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.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} when ye pray {G4336}, use {G945} not {G3361} vain repetitions {G945}, as {G5618} the heathen {G1482} do: for {G1063} they think {G1380} that {G3754} they shall be heard {G1522} for {G1722} their {G846} much speaking {G4180}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"And when you pray, don't babble on and on like the pagans, who think God will hear them better if they talk a lot.

Berean Standard Bible

And when you pray, do not babble on like pagans, for they think that by their many words they will be heard.

American Standard Version

And in praying use not vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Matthew 6:7, Jesus delivers a crucial warning against a superficial approach to prayer, specifically cautioning His disciples against the "vain repetitions" and "much speaking" characteristic of pagan practices. He challenges the erroneous belief that the efficacy of prayer is determined by its length, volume, or the mechanical recitation of words, instead emphasizing that genuine prayer is a sincere, heartfelt communication rooted in an intimate relationship with a Father who already knows the needs of His children. This teaching serves as a foundational principle for authentic communion with God, contrasting it sharply with the manipulative and performative prayers of the surrounding cultures.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of Jesus's profound discourse known as [the Sermon on the Mount](/matthew/5-7 "Matthew 5-7 - The Sermon on the Mount"), specifically falling within a section (Matthew 6:1-18) where Jesus addresses the proper practice of religious duties: almsgiving, prayer, and fasting. Immediately preceding [Matthew 6:7](/matthew/6-7 "Matthew 6:7 - Warning Against Vain Repetitions"), Jesus condemns hypocritical public prayer, urging His followers to pray in secret to their Father who sees in secret ([Matthew 6:5-6](/matthew/6-5-6 "Matthew 6:5-6 - Praying in Secret")). [Verse 7](/matthew/6-7 "Matthew 6:7 - The Nature of Prayer") then transitions from the *place* of prayer to the *manner* of prayer, setting the stage for the model prayer, often called [the Lord's Prayer](/matthew/6-9-13 "Matthew 6:9-13 - The Lord's Prayer"), which follows in [Matthew 6:9-13](/matthew/6-9-13 "Matthew 6:9-13 - The Model Prayer"). Thus, [Matthew 6:7](/matthew/6-7 "Matthew 6:7 - Avoiding Empty Prayer") acts as a critical negative instruction, providing the necessary contrast for the positive example that immediately follows.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Jewish society, while distinct from paganism, was surrounded by cultures that practiced polytheistic religions. In these pagan traditions, it was common to believe that deities were either distant, indifferent, or needed to be coerced and impressed through elaborate rituals, lengthy incantations, and the incessant repetition of divine names or magical formulas. For example, the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel engaged in frenzied, repetitive cries to their god ([1_kings/18-26-29](/1-kings/18-26-29 "1 Kings 18:26-29 - Prophets of Baal")). Such practices were rooted in a fundamental misunderstanding of the divine nature, viewing gods as capricious beings who required persuasion through human effort rather than as loving, omniscient fathers. Jesus's teaching directly confronts this worldview, distinguishing the intimate, personal relationship available to believers in God from the superstitious, manipulative practices of the "heathen" or Gentiles.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the Sermon on the Mount and the broader Gospel of Matthew. It underscores the theme of **Authenticity vs. Hypocrisy**, contrasting genuine, internal devotion with external, performative religiosity, a motif seen throughout [Matthew 6](/matthew/6 "Matthew 6 - Righteousness and Prayer"). It also highlights the **Nature of God as Father**, emphasizing His omniscience and loving care, which negates the need for manipulative prayer, as He already knows our needs before we ask ([Matthew 6:8](/matthew/6-8 "Matthew 6:8 - God Knows Your Needs")). Furthermore, it reinforces the theme of **Kingdom Ethics**, where the values of God's kingdom—sincerity, humility, and trust—stand in stark contrast to the worldly practices of self-promotion and superstition. The teaching on prayer here is thus foundational to understanding the new covenant relationship with God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **vain repetitions (Greek, _battologéō_):** From a compound of a proverbial stammerer and `lógos` (word), this word literally means "to stutter" or "to stammer." By implication, it refers to speaking tediously, babbling, or repeating words senselessly and without thought. It suggests a mechanical, meaningless utterance of words, devoid of genuine devotion or understanding.
* **heathen (Greek, _ethnikós_):** Derived from `éthnos` (nation, people), this term specifically refers to Gentiles or non-Jews. In this context, it points to those who practiced pagan religions, whose prayer customs often involved lengthy, repetitive, and often superstitious invocations to their gods, believing that such persistence or volume would compel divine attention or favor.
* **much speaking (Greek, _polylogía_):** From `polýs` (much, many) and `lógos` (word), this word denotes loquacity or prolixity—excessive wordiness. It reinforces the idea of prayer characterized by an abundance of words, often without substantial content, purpose, or sincere intent, echoing the "vain repetitions" and emphasizing quantity over quality in communication with God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions":** Jesus begins with a strong negative command, introduced by "but" (G1161, _dé_), indicating a contrast with the hypocritical public prayers just discussed. The core instruction is against "vain repetitions" (G945, _battologéō_). This is not a prohibition against persistent prayer or repeated requests (as seen in [Luke 11:5-8](/luke/11-5-8 "Luke 11:5-8 - The Friend at Midnight") or [Luke 18:1-8](/luke/18-1-8 "Luke 18:1-8 - The Persistent Widow")), but rather against empty, thoughtless, or mechanical recitation of words without genuine heart or meaning. It targets the *manner* and *motive* of prayer, not its length or frequency.
* **"as the heathen do":** This clause provides the cultural and religious context for the warning. The "heathen" (G1482, _ethnikós_), or Gentiles, are presented as a negative example. Their prayer practices often involved superstitious beliefs that gods needed to be persuaded or awakened through lengthy, repetitive, and often loud incantations. Jesus explicitly distances His disciples' prayer from such practices, highlighting the unique, intimate relationship believers have with their heavenly Father.
* **"for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking":** This final clause reveals the underlying faulty theology and motivation behind vain repetitions. The "heathen" operate under the misconception (G1380, _dokéō_, "they think") that their prayers will be effective or "heard" (G1522, _eisakoúō_) simply "for their much speaking" (G1722, _en_ G846, _autós_ G4180, _polylogía_). This implies a quantitative rather than qualitative understanding of prayer, where the sheer volume or length of words is believed to impress or compel the deity. Jesus exposes this as a fundamental misunderstanding of God's nature and the nature of true prayer.

