Matthew 6:8 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

NIV: Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

NASB: So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

CSB: Don’t be like them, because your Father knows the things you need before you ask him.

NLT: Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!

KJV: Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

NKJV: “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.

Jesus has turned to the topic of prayer in His Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1–2). In the prior chapter, He emphasized that inner thoughts are as much a part of righteousness as outward actions (Matthew 5:20). He even applied that to good deeds—noting that selfish motivations undo the point of good works (Matthew 6:1). Recently, He continued that theme with comments about prayer. Christians are not meant to pray with the intent to impress others. That makes you a hypocrite, and you will receive no reward from God for that (Matthew 6:5–6). Nor does God approve the pattern of the pagans who mindlessly repeat words and phrases over and over, thinking that will make them more likely to be heard (Matthew 6:7).

God does not need, want, or ask for mindlessly repeated prayers. We don't need to use just the right words for Him to understand (Romans 8:26). What we do need is to communicate in sincerity and humility. God knows what we need before we even ask. We can speak to Him simply and openly, and He will hear, understand, and respond (Hebrews 4:15–16).

To clarify these teachings even further, Jesus will offer a model prayer in the following verses (Matthew 6:9–13).

Matthew 6:7–16 follows Jesus' instruction about praying behind closed doors; He now teaches how to pray. Christ denounces the use of mindless repetition or meaningless jargon. God doesn't need filler words, and He doesn't need us to repeat ourselves in order to be heard. Jesus then models a simple, authentic prayer, now famously referred to as the Lord's Prayer. It is addressed to God the Father and begins by declaring His holiness and asking for His will to be accomplished on earth. This model prayer also makes personal requests for daily food, forgiveness of sin, and deliverance from temptation and evil. Jesus then underscores part of that prayer by saying those who want God's forgiveness must forgive others.

The Sermon on the Mount continues in chapter 6, which is entirely composed of the words of Christ. Jesus teaches that God rewards deeds motivated by sincere devotion to Him, not by approval from other people. He teaches a simple and authentic model prayer. Christ warns against stockpiling money and possessions on earth. Instead, believers should make choices that store up treasure in heaven. A person's top priority can either be God, or money, but cannot be both. Along with that, Jesus says believers should fight against anxiety about daily needs. The heavenly Father knows what we need. All we need to do is pursue His kingdom and righteousness; He will take care of our needs, one day at a time.

Chapter 5 began Matthew's telling of the Sermon on the Mount. In that passage, Jesus pointed out that thoughts and attitudes are part of righteousness, just as much as actions. In Chapter 6, He explains how good deeds are only righteous when done out of sincere devotion to God, rather than for other people's approval. He also provides a model for prayer. Jesus explains how excessive worry, such as over money, interferes with faith in God. Knowing that God loves us should lead believers to trust Him, not to be anxious. Chapter 6 is one of the few chapters of the New Testament entirely composed of the words of Christ. In chapter 7 Jesus will introduce additional themes such as appropriate judgment, trust in God, and treatment of others.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.