you do in secret with pure motives, will reward your genuine devotion.

Treasures in Heaven vs. Treasures Below

¹⁹ Don't waste your life accumulating material wealth that moths and rust will destroy, or thieves can steal. ²⁰ Instead, invest in eternal treasures in heaven - acts of love, faith, and service that have lasting significance. These spiritual riches can never be destroyed or taken away. ²¹ For wherever you invest your greatest treasure, that's where your heart's deepest devotion will be found.

²² Your eyes are like windows letting light into your body. When your spiritual vision is clear and focused on truth and generosity, your whole being is filled with light and purpose. ²³ But when your spiritual sight becomes clouded by darkness and greed, your whole life is impacted by that inner darkness. If the light within you is actually darkness, how deep that darkness becomes! ²⁴ No one can fully serve two masters. You'll either resent one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money or fame as your ultimate purpose.

²⁵ That's why I tell you: Release your anxiety about daily needs - food, drink, clothing. Life consists of far more than just physical provisions, and your body is more than just something to dress up. ²⁶ Look at the birds soaring overhead - they don't plant, harvest, or store food, yet your heavenly Father provides for them faithfully. Aren't you far more precious to Him than they are? ²⁷ Can all your worrying add even a single hour to your life? Why waste the life you have with anxiety?

²⁸ And why stress about clothing? Notice how the wildflowers grow in the fields. They don't exhaust themselves with work or worry about what to wear. ²⁹ Yet even King Solomon in all his magnificent royal robes wasn't dressed as beautifully as these simple flowers. ³⁰ If God clothes temporary wildflowers with such splendor - here today and fuel for the fire tomorrow - won't He certainly provide for you? Why do you have such small faith in His care?

³¹ So stop worrying about everyday needs, asking: 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' ³² These are the things that consume those who don't know God as Father. But your heavenly Father knows everything you need. ³³ Make knowing God and living in His kingdom righteousness your highest priority. Center your life on what matters to Him, and He'll provide everything else you truly need. ³⁴ So release your anxiety about tomorrow - tomorrow will take care of itself. Each day has enough challenges of its own without borrowing trouble from the future.

The F.O.G Commentary:

1What is the meaning of Matthew 6?

1.1Context of Matthew 6

1.2Ancient Key Word Study

1.3Matthew 6 Unique Insights

1.4Question the Text

1.5Matthew 6 Connections to Yeshua

1.6Matthew 6 Scriptural Echoes

1.7Matthew 6 Devotional

1.8Did You Know

What is the meaning of Matthew 6?

Have you ever caught yourself peeking at who noticed when you did something good? Perhaps checking how many likes your charitable post received, or feeling a hint of pride when someone spotted you volunteering? In Matthew 6, Jesus addresses this very human tendency with a challenge that still makes us squirm today: What if the most powerful acts of spirituality are the ones no one else ever sees? Like a master physician diagnosing the hidden diseases of religious performance, Jesus peels back the layers of our public piety to expose a revolutionary truth – that true spirituality thrives in secret, where only God’s eyes reach.

Through teachings on generosity, prayer, and fasting, Jesus invites us into what might be called the ‘spiritual underground’ – a hidden realm where authentic faith flourishes away from the spotlight. He introduces a radical new way of relating to God that shattered religious conventions: imagine addressing the Creator of the universe as “Father,” approaching Him with the intimate trust of a child rather than the formal posturing of a religious professional. This isn’t just a lesson in prayer and piety; it’s an invitation to transform our entire understanding of what it means to live in relationship with God.

Context of Matthew 6

Within the broader Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), Chapter 6 serves as the central discourse where Yeshua moves from addressing external behaviors and attitudes in Chapter 5 to examining the internal motivations of the heart. This progression is crucial as it reveals the Messiah’s primary concern with transforming His followers from the inside out.

The teachings in this chapter directly challenged both the religious establishment of Second Temple Judaism and common Greco-Roman philosophical ideas about virtue and piety. While many rabbis taught about proper religious observance, Yeshua uniquely emphasized the Father’s intimate involvement in secret devotion. This chapter bridges the gap between the revolutionary attitudes described in the Beatitudes and their practical application in daily spiritual disciplines.

