Matthew 6:6

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

But {G1161} thou {G4771}, when {G3752} thou prayest {G4336}, enter {G1525} into {G1519} thy {G4675} closet {G5009}, and {G2532} when thou hast shut {G2808} thy {G4675} door {G2374}, pray {G4336} to thy {G4675} Father {G3962} which {G3588} is in {G1722} secret {G2927}; and {G2532} thy {G4675} Father {G3962} which {G3588} seeth {G991} in {G1722} secret {G2927} shall reward {G591} thee {G4671} openly {G1722}{G5318}.

But you, when you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. Your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

But when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thine inner chamber, and having shut thy door, pray to thy Father who is in secret, and thy Father who seeth in secret shall recompense thee.

Commentary

Context

This verse is a pivotal part of Jesus's Sermon on the Mount (Matthew chapters 5-7), specifically within His teaching on true righteousness versus outward religious display. Following His instruction on giving alms (Matthew 6:1-4), Jesus addresses prayer, condemning the practice of those who pray publicly to be seen by men. Matthew 6:6 provides the positive instruction, emphasizing the importance of private, sincere communion with God, contrasting with the hypocritical public prayers Jesus warns against in the preceding verse.

Key Themes

  • Sincerity in Prayer: The core message is about the heart's attitude in prayer. Jesus teaches that genuine prayer is not a performance for human applause but an intimate conversation with God. The emphasis is on the authenticity of devotion over outward show.
  • God's Omniscience and Personal Relationship: By instructing us to pray to "thy Father which is in secret," Jesus highlights God's omnipresence and His ability to see and know all things, even our most private thoughts and intentions. It fosters a deep, personal relationship where God is not an audience but an intimate Father.
  • The Promise of Reward: "And thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." This reward is not necessarily material or immediate public recognition, but the spiritual blessings, peace, strength, and divine favor that accompany a sincere relationship with God. It contrasts sharply with the fleeting praise of men that hypocrites seek. This promise reinforces the truth that God rewards those who diligently seek Him in truth.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Closet" (Greek: tameion): The Greek word tameion (ฯ„ฮฑฮผฮตแฟ–ฮฟฮฝ) refers to a private chamber, a storeroom, or an inner room where one would go for privacy. It doesn't necessarily mean a small wardrobe closet but rather any secluded place where one can be alone and undisturbed. The act of "shutting thy door" reinforces the idea of intentional privacy and separation from distractions and human observation.
  • "In Secret": This phrase emphasizes the hidden nature of the prayer, suggesting that the true power and reward of prayer come from a genuine, unseen connection between the individual and God, rather than from any public display or human validation.

Practical Application

Matthew 6:6 calls believers to cultivate a vibrant, personal prayer life. It encourages:

  • Prioritizing Private Devotion: While corporate prayer has its place, this verse stresses the indispensable need for individual, quiet time with God, free from external pressures or the desire for human recognition.
  • Examining Motives: It challenges us to honestly assess why and how we pray, ensuring our focus is on connecting with God rather than impressing others.
  • Trusting God's Faithfulness: The promise of being "rewarded openly" reassures us that God sees and values our sincere efforts to draw near to Him, even when no one else does. Our secret prayers are not unseen or unheard by our Heavenly Father.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 4:33 (47 votes)

    He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto the LORD.

  • Matthew 14:23 (41 votes)

    And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.

  • Isaiah 65:24 (32 votes)

    And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.

  • Psalms 34:15 (26 votes)

    The eyes of the LORD [are] upon the righteous, and his ears [are open] unto their cry.

  • Isaiah 26:20 (26 votes)

    ยถ Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.

  • Acts 9:40 (26 votes)

    But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning [him] to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.

  • Matthew 6:18 (22 votes)

    That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.