And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
MATTHEW 6:5KJVWhat does Matthew 6:5 mean?
Matthew 6:5 warns against praying in a showy or attention-seeking way, like those who make a public display of their prayers to impress others. Jesus says that people who pray just to be seen by others have already received all the reward they will get—the attention of people—rather than any reward from God.
In this verse, Jesus is speaking to his followers during the Sermon on the Mount, teaching them about genuine and humble prayer. He contrasts sincere prayer with the behavior of "hypocrites," a term often used for religious leaders who acted out their faith for public approval. The setting includes synagogues and busy street corners, places where public prayers would be most visible, highlighting the difference between seeking God's attention and seeking human praise.
The Greek behind Matthew 6:5
- ὑποκριταί (hypokritai, "hypocrites"): This Greek word originally referred to actors on a stage, and here it describes people who put on a show of religious devotion rather than being sincere. The use of this word stresses that their prayers are more performance than genuine communication with God.
- φανῶσιν (phanōsin, "may be seen"): This word carries the idea of being made visible or appearing before others. The verse points out that the motivation for these prayers is to be noticed by people, not to connect with God.
- μισθὸν (misthon, "reward"): This Greek word means payment or wages. Jesus uses it to say that public recognition is the only "reward" these people will get—they should not expect anything more from God.
Why Matthew 6:5 matters
- Matthew 6:5 clarifies that the heart behind prayer matters more than the outward act or the setting; God values sincerity over public display.
- The verse helps correct the misunderstanding that religious acts done for show have spiritual value in God's eyes.
- This teaching sets the stage for Jesus’ instructions on private, heartfelt prayer in the following verses, emphasizing a personal relationship with God rather than religious performance.