Matthew 6:6 (KJV)

What does Matthew 6:6 mean?

Matthew 6:6 teaches that when you pray, you should do so privately, away from public attention, because God sees what is done in secret and will reward you openly. The verse emphasizes a personal and sincere relationship with God rather than seeking approval from others.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to his followers during the Sermon on the Mount, addressing how they should approach prayer. The instruction to "enter into thy closet" refers to finding a private place, and "shut thy door" means to remove distractions and focus on God alone. The verse contrasts genuine prayer with the showy, public prayers of some religious leaders of the time, highlighting that God values sincerity over outward display.

The Greek behind Matthew 6:6

• "ταμεῖον" (tameion, closet): This word often meant an inner room or storage chamber, a place set apart from the rest of the house. The use of this word stresses the idea of privacy and separation from public view.
• "ἐν τῷ κρυπτῷ" (en tō kryptō, in secret): This phrase points to something hidden or concealed. It highlights that God is attentive to what happens out of sight, not just public actions.
• "ἀποδώσει" (apodōsei, reward): The Greek here carries the sense of giving back or repaying. The verse assures that God responds to genuine, unseen devotion, not just visible acts.

Why Matthew 6:6 matters

• Matthew 6:6 clears up the misunderstanding that prayer must be public or elaborate to be meaningful; instead, it shows that God values honest, private communication.
• The verse emphasizes that God’s attention is not limited to what others can see, but extends to the hidden parts of our lives.
• This teaching fits into the larger context of the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus repeatedly warns against practicing righteousness just to be seen by others.