But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

MATTHEW 6:7KJV
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Matthew 6:7 (KJV)

What does Matthew 6:7 mean?

Matthew 6:7 warns against using empty or repetitive words when praying, like people from other religions who think they will be heard just because they say a lot. Jesus is teaching that prayer should be sincere and thoughtful, not just a matter of saying many words or repeating phrases without meaning.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to his followers during the Sermon on the Mount, explaining how they should approach God in prayer. He contrasts their prayers with those of the "heathen"—a term for non-Jews or people who do not worship the God of Israel—who believed that long or repeated prayers would make their gods listen. Jesus emphasizes that God is not impressed by quantity or repetition, but by genuine communication.

The Greek behind Matthew 6:7

  • The word for "vain repetitions" is βαττολογέω (battologeō), which means to babble or repeat the same things over and over. This word highlights that Jesus is warning against mindless or mechanical prayer, not just long prayers.
  • The term "heathen" is ἐθνικός (ethnikos), referring to non-Jewish people or Gentiles. This shows Jesus is comparing the disciples' prayers to the practices of those outside the Jewish faith, who often used formulaic or ritualistic prayers.
  • The word for "much speaking" is πολυλογία (polylogia), meaning talking at great length. This underlines that Jesus is not against long prayers themselves, but against the idea that more words make a prayer more effective.

Why Matthew 6:7 matters

  • Matthew 6:7 corrects the idea that God can be persuaded or manipulated by the sheer number of words or by repeating phrases, reminding readers that God values sincerity over formality.
  • This verse helps explain the difference between Christian prayer and some religious practices of the time, which relied on ritual and repetition to gain favor from the gods.
  • Matthew 6:7 sets up the Lord’s Prayer in the following verses, showing that Jesus wants his followers to pray simply and honestly, trusting that God already knows their needs.

Where else these words appear

“heathen” Greek G1482 · used in 2 verses

  • Matthew 18:17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

“heard” Greek G1522 · used in 5 verses

  • Luke 1:13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
  • Acts 10:31 And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.
  • 1 Corinthians 14:21 In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.

“as” Greek G5618 · used in 42 verses

  • Matthew 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
  • Luke 17:24 For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day.
  • 1 Corinthians 11:12 For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.

“think” Greek G1380 · used in 62 verses

  • Matthew 3:9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
  • Luke 22:24 And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.
  • 1 Corinthians 7:40 But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.