ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Matthew 6

Matt. 6:2–4 Hypocrites originally referred to Greek actors who wore different masks to play various roles. Jesus expected his disciples to give to the needy.

Matt. 6:5–15 Prayer was also expected of God’s people. Public prayer was a common practice in NT times.

Matt. 6:5–6 stand and pray in the synagogues. At set times, Jews would stop what they were doing and pray. Jesus did not condemn all public prayer, as indicated by his own prayers in public (e.g., 14:19; 15:36). One’s internal motivation is his central concern.

Matt. 6:7–8 heap up empty phrases. Pagans repeated the names of their gods or the same words over and over without thinking (see 1 Kings 18:26; Acts 19:34). Jesus prohibits mindless repetition, not the earnest repetition that flows from a worshiping heart (see Psalm 136; Mark 14:39).

Matt. 6:9–13 Jesus gives his disciples an example to follow when praying. The prayer consists of an invocation and six petitions.

Matt. 6:9 Father would have been “Abba” in Aramaic, the everyday language spoken by Jesus (compare Mark 14:36; Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:6). It was the word used by Jewish children for their earthly fathers. However, since the term in both Aramaic and Greek was also used by adults to address their fathers, the claim that “Abba” meant “Daddy” is misleading. in heaven. The theme of “heavenly Father” is found throughout the OT (Deut. 14:1; 32:6; Ps. 103:13; Jer. 3:4; 31:9; Hos. 11:1). The concern of this first petition is that God’s name would be hallowed, that is, treated with the highest honor and set apart as holy.

Matt. 6:10 Christians are called to pray and work for the continual advancement of God’s kingdom on earth (the second petition; see note on vv. 9–13). The presence of God’s kingdom in this age refers to the reign of Christ in the hearts and lives of believers, and to the reigning presence of Christ in his body, the church. Genuine believers will increasingly reflect Christ’s love, obey his laws, honor him, and proclaim the good news of the kingdom. The third petition speaks of God’s will. This asks that God’s followers will behave in ways that are pleasing to him. Believers on earth will follow God in the same way he is obeyed in heaven.

Matt. 6:11 The fourth petition focuses on the disciples’ daily bread, which includes all of their daily physical needs.

Matt. 6:12 Forgive us our debts (the fifth petition) does not mean that believers need to ask daily for justification, since believers are right with God from the moment of initial saving faith (Rom. 5:1; 8:1). Rather, this is a prayer for the restoration of personal fellowship with God following sin (see note on Col. 2:14).

Matt. 6:13 lead us not into temptation. In this sixth and final petition, “temptation” can also indicate testing (see notes on 4:1; James 1:13). The sense here most likely is, “Allow us to be spared circumstances that would tempt us to sin” (compare Matt. 26:41). deliver us from evil. The Greek word translated “evil” can mean either “evil” or “the evil one,” namely, Satan. “For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen” (esv footnote) is evidently a later scribal addition; the most reliable Greek manuscripts lack these words, but there is nothing theologically incorrect about them (compare 1 Chron. 29:11–13).

Matt. 6:14–15 Forgive your trespasses refers to restoring relationship following sin, not salvation.

Matt. 6:16–18 Various kinds of fasts were practiced in OT times, though the law required only one fast a year, on the Day of Atonement. (Fasting is probably implied by the command to “afflict yourselves”; Lev. 16:29–34). when you fast. Jesus assumes that his disciples will fast. Anointing and washing (Matt. 6:17) signify preparations to enjoy life (see Eccles. 9:7–8).

Matt. 6:19 moth . . . rust . . . thieves. See note on Luke 12:33–34.

Matt. 6:21 Throughout Scripture, the heart refers to the center of one’s being. It includes one’s emotions, reason, and will. See note on Prov. 4:20–23.

Matt. 6:22–23 The eye (similar to the “heart” in Jewish literature) is a lamp that reveals the quality of a person’s inner life. A healthy eye (clear vision) suggests loyal devotion to God. A bad eye (impaired vision) suggests moral corruption.

Matt. 6:24 Serve indicates the work of a slave, not an employee. A slave belongs to one master, so he must give the master exclusive service.

Matt. 6:30 Grass was a natural source of fuel for fire and a common biblical metaphor for human frailty (e.g., Ps. 102:4). Little faith implies a deficiency rather than an absence of faith (see Matt. 8:26).