Matthew 6:5 is the fifth verse of the sixth chapter of the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. The verse forms part of the Sermon on the Mount, a collection of teachings attributed to Jesus of Nazareth. In most English translations, the text reads:
“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in public places and to be seen by others.” (New International Version)
Context and Placement
- Literary Context: Matthew 6:5 follows a series of verses (6:1‑4) that discuss giving to the needy, emphasizing that charitable acts should be performed discreetly rather than for public acclaim.
- Thematic Focus: The verse introduces the teaching on prayer, which continues through verses 6‑15 and includes the well‑known "Lord’s Prayer" (Matthew 6:9‑13).
- Historical Setting: The Gospel of Matthew is traditionally dated to the late first century CE and is aimed at a primarily Jewish-Christian audience. The passage reflects contemporary concerns about religious authenticity and the criticism of performative piety.
Textual Characteristics
- Greek Text: The verse in the Nestle‑Anglick Greek New Testament reads:
“Ἑδρεύοντες δὲ προσεύχεσθε ὡς οἱ ὑποκριταί·· ὅτι ἀγαπᾷν ἔνθα ὑπάρχει αὐτῶν.” (transliteration varies among manuscripts). - Manuscript Evidence: The wording is consistent across the major early manuscript families (e.g., Codex Sinaiticus, Codex Vaticanus). Minor orthographic variations exist but do not affect the meaning.
Theological Interpretation
Scholars generally agree that the verse condemns “public spectacles” of prayer intended to garner admiration rather than foster genuine communion with God. Common interpretive points include:
- Critique of Hypocrisy: The term hypocrites (Greek ὑποκριταί) denotes “actors” or “pretenders,” suggesting insincerity.
- Privacy in Devotion: The contrast is drawn between private prayer (developed in the following verses) and ostentatious public displays.
- Jewish Liturgical Practices: Some commentators link the criticism to contemporary Jewish practices of praying in the synagogue’s upper galleries (Greek βωμὸς), though this is a contextual hypothesis rather than a universally accepted conclusion.
Influence and Usage
- Liturgical Tradition: The verse underlies a longstanding Christian emphasis on quiet, personal prayer, influencing monastic and devotional practices.
- Cultural References: The phrase “pray in secret” derived from the subsequent verse (Matthew 6:6) is frequently cited in sermons, religious literature, and popular discourse.
- Legal and Ethical Discussion: The principle has been invoked in discussions of religious expression, particularly regarding the distinction between private belief and public demonstration.
Academic Sources
- Commentary: Matthew in the New International Commentary on the New Testament (R.T. France, 2007) provides a detailed exegesis of verses 5‑15.
- Lexical Study: Bauer, Walter et al., A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Early Christian Literature (BDAG, 3rd ed., 2000) discusses the semantic range of ὑποκριτής.
- Historical Analysis: Goulder, Geoffrey B., The Gospel of Matthew: A Literary and Theological Commentary (2004) examines the socioreligious context of the prayer criticism.
Summary
Matthew 6:5 is a concise, didactic statement attributed to Jesus that warns against ostentatious prayer motivated by a desire for public approval. It functions as an introductory clause to the broader teaching on authentic prayer found in the remainder of Matthew chapter 6, and it has shaped Christian attitudes toward private versus public expressions of piety across centuries.
