Matthew 6 7

Matthew 6:7 kjv

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 6:7 nkjv

And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.

Matthew 6:7 niv

And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.

Matthew 6:7 esv

"And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.

Matthew 6:7 nlt

"When you pray, don't babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again.

Matthew 6 verses

Matthew 6 7 Meaning

Matthew 6:7 cautions believers against a specific type of prayer common among the Gentiles: prayer characterized by "vain repetitions" or babbling, driven by the false belief that mere verbosity or quantity of words guarantees a hearing from God. Jesus teaches that true prayer is not about manipulative techniques, loud proclamations, or endless formulas, but about sincere communication from the heart to a Father who already knows our needs and values genuine relationship over empty ritual.

Matthew 6 7 Context

This verse is part of Jesus' teaching on prayer within the Sermon on the Mount (Matt chapters 5-7), specifically within a section (6:1-18) that contrasts genuine righteousness with hypocritical displays in three key areas: giving alms, prayer, and fasting. In Matt 6:5-6, Jesus warns against praying publicly "to be seen by others." Matt 6:7-8 then further refines acceptable prayer by condemning the practice of "vain repetitions." Immediately following, Jesus provides the model prayer, often called the "Lord's Prayer" (Matt 6:9-13), demonstrating how true prayer should be structured and approached. The historical context involves distinguishing Christian prayer from the manipulative, performative, or superstitious prayer customs prevalent among both Jewish hypocrites and pagan cultures, which often emphasized external show or ritualistic mechanics over sincere, internal communication with God.

Matthew 6 7 Word analysis

• But: (δὲ - de) A conjunction indicating a contrast or transition from the previous instruction about hypocritical prayer. It shifts the focus from the place of prayer to the manner of prayer.
• when ye pray, (προσευχόμενοι - proseuchomenoi) From the verb "proseuchomai," meaning to pray, to worship, to make supplication. This phrase sets the activity to which the subsequent prohibition applies.
• use not vain repetitions, (μὴ βαττολογήσητε - mē battologēsēte)
  • μὴ (mē): A prohibitive particle, meaning "do not."
  • βαττολογήσητε (battologēsēte): A rare Greek word, occurring only here in the New Testament. It is a compound word potentially derived from "battos," either an individual notorious for stuttering or repeating himself endlessly, or a simple onomatopoeia for babbling sounds ("bat-bat"). It literally means "to stammer, to babble, to repeat aimlessly and without thought." It specifically refers to thoughtless, verbose, and meaningless repetition, not necessarily all repetition.
• as the heathen do: (ὥσπερ οἱ ἐθνικοί - hōsper hoi ethnikoi)
  • ὥσπερ (hōsper): "just as," "exactly as." Indicates a direct comparison.
  • οἱ ἐθνικοί (hoi ethnikoi): "the Gentiles," "the nations." This term refers to non-Jews, often those engaged in pagan religious practices. These pagan practices frequently involved lengthy, monotonous incantations and formulaic chants believed to coerce or appease their gods, exemplified by the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel (1 Ki 18:26-29).
• for (γὰρ - gar) A causal conjunction, meaning "because" or "for." It introduces the reason or explanation for the Gentiles' behavior.
• they think (δοκοῦσιν - dokousin) From "dokeō," meaning to think, suppose, or believe. It highlights their mistaken underlying assumption or motivation.
• that they shall be heard (ὅτι ... εἰσακουσθήσονται - hoti ... eisakousthēsontai)
  • ὅτι (hoti): "that." Introduces a dependent clause.
  • εἰσακουσθήσονται (eisasousthēsontai): "they will be heard." Passive voice, meaning "to be listened to, to be answered." It refers to the outcome they desire from their prayer.
• for their much speaking. (ἐν τῇ πολυλογίᾳ αὐτῶν - en tē polylogia autōn)
  • ἐν (en): "in," "by," "because of." Denotes the means or instrument.
  • τῇ πολυλογίᾳ (tē polylogia): "the much speaking," "the verbosity." From "polys" (many) and "logos" (word), literally "many words." This contrasts sharply with Jesus' own instruction for brevity and substance in prayer.
  • αὐτῶν (autōn): "their." Possessive pronoun referring to the Gentiles.

• But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: This phrase serves as a direct command and a specific prohibition. It warns against a particular method and mindset in prayer by contrasting it with the established pagan practices. The emphasis is on avoiding prayer that is ritualistic, unthinking, or focused on technique rather than relationship. The comparison to "heathen" immediately invokes a negative example from the worldview of Jesus' Jewish audience, associating this practice with idolatrous or superstitious forms of worship.
• for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking: This part provides the rationale or underlying flawed belief of the pagans. Their error lies not just in the "vain repetitions" themselves, but in the erroneous premise that quantity of words, or the mere act of verbal expression, is the key to divine attention and favor. It reveals a transactional and manipulative view of prayer, where deities are perceived as needing to be convinced, informed, or overcome by persistence in words, rather than a relational God who understands the heart and hears genuine cries. This forms a clear polemic against any notion that prayer's efficacy comes from human effort in word count.

Matthew 6 7 Bonus section

The injunction against "vain repetitions" is not a call for minimal prayer, but for meaningful prayer. This distinction is crucial, as some misinterpret this verse to discourage passionate or prolonged prayer. Jesus emphasizes the attitude and motivation behind prayer: is it from a heart seeking to commune with God, or from a mind seeking to perform or manipulate? This aligns with Old Testament principles where God repeatedly valued inner righteousness and sincerity over outward ritual (e.g., Amos 5:21-24; Isa 1:11-15). Furthermore, the passage foreshadows the new covenant's emphasis on intimacy with God as Father, moving beyond the need for elaborate or technical means to access the divine. It implies that true power in prayer comes not from the speaker's effort, but from the Listener's character and promises. The example of the "Lord's Prayer" immediately following this prohibition serves as a concise, rich, and divinely sanctioned pattern for effective, sincere prayer.

Matthew 6 7 Commentary

Matthew 6:7 stands as a profound critique of prayer that is motivated by human performance or superficiality rather than genuine communion with God. Jesus, having just condemned the hypocritical display of prayer in public (Matt 6:5-6), now addresses the content and intent of prayer. The term "vain repetitions" (battologēsēte) speaks to mindless babbling, the use of empty formulas, or the superstitious belief that saying certain words repeatedly will somehow compel or impress God. This practice was common in pagan religions where worshippers might chant lengthy incantations or endless petitions to arouse their deities, believing the sheer volume or precise utterance of words held magical power or could overcome divine indifference.

The core issue Jesus addresses is the underlying assumption of such prayer: "for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking." This highlights a fundamental misunderstanding of God's nature and the nature of prayer. God is not an absent or forgetful deity who needs to be reminded or coerced by verbose appeals. He is a loving, omniscient Father who already knows our needs (as Matt 6:8 clearly states) and desires heartfelt relationship, not empty rituals. This verse is not a condemnation of all repetition in prayer (e.g., Jesus Himself repeated His prayer in Gethsemane; the Lord's Prayer can be prayed repeatedly as a model). Rather, it condemns vain repetition – that which is mechanical, insincere, or motivated by a desire to impress God or others through quantity rather than quality of communion. True prayer is a personal, sincere address to a Father who listens, cares, and delights in authentic conversation. It values sincerity and purpose over the length or eloquence of words.