#### Literary Devices
Jesus employs several **rhetorical devices** in this verse to emphasize His teaching. The primary device is **Contrast**, as He explicitly sets the prayer practices of His disciples apart from those of "the heathen." This contrast highlights the distinct nature of the Kingdom of God and the new covenant relationship with the Father. The phrase "vain repetitions" (Greek: _battologéō_) itself is a vivid **onomatopoeia**, mimicking the sound of stammering or babbling, thereby emphasizing the senselessness and emptiness of such prayer. Furthermore, the verse uses **Cause and Effect** to explain the "heathen's" faulty logic: *because* they think they will be heard for their much speaking, they *use vain repetitions*. This clarifies the misguided motivation that Jesus is correcting, underscoring the spiritual and theological error at the heart of such practices.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 6:7 profoundly shapes our understanding of prayer by redirecting its focus from human performance to divine relationship. It dismantles the notion that God is a distant, demanding deity who needs to be impressed or persuaded by an abundance of words or ritualistic acts. Instead, Jesus reveals a God who is an intimate, knowing Father, deeply concerned with the hearts of His children. True prayer, therefore, is not about manipulating God or earning His attention, but about humble, sincere communion with an omniscient Father who already understands our needs and desires. This teaching underscores the radical difference between the new covenant relationship with God and the superstitious, works-based approaches to the divine prevalent in the ancient world. It calls believers to a deeper, more authentic spiritual walk, rooted in trust and genuine dialogue rather than empty ritual.

