Matthew 6:8

KJV

Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

KJV (with Strong's)

Be {G3666} not {G3361} ye {G3666} therefore {G3767} like {G3666} unto them {G846}: for {G1063} your {G5216} Father {G3962} knoweth {G1492} what things {G3739} ye have {G2192} need of {G5532}, before {G4253} ye {G5209} ask {G154} him {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Don't be like them, because your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Berean Standard Bible

Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

American Standard Version

Be not therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 6:8, a pivotal verse within Jesus' [Sermon on the Mount](/matthew/5-7 "The Sermon on the Mount"), offers profound insight into the nature of true prayer and God's intimate character. It directly follows Jesus' warnings against hypocritical and verbose prayer, asserting that our Heavenly Father, in His divine omniscience and paternal care, already knows our needs even before we articulate them. This truth fundamentally redefines prayer, shifting its purpose from informing or persuading God to fostering a relationship of trust, dependence, and heartfelt communion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within Jesus' extensive teaching on righteousness in the [Sermon on the Mount](/matthew/5-7 "The Sermon on the Mount"), specifically within the section addressing private spiritual disciplines in [Matthew 6](/matthew/6 "Matthew 6 - Practices of Righteousness"). Immediately preceding it, Jesus critiques two flawed approaches to prayer: the public display of the hypocrites seeking human applause ([Matthew 6:5](/matthew/6-5 "Matthew 6:5 - Praying in Secret")) and the "vain repetitions" of the Gentiles who believe their many words will make them heard ([Matthew 6:7](/matthew/6-7 "Matthew 6:7 - Avoiding Vain Repetitions")). The command "Be not ye therefore like unto them" serves as a direct prohibition against these practices, setting the stage for the profound theological truth that follows: God's pre-knowledge of our needs. This verse acts as the foundational premise for the model prayer, commonly known as the [Lord's Prayer](/matthew/6-9-13 "Matthew 6:9-13 - The Lord's Prayer"), which Jesus provides immediately afterward, demonstrating how to pray authentically in light of this truth.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In first-century Jewish society, prayer was a central part of religious life, often performed publicly and with specific formulas. The Pharisees, for example, were known for their elaborate public prayers. Concurrently, the Greco-Roman world, with its polytheistic beliefs, often viewed prayer as a means to appease or manipulate deities through elaborate rituals, sacrifices, and repetitive incantations. People believed that the gods needed to be informed of human desires or persuaded to act. Jesus' teaching in [Matthew 6:8](/matthew/6-8 "Matthew 6:8 - God Knows Your Needs") directly challenges both the performative piety of some Jewish leaders and the superstitious, transactional view of prayer prevalent among the Gentiles. By emphasizing God's inherent knowledge and His identity as "Father," Jesus introduces a revolutionary understanding of prayer as an intimate, relational dialogue rather than a formal, informative ritual.
* **Key Themes:** [Matthew 6:8](/matthew/6-8 "Matthew 6:8 - God Knows Your Needs") powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Jesus' teaching and the broader book of Matthew. First, it underscores **Divine Omniscience and Providence**, highlighting God's complete and perfect knowledge of all things, including the deepest needs and desires of His children. This truth offers immense comfort and security, as seen in passages like [Luke 12:30](/luke/12-30 "Luke 12:30 - Your Father Knows Your Needs"), where Jesus assures His disciples that their Heavenly Father knows their needs for food and clothing. Second, it promotes **Authenticity and Sincerity in Prayer**, contrasting genuine communion with God against outward display or mechanical repetition. Since God already knows, the purpose of prayer shifts from informing Him to expressing trust, dependence, and aligning one's will with His. This aligns with the call for inner righteousness found throughout the [Sermon on the Mount](/matthew/5-7 "The Sermon on the Mount"). Finally, it profoundly emphasizes **God's Paternal Character**, portraying Him not as a distant, demanding deity but as a loving, caring Father who intimately understands and anticipates the needs of His children, echoing the relational emphasis found in [Matthew 7:9-11](/matthew/7-9-11 "Matthew 7:9-11 - God's Good Gifts").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **not (Greek, _mḗ'_):** This particle of qualified negation is crucial here. Unlike _ou_, which expresses an absolute denial, _mḗ_ conveys a prohibition or a warning against a certain action or state. In this context, it reinforces the imperative "Be not ye therefore like unto them," indicating that disciples are to actively choose a different, non-hypocritical and non-repetitive approach to prayer, understanding that their Father's nature makes such prayer unnecessary and inappropriate.
* **knoweth (Greek, _eídō'_):** This verb signifies an intuitive, inherent, and complete knowledge, rather than knowledge gained through observation or learning. It implies a deep, experiential awareness on God's part. God's knowledge of our needs is not acquired; it is intrinsic to His being. This underscores His omniscience and His intimate understanding of His creation, particularly His children.
* **ask (Greek, _aitéō'_):** This verb means "to ask" in a general sense, encompassing begging, craving, desiring, or requiring. It refers to the act of making a request or petition. The contrast here is significant: God knows our needs _before_ we even articulate them through this act of asking, highlighting that prayer is not about informing God but about expressing our dependence and aligning our hearts with His will.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Be not ye therefore like unto them:":** This is a direct imperative and prohibition. "Them" refers to the hypocrites who pray to be seen by others ([Matthew 6:5](/matthew/6-5 "Matthew 6:5 - Praying in Secret")) and the Gentiles who use "vain repetitions" ([Matthew 6:7](/matthew/6-7 "Matthew 6:7 - Avoiding Vain Repetitions")). Jesus commands His disciples to adopt a fundamentally different approach to prayer, one rooted in authenticity and a proper understanding of God's character, rather than human performance or superstitious ritual.
* **"for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of,":** This clause provides the theological rationale for the preceding command. The conjunction "for" (Greek, _gár_) introduces the reason. The core truth is God's inherent knowledge ("knoweth") of our needs. The term "your Father" emphasizes the intimate, personal, and benevolent relationship God has with His children, contrasting with the distant deities of paganism or the impersonal God perceived by some religious practitioners. This knowledge is not partial or acquired but complete and intuitive.
* **"before ye ask him.":** This final phrase underscores the depth and completeness of God's knowledge. It highlights the pre-emptive nature of His understanding. He does not need to be informed of our needs, nor does He need to be persuaded by the quantity or eloquence of our words. This truth liberates believers from the burden of trying to "convince" God and instead invites them into a relationship of trust where prayer becomes an expression of dependence and communion, rather than an informational exchange.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Apostrophe** is used in the direct address "Be not ye therefore like unto them," speaking directly to the disciples. **Contrast** is central, as Jesus sharply differentiates the prayer practices of His followers from those of the hypocrites and Gentiles, setting up a clear dichotomy between authentic and inauthentic prayer. The phrase "your Father knoweth" serves as a powerful **metaphor** for God's intimate, caring, and all-knowing nature, likening Him to a loving human father who anticipates his children's needs. This **personification** of God as a knowing and caring parent is foundational to Jesus' teaching on prayer. Furthermore, the verse uses **rhetorical argumentation**, where the command ("Be not ye therefore like unto them") is immediately followed by a logical "for" clause that provides the compelling reason for the command, demonstrating the theological basis for proper prayer.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 6:8 profoundly shapes our understanding of prayer, moving it from a transactional act to a relational encounter. The core theological truth is God's perfect omniscience and His benevolent, paternal nature. Because God already knows our needs, prayer is not about informing Him, but about aligning our hearts with His will, expressing our dependence, and deepening our communion with Him. This truth liberates believers from anxiety about "getting prayer right" or using specific formulas, fostering instead a spirit of humble trust and sincere conversation with a Father who deeply cares. It emphasizes that the efficacy of prayer does not lie in the eloquence or quantity of words, but in the heart's posture of faith towards an all-knowing and loving God.

