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Verse Takeaways
1
Motive, Not Location
Commentators unanimously agree that Jesus is not forbidding public prayer itself. The critical issue is the motive. Praying in a synagogue or even on a street corner is not the sin; the sin is performing these acts with the primary intention 'to be seen by men.' The focus of prayer must be genuine communion with God, not seeking a reputation for piety from an audience.
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Matthew
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Commentaries
13
Albert Barnes
On Matthew 6:5
18th Century
Theologian
And when you pray, etc. Hypocrites manifested the same spirit about prayer as alms-giving: it was done in public places.
The word
AT Robertson
On Matthew 6:5
In the synagogues and in the corners of the streets (εν ταις συναγωγαις κα εν ταις γωνιαις των πλατειων). These were the usual pla…
Charles Spurgeon
On Matthew 6:3–5
19th Century
Preacher
But when thou doest alms let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in …
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Expositor's Bible Commentary
On Matthew 6:5
In his second example, Jesus assumes that his disciples will pray, but he forbids the prayers of “hypocrites” (see comment on v.2). Prayer had a pr…
John Calvin
On Matthew 6:5
16th Century
Theologian
When you pray, he now gives the same instruction as to prayer, which he had formerly given as to alms. It is a gross and…
John Gill
On Matthew 6:5
17th Century
Pastor
And when you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites ,
&c.] As the Scribes and Pharisees; whose posture in prayer, t…
Matthew Henry
On Matthew 6:5–8
17th Century
Minister
It is taken for granted that all who are disciples of Christ pray. You may as soon find a living man who does not breathe, as a living Christian wh…
Thomas Aquinas
On Matthew 6:5–8
13th Century
Philosopher
And when you pray. Above, regarding the work of almsgiving, the Lord showed that it ought not to be done for human glory.…