Matthew 6:5 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 6:5-8

Matthew only. read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 6:5-8

As to the duty of prayer. As, in those duties of religion which take the shape of charitable action towards man, the first law of all is that they be rendered with purity of motive and with directness of aim, free from self-consciousness and free from consciousness, either morbid or calculated upon, of the gaze of others, so certainly in that duty (identical at the same time with highest privilege) which marks the intelligent personal approach of men to God, viz. their approach in prayer, is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 6:5-8

Prayer. The duty of prayer is assumed. To be without prayer is to be without religion. "Behold, he prayeth," is another way of saying," He has become a Christian" ( Acts 9:11 ). Prayer is the language and homage of dependence. The idea is that of coming to God for a blessing with a vow ( προσεχῦη , from πρὸς ," with," and εὔχη ," a vow"), viz. to fulfil the conditions upon which his blessings are promised. The elements of acceptable prayer are— I. SINCERITY . 1 . The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 6:5-15

Prayer. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 6:5

And when thou prayest ... - Hypocrites manifested the same spirit about prayer as almsgiving; it was done in public places. The word “synagogues,” here, clearly means, not the place of worship of that name, but places where many were accustomed to assemble - near the markets or courts, where they could be seen of many. Our Lord evidently could not mean to condemn prayers in the synagogues. It might be said that he condemned ostentatious prayer there, while they neglected secret prayer; but this... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 6:5-6

Matthew 6:5-6. When thou prayest Which, if thou art my disciple indeed, thou wilt often do: thou shalt not be as the hypocrites Praying out of vain ostentation. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues In the sight of numbers of people. Of the synagogues see note on Matthew 4:23. And in the corners of the streets Where several ways meet, that they may be seen of men May be beheld by many, and admired as persons of singular piety. Verily, they have their reward This... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 6:1-18

41. Giving, praying and fasting (Matthew 6:1-18; Luke 11:1-4)If the followers of Jesus give help to the needy with the aim of winning people’s praise, their giving is of no value in God’s sight. They will have their reward in the praise they seek, but will miss out on any reward from God. They should keep matters of giving secret from even their closest friends (Matthew 6:1-4).Prayer also is a private matter. Believers do not need to make a show of prayerful zeal, as if their heavenly Father... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 6:5

AS TO PRAYER. thou prayest, thou. All the critical Greek texts read "ye pray, ye". prayest . . . pray. Greek. proseuchomai. See App-134 . love = are fond of. Greek. phileo. App-135 . streets = open places. that = so that. be seen = appear. Greek. phaino . App-106 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 6:5

And when ye pray, ye 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 of men.As in the matter of alms-giving, it is not a case of "if" but "when." Prayer is a vital and constant condition of the truly spiritual life. In this passage with verses following, Christ exposes the entire area of hypocritical and ostentatious prayers. The proper exercise of the privilege of prayer is violated (1) by the choice of... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Matthew 6:5

Matthew 6:5. And when thou prayest— Our Lord is here treating of private prayer; for which reason his rules must not be extended to public devotion. The Jews of old observed stated hours of prayer: the Scripture mentions three of them; first, the third hour, answering to our nine o'clock, when the morning sacrifice was offered: secondly, the sixth hour; answering to our twelve o'clock. At this hour we find Peter praying on the house-top, Acts 10:9.; thirdly, the ninth hour, answering to our... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 6:5-8

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 6:5-8

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 6:5-8

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 6:5-15

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 6:5

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 6:5-6

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 6:1-18

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 6:5

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 6:5

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Matthew 6:5

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