* [Psalm 139:1-4](/psalms/139-1-4 "Psalm 139:1-4 - God's Omniscience")
* [Philippians 4:6-7](/philippians/4-6-7 "Philippians 4:6-7 - Do Not Be Anxious, But Pray")
* [1 John 5:14-15](/1_john/5-14-15 "1 John 5:14-15 - Confidence in Prayer")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 6:8 offers immense freedom and comfort to the believer. It dismantles the performance-based mindset often associated with prayer, reminding us that God is not impressed by our eloquence or the length of our petitions. Instead, He desires a genuine, open-hearted relationship. Knowing that our Heavenly Father already comprehends our deepest needs—even those unspoken or unrecognized by ourselves—should cultivate a profound sense of peace and trust. This truth encourages us to approach God with authenticity, laying bare our hearts without fear of judgment or the need to impress. Our prayers become less about "asking for things" and more about acknowledging God's sovereignty, expressing gratitude, confessing our reliance, and seeking His will. This understanding transforms prayer from a duty into a delightful communion with the One who knows us intimately and cares for us infinitely.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the truth that God knows your needs before you ask change your approach to prayer?**
* **In what ways might you be tempted to pray like the hypocrites or the Gentiles, and how can you guard against these tendencies?**
* **What does it mean to truly trust God's pre-knowledge of your needs, especially when faced with overwhelming challenges?**
* **How can this verse deepen your sense of intimacy and security in your relationship with God as your Father?**

### FAQ

**Does this verse mean we don't need to pray if God already knows everything?**

Answer: No, this verse does not negate the need for prayer; rather, it redefines its purpose. The point is not that God needs to be informed, but that prayer is primarily about relationship and dependence. By praying, we express our trust in God, align our will with His, and participate in His work in the world. Prayer is an act of communion, not merely a request for information. Jesus immediately follows this verse with the [Lord's Prayer](/matthew/6-9-13 "Matthew 6:9-13 - The Lord's Prayer"), demonstrating that prayer is essential, but its foundation is God's knowledge, not our persuasion. It's about acknowledging our reliance on Him and engaging in a loving dialogue with our Heavenly Father.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 6:8 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus, who perfectly embodies the intimate relationship with the Father that this verse describes and invites us into. As the Son, Jesus always knew the Father's will and operated in perfect communion with Him, demonstrating a life of prayer not as a means to inform God, but as an expression of absolute dependence and unity, as seen in His prayers in [John 17](/john/17 "John 17 - Jesus' High Priestly Prayer"). Furthermore, it is through Christ that we gain access to this very Father. Jesus teaches us to call God "Father" ([Matthew 6:9](/matthew/6-9 "Matthew 6:9 - The Lord's Prayer Begins")), a privilege made possible by His atoning sacrifice, which reconciles us to God ([Romans 5:10-11](/romans/5-10-11 "Romans 5:10-11 - Reconciliation Through Christ")). The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of adoption, cries out "Abba, Father!" within us ([Romans 8:15](/romans/8-15 "Romans 8:15 - Spirit of Adoption")), confirming our new identity as children of God, whose needs are intimately known and cared for by our Heavenly Father. Thus, the knowledge God has of our needs is not a cold, distant omniscience, but the warm, paternal care of a Father who has brought us into His family through His Son, Jesus Christ, the one through whom all of God's promises are "Yes" and "Amen" ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises in Christ")).

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

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.

Luke 12:30

For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.

Philippians 4:6

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

John 16:23

¶ And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give [it] you.

John 16:27

For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.

Psalms 38:9

Lord, all my desire [is] before thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee.

Psalms 69:17

And hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in trouble: hear me speedily.