Matthew 6:11 (KJV)

What does Matthew 6:11 mean?

Matthew 6:11 is a request to God for the food and necessities needed for each day, trusting Him to provide what is required for daily life. In the context of the Lord’s Prayer, this line expresses dependence on God for ongoing, practical needs rather than asking for abundance or future security.

Jesus is teaching His followers how to pray, speaking to a crowd during the Sermon on the Mount. By including this request for “daily bread,” Jesus highlights the importance of relying on God for basic needs and living with a sense of trust for today, rather than anxiety about tomorrow.

The Greek behind Matthew 6:11

• “Daily” (ἐπιούσιος, epiousios): This Greek word is unusual and appears only here and in Luke’s version of the Lord’s Prayer. It is often understood as “for today” or “necessary for existence,” emphasizing the idea of asking for what is needed right now, not excess or luxury.
• “Bread” (ἄρτος, artos): While “bread” can literally mean food made from grain, it also stands for all the basic things needed to live—food, shelter, and other daily necessities. The prayer is not just about literal bread but about trusting God for all essentials.

Why Matthew 6:11 matters

• Matthew 6:11 clarifies that Jesus encourages His followers to pray for their present needs, not for wealth or long-term security, which counters the idea that faith is about getting everything one wants.
• This verse connects to the larger theme of the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus teaches about trusting God rather than worrying about the future (see Matthew 6:25–34).
• The focus on “daily” needs highlights a humble, ongoing dependence on God, rather than self-sufficiency or anxiety about what might come next.