Matthew 6:8

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

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}.

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

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

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

Commentary

Matthew 6:8, nestled within Jesus' transformative Sermon on the Mount, offers a profound insight into the nature of true prayer and God's intimate character. It immediately follows Jesus' instruction against hypocritical and repetitive prayer, asserting that our Heavenly Father is already aware of our needs even before we utter a word.

Context

This verse is part of Jesus' teaching on proper spiritual practices in Matthew chapter 6, specifically focusing on prayer. Leading up to this, Jesus warns His disciples not to pray like the hypocrites who seek public admiration (Matthew 6:5) or like the Gentiles who use "vain repetitions" (Matthew 6:7). The command, "Be not ye therefore like unto them," directly refers to these two groups, urging a distinct, authentic approach to communion with God. This verse serves as a foundational principle before Jesus provides the model prayer, famously known as the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13).

Key Themes

  • Divine Omniscience and Providence: The central message is God's perfect and complete knowledge of our circumstances, thoughts, and desires. He is not a distant, uninformed deity who needs to be persuaded or educated through our prayers, but a compassionate Father who already knows our deepest needs. This truth offers immense comfort and reassurance to believers.
  • Authenticity in Prayer: Since God already knows, the purpose of prayer is not to inform Him or to convince Him with eloquent or lengthy words. Instead, it fosters a genuine, unburdened, and sincere relationship built on trust and dependence. It is about aligning our hearts with God's will and expressing our reliance on Him.
  • God as a Loving Father: The phrase "your Father knoweth" emphasizes the intimate, relational aspect of God. He is portrayed not as a demanding king but as a caring parent who anticipates the needs of His children. This underscores the personal and benevolent nature of God, echoing other passages that highlight His care, such as Luke 12:30.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "knoweth" is oida (οἶδα), which signifies an intuitive, complete, and inherent knowledge, rather than merely intellectual understanding gained through observation. It implies a deep, experiential awareness on God's part. The term "Father" (patēr, πατήρ) is crucial, highlighting the personal and affectionate relationship Jesus encourages believers to have with God, contrasting sharply with the impersonal or transactional view of deities prevalent in the pagan world.

Practical Application

Matthew 6:8 liberates believers from the pressure of "getting prayer right" in terms of performance. It teaches that prayer is fundamentally about relationship and dependence, not about informing or persuading God. We pray not to educate God, but to express our trust, to align our will with His, and to engage in intimate communion with the One who already knows and deeply cares for us. This understanding encourages sincere, humble, and heartfelt prayer, fostering confidence that our Heavenly Father is always attentive to the cries of His children and delights in providing for them, as He promises to supply all our needs according to His riches in glory.

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Cross-References

  • Matthew 6:32 (37 votes)

    (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 (32 votes)

    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 (28 votes)

    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 (27 votes)

    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 (27 votes)

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

  • Psalms 38:9 (17 votes)

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

  • Psalms 69:17 (15 votes)

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