This message resonated deeply with Matthew’s primarily Jewish audience while also speaking to Gentile believers, as it addressed universal human tendencies toward religious showmanship and materialism. The chapter’s emphasis on genuine spirituality over performative religion continues to challenge believers across all cultural contexts.

Ancient Key Word Study

Righteousness (δικαιοσύνη/dikaiosynē) – This term in 6:1 sets the theme for the entire chapter. In Jewish thought, tzedakah (righteousness) was often synonymous with charitable giving. The word implies both right standing before God and right action toward others, emphasizing that true righteousness must flow from proper relationship with the Father.
Reward (μισθός/misthos) – Used multiple times throughout the chapter, this word carried significant weight in both Jewish and Greco-Roman contexts. While commonly associated with payment for services, Yeshua reframes it as the Father’s response to sincere devotion rather than earned compensation.
Secret (κρυπτός/kryptos) – This word appears repeatedly in the chapter’s first half, establishing a crucial contrast between public performance and private devotion. The term suggests not merely hiding something but creating an intimate space for relationship with God.
Father (πατήρ/patēr) – Used 12 times in this chapter alone, this intimate term for God was revolutionary in its frequency and application. While Jews knew God as Father, Yeshua’s usage suggests an unprecedented level of personal relationship and care.
Daily Bread (ἐπιούσιος/epiousios) – This rare word, found only in the Lord’s Prayer, likely derives from “for the coming day.” It echoes the manna provision in Exodus while pointing to both physical and spiritual sustenance from God.
Kingdom (βασιλεία/basileia) – The word encompasses both God’s sovereign rule and the realm where His authority is acknowledged. In this chapter, it represents the primary focus that should orient all aspects of life.
Mammon (μαμωνᾶς/mamonas) – An Aramaic loan word representing not just money but the entire system of material wealth and its influence. Yeshua personifies it as a rival deity competing for human loyalty.
Anxious (μεριμνάω/merimnaō) – The term implies being drawn in different directions, depicting anxiety as a form of divided loyalty that contradicts trust in the Father’s provision.

Matthew 6 Unique Insights

The structure of Matthew 6 follows a sophisticated chiastic pattern that would have been readily apparent to ancient Jewish audiences. The chapter moves from external religious practices (giving, prayer, fasting) to internal heart attitudes (treasures, anxiety, trust), with the Lord’s Prayer serving as the central pivot point. This literary structure reinforces the message that external actions must flow from internal transformation.

The Didache, an early Christian teaching document, reveals that the early church understood this chapter as foundational for discipleship training. They particularly emphasized the thrice-daily recitation of the Lord’s Prayer, suggesting they saw it not merely as a template but as a means of spiritual formation.

Can a Bible Come to Life over a Coffee?

This biblical entry has a unique origin story. Find out how it came to be—and why your visit today is about so much more than words. Get your coffee ready—God’s about to visit. But will you open the door for Him?

I’m ready

The rabbinical literature of the period, particularly the Mishnah, shows that many of Yeshua’s teachings here directly addressed contemporary debates about proper religious practice. For instance, the discussion of public versus private giving parallels debates in the tractate Peah about anonymous charitable giving being superior to public donations.

The chapter’s teachings about anxiety and provision must be understood against the backdrop of the Roman occupation and the precarious economic situation of many in the Holy Land. Yeshua’s assurance of the Father’s care wasn’t abstract theology but practical hope for people living under oppression and uncertainty.