* [Psalm 145:18](/psalm/145-18 "Psalm 145:18 - The Lord is near to all who call on Him in truth")
* [Romans 8:26](/romans/8-26 "Romans 8:26 - The Spirit Intercedes for Us")
* [Philippians 4:6](/philippians/4-6 "Philippians 4:6 - Do Not Be Anxious, But Pray")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 6:7 serves as a timeless call to examine the sincerity and motive behind our prayers. In a world often driven by outward performance and the pursuit of efficiency, Jesus reminds us that our communication with God is not a transaction, but a relationship. It frees us from the pressure of crafting eloquent or lengthy prayers, instead inviting us to approach our Heavenly Father with authentic hearts, knowing He hears and understands even our unspoken groans. This verse encourages us to prioritize quality over quantity in our prayer lives, fostering a deep, trusting dialogue where we are as eager to listen to God as we are to speak to Him. It challenges us to move beyond rote recitations and superficial requests, cultivating a prayer life marked by genuine humility, dependence, and intimacy with the One who knows us best.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Do I sometimes fall into the trap of "vain repetitions" or "much speaking" in my own prayer life, perhaps out of habit or a misguided sense of duty?**
* **How does understanding God as an omniscient Father who already knows my needs change the way I approach Him in prayer?**
* **In what ways can I cultivate a more sincere and less performative approach to prayer, focusing on genuine communion rather than external expression?**
* **Does my prayer life reflect a deep trust in God's knowledge and love, or do I sometimes try to persuade or impress Him with my words?**

### FAQ

**Does Matthew 6:7 forbid all repetition in prayer, like saying "Amen" or repeating a specific prayer?**

Answer: No, Matthew 6:7 does not forbid all repetition. Jesus's warning is specifically against "vain repetitions" (Greek: _battologéō_) and "much speaking" (Greek: _polylogía_) that are empty, thoughtless, or intended to manipulate God, as practiced by the "heathen." The emphasis is on the *motive* and *meaninglessness* of the repetition, not repetition itself. The Bible elsewhere shows examples of fervent, persistent prayer that might involve repeated requests (e.g., [Luke 18:1-8](/luke/18-1-8 "Luke 18:1-8 - The Parable of the Persistent Widow"); [2_corinthians/12-8](/2-corinthians/12-8 "2 Corinthians 12:8 - Paul's Thorn in the Flesh")). Jesus Himself prayed with intensity and repetition in Gethsemane ([Matthew 26:39-44](/matthew/26-39-44 "Matthew 26:39-44 - Jesus Prays in Gethsemane")). Therefore, repeating a prayer with a sincere heart, or using common liturgical responses like "Amen," is not what Jesus condemns. He is cautioning against mechanical, superstitious, or performative prayer that lacks genuine faith and understanding of God's character.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 6:7, while a negative command, finds its ultimate fulfillment and positive expression in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself perfectly modeled the sincere, intimate prayer life that He commanded His disciples to adopt. He did not engage in "vain repetitions" but prayed with profound depth, clarity, and direct communion with His Father ([John 17](/john/17 "John 17 - Jesus' High Priestly Prayer")). His prayer life was characterized by a perfect understanding of God's will and a complete trust in the Father's knowledge and love ([Luke 22:42](/luke/22-42 "Luke 22:42 - Jesus' Submission to the Father's Will")). Furthermore, it is through Christ that believers gain access to this intimate relationship with God, no longer needing to approach Him as distant deities requiring persuasion, but as a loving Father. Jesus, as the great High Priest, intercedes for us with perfect prayers ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Eternal Priesthood")), and the Holy Spirit enables us to pray according to God's will, even when we don't know what to say ([Romans 8:26-27](/romans/8-26-27 "Romans 8:26-27 - The Spirit Helps Us in Our Weakness")). Thus, Christ not only teaches us how to pray but also makes genuine, Spirit-empowered prayer possible, transforming our access to God from a manipulative ritual into a loving, filial relationship.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ecclesiastes 5:2

Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter [any] thing before God: for God [is] in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.

Ecclesiastes 5:3

For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice [is known] by multitude of words.

Ecclesiastes 5:7

For in the multitude of dreams and many words [there are] also [divers] vanities: but fear thou God.

1 Kings 18:26

And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed [it], and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But [there was] no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made.

1 Kings 18:29

And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the [time] of the offering of the [evening] sacrifice, that [there was] neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded.

Matthew 26:44

And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.

Matthew 6:32

(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.