Charles Ellicott Commentary Matthew 6:13

"And bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil [one.]" — Matthew 6:13 (ASV)

Lead us not into temptation — The Greek word includes two thoughts represented in English by “trials”—that is, sufferings which test or try us—and “temptations,” which are allurements on the side of pleasure that tend to lead us into evil. Of these, “trials” is the dominant meaning in the language of the New Testament, and it is the one we should primarily consider here . We are taught that God does not lead us into the kind of temptation where lust meets opportunity (James 1:13–14); therefore, the idea of asking Him not to lead us into such a situation can seem jarring.

But trials of another kind—persecution, spiritual conflicts, agony of body or of spirit—may come to us as a test or a discipline. Should we shrink from these? An ideal stoicism or a perfected faith would say, “No, let us accept them and leave the outcome in our Father’s hands.” But those who are conscious of their weakness cannot shake off the thought that they might fail in the conflict. The cry of that conscious weakness is therefore, “Lead us not into such trials,” just as our Lord prayed, If it be possible, let this cup pass away from me (Matthew 26:39). The answer to the prayer may come either directly through exemption from the trial, through the way to escape (1 Corinthians 10:13), or in the form of strength to bear it.

It is hardly possible to read the prayer without thinking of the recent experience of “temptation” through which our Lord had passed. The memory of that trial, in all its terrible aspects, was still present with Him. In His tender love for His disciples, He taught them to pray that they might not be led into anything so awful.

Deliver us from evil — The Greek word can be grammatically either neuter (“evil” in the abstract) or masculine (the “evil one,” equivalent to the “devil”). The whole weight of New Testament language favors the latter meaning. In our Lord’s own teaching, we find the “evil one” in Matthew 13:19, Matthew 13:38, and John 17:15 (probably). In the writings of St. Paul (Ephesians 6:16; 2 Thessalonians 3:3) and St. John (1 John 2:13–14; 1 John 3:12; 1 John 5:18–19), this is obviously the only possible interpretation. Romans 12:9 and, possibly, John 17:15 are the only instances of the other meaning. In addition to this, the point just discussed leads us to connect our Lord’s words with His own experience. The prayer against temptation would not be complete without a reference to the Tempter, whose presence was felt in it. We may lawfully pray to be spared the trial. If it comes, there is still room for the prayer, “Deliver us from the power of him who is our enemy and Yours.”

For yours is the kingdom... — The entire clause is missing from the best manuscripts and the earliest versions, and it is left unnoticed by the early Church Fathers who comment on the rest of the prayer. Most recent editors have accordingly omitted it, viewing it as a probable addition. It was likely added first for the liturgical use of the prayer (following the pattern of most Jewish prayers) and then inserted by scribes to make the biblical text harmonize with the liturgies.