Matthew 6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 6:13

And lead us not into temptation ,.... Such a petition as this is often to be observed in the prayers of the Jews F1 Seder Tephillot, fol. 3. 1. Ed. Basil. fol. 4. 2. Ed. Amstelod. Shaare Zion, fol. 73. 1. T. Bab. Beracot, fol. 60. 2. , אל תביאני , "do not lead me" neither into sin, nor into transgression and iniquity, ולא לידי נסיון , "nor into temptation", or "into the hands of temptation";' that is, into the power of it, so as to be overcome by it, and sink under it; in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 6:14

For if ye forgive men their trespasses ,.... Christ here refers to the petition in Matthew 6:12 which is enforced with this reason and argument, "as", or "for", so Luke 11:4 "we forgive our debtors"; which he repeats and explains: and the reason why he singles out this particularly is, because he knew the Jews were a people very subject to revenge; and were very hardly brought to forgive any injuries done them: wherefore Christ presses it upon them closely to "forgive men their... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 6:15

But if you forgive not men their trespasses ,.... On the other hand, where men are not of a forgiving temper to their fellow creatures and fellow Christians, how can they expect forgiveness at the hands of God? or what sense of pardoning grace can there be upon their minds? Had they any right apprehensions of the grace and goodness of God, in the forgiveness of their sins, this would influence their minds, and engage their hearts to forgive such who have offended them: wherefore, where this... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 6:16

Moreover when ye fast ,.... This is to be understood, not so much of their public stated fasts, and which were by divine appointment, as of their private fasts; which, with the Jews, were very frequent and numerous, and particularly every Monday and Thursday; see Luke 18:12 in which they affected great severity, and is here condemned by Christ: be not as the hypocrites , the Scribes and Pharisees, of a sad countenance ; who put on very mournful airs, and dismal looks; made wry... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 6:17

But thou, when thou fastest ,.... Christ allows of fasting, but what is of a quite different kind from that of the Jews; which lay not in an outward abstinence from food, and other conveniences of life, and refreshments of nature; but in an abstinence from sin, in acknowledgment and confession of it; and in the exercise of faith and hope in God, as a God pardoning iniquity, transgression and sin; wherefore cheerfulness, and a free use of the creatures, without an abuse of them, best became... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 6:18

That thou appear not unto men to fast ,.... Which is just the reverse of the hypocrites, the Scribes and Pharisees; and quite contrary to the customs of the Jews, who when they fasted, particularly on their noted fasts F12 Misn. Taanith, c. 2. sect. 1. , "brought out the ark into the street of the city, and put burnt ashes upon it, and upon the head of the prince, and upon the head of the president of the sanhedrim, and every man upon his own head.' All which was done, to be seen... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 6:19

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth ,.... Meaning either treasures that are of an earthly nature and kind, the more valuable and excellent things of the earth, worldly wealth and riches; or the things and places, in which these are laid up, as bags, chests, or coffers, barns and other treasuries, private or public. Christ here dissuades from covetousness, and worldly mindedness; an anxious care and concern, to hoard up plenty of worldly things for themselves, for time to come,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 6:20

But lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven ,.... That is, either be concerned for, and seek after heavenly treasure, the riches of glory, the joys and glories of another world, which infinitely excel everything that is valuable on earth; and which can never be corrupted, or taken away: or rather, lay up your earthly treasures in heaven; that is, put them into the hands of God in heaven; and this is done, by liberally communicating to the poor; by which means men "provide themselves bags... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 6:21

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. This seems to be a proverbial expression, and contains in it another reason, dissuading from worldly mindedness; because of the danger the heart is in of being ensnared and ruined thereby: and the sense of it is, if your treasure is on earth, and lies in earthly things, your hearts will be set upon them, and be in them, in your bags, your coffers and storehouses; and so your souls will be in danger of being lost; which loss will be... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 6:22

The light of the body is the eye ,.... Or, the "candle of the body is the eye"; for the eye is that in the body, as a candle is in the house; by the light of it, the several members of the body perform their office; and what is said of the eye of the body, is transferred to the eye of the mind: if therefore thine eye be single : that is, if thy mind be liberal, generous, and bountiful: for Christ is still upon the same subject of liberality, and against covetousness; and here speaks... read more

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