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"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 assuredly, I tell you, they have received their reward.
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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14
18th Century
Presbyterian
And when you pray, etc. Hypocrites manifested the same spirit about prayer as alms-giving: it was done in public places.
The word
In the synagogues and in the corners of the streets (εν ταις συναγωγαις κα εν ταις γωνιαις των πλατειων). These were the usual pla…
19th Century
Anglican
Standing in the synagogues — The Jewish custom, more or less prevalent throughout the East and retained for a time at certain seas…
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Baptist
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 …
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…
16th Century
Protestant
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…
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17th Century
Reformed Baptist
And when you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites , &c.] As the Scribes and Pharisees; whose posture in prayer, t…
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…
13th Century
Catholic
And when you pray. Above, regarding the work of almsgiving, the Lord showed that it ought not to be done for human glory.…
