Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

MATTHEW 6:10KJV
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Matthew 6:10 (KJV)

What does Matthew 6:10 mean?

Matthew 6:10 is a request for God’s rule to be established and for what God wants to be carried out on earth. Jesus places these requests in a prayer addressed to God as Father.

Jesus is teaching his followers how to pray. After the prayer honors God’s name in verse 9, Matthew 6:10 turns to God’s kingdom and will. The comparison with heaven gives a picture of God’s will being carried out on earth.

The Greek behind Matthew 6:10

  • “kingdom” — βασιλεία (basileia): The word can mean a kingdom or the exercise of a king’s rule. Here it carries the sense of God’s rule, not merely a place with borders.
  • “done” — γίνομαι (ginomai): The word can mean “happen” or “come about.” In this request, God’s will is something to be carried out, not just known.

Why Matthew 6:10 matters

  • The requests are addressed to God, not to an earthly ruler. “Thy” refers back to “our Father which art in heaven” in verse 9.
  • Heaven is the pattern for what is requested on earth. The phrase “as it is in heaven” gives the prayer its comparison.
  • The prayer begins with God’s name, kingdom, and will before turning to daily bread in verse 11. That order places these requests before the needs named later in the prayer.

Where else these words appear

“will” Greek G2307 · used in 60 verses

  • Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
  • Acts 21:14 And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.
  • Colossians 1:9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;