Question the Text

Why does Jesus start three consecutive teachings (about giving, prayer, and fasting) with “when you” rather than “if you”? What does this assumption tell us about what Jesus expected of his followers?
Why does Jesus give us the Lord’s Prayer as a model, but then never mentions using it again in the Gospels? What might this suggest about how Jesus viewed structured versus spontaneous prayer?
In the Lord’s Prayer, why does “give us this day our daily bread” come after requests about God’s kingdom and will? What might this ordering tell us about Jesus’ priorities for prayer?
Why does Jesus single out money (mammon) as the alternative master to God, rather than power, pleasure, or other potential idols? What might this tell us about the unique spiritual danger of wealth?
When Jesus says “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also,” why does he put treasure first and heart second? What might this order suggest about the relationship between our actions and our affections?
Why does Jesus use birds and flowers as examples of God’s provision, rather than more dramatic examples from Israel’s history like the manna in the wilderness? What might this choice of everyday examples tell us about how Jesus wanted his followers to view God’s care?
Why does Jesus call worry about necessities a characteristic of Gentiles? What does this suggest about how he viewed the relationship between faith and ethnicity?
When Jesus says “seek first the kingdom,” why does he add “and his righteousness”? Aren’t these the same thing, or what distinction might he be making?

Matthew 6 Connections to Yeshua

The Lord’s Prayer serves as a profound revelation of Yeshua’s messianic mission. His authorization to address God as “Our Father” flows from His unique relationship as the Son, through whom believers receive adoption into God’s family. The prayer’s request for God’s Kingdom to come foreshadows the Messiah’s ultimate establishment of His reign.

Throughout the chapter, Yeshua demonstrates His divine authority by reinterpreting traditional Jewish practices without abolishing them. His “but I say to you” teachings reveal Him as more than a rabbi – He speaks as the divine Son with authority to reveal the Father’s heart. This authority culminates in His promise of the Father’s provision, which He would ultimately demonstrate through His sacrifice on the cross, providing eternal treasure in heaven.

Matthew 6 Scriptural Echoes

The themes of this chapter resonate deeply with Old Testament wisdom literature. The teachings about anxiety and provision echo Psalm 55:22 and Psalm 127:2. The emphasis on sincere worship over external performance mirrors Isaiah 58:1-14 and Amos 5:21-24.

The Lord’s Prayer echoes numerous Old Testament passages: “hallowed be Your name” recalls Ezekiel 36:23, while “Your kingdom come” reflects Daniel 2:44. The petition for daily bread evokes the manna narrative in Exodus 16.

Matthew 6 Devotional

This chapter calls us to examine our hearts regarding both religious practice and daily concerns. Are we performing for human approval, or seeking intimate communion with our Father? The invitation is to experience the freedom of secret devotion, where we’re liberated from the burden of maintaining appearances and can simply rest in the Father’s love.

Consider implementing a regular practice of “secret” giving or prayer, known only to you and God. When anxiety threatens to overwhelm, turn each worry into a prayer, remembering the Father’s intimate knowledge of your needs. Let the Lord’s Prayer become not just words to recite but a framework for restructuring your priorities around God’s Kingdom.

Did You Know

The phrase “daily bread” in the Lord’s Prayer may be connected to the practice of workers receiving their wages daily in ancient times, emphasizing dependence on God’s provision one day at a time.
The Jewish custom of praying three times daily facing Jerusalem likely influenced Yeshua’s teaching about private prayer, offering a counterpoint to public displays of piety.
The reference to “treasures in heaven” paralleled rabbinical teachings about storing up merit through good deeds, but Yeshua reframed it in terms of relationship rather than merit.
The imagery of the “evil eye” in verse 23 was a common Middle Eastern metaphor for stinginess or greed, while a “good eye” represented generosity.
The term for “grass of the field” specifically referred to wild flowers that were gathered and used as fuel for bread ovens, making the illustration particularly meaningful to His audience.
The practice of disfiguring faces while fasting (verse 16) sometimes involved putting ashes on the face, a custom Yeshua critiqued for its theatrical nature.
The structure of the Lord’s Prayer parallels ancient Jewish prayers, particularly the Kaddish, while introducing revolutionary concepts about God’s fatherhood and kingdom.

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Bible Themes

Jean Paul Joseph

After a dramatic early morning encounter with King Jesus, I just couldn’t put my Bible down. The F.O.G took a hold of me and this website was born. What is the F.O.G?

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