Matthew 6:5 Meaning and Explanation
“And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jesus warns that prayer performed for an audience receives only the audience's applause, and nothing more.
The Context of Matthew 6:5
Jesus is teaching on the mountainside about the hidden life with God. He has just spoken of giving in secret, and now He turns to prayer, holding up a picture His hearers would recognize: the showy public prayer that is aimed at people rather than at God.
What Does Matthew 6:5 Mean?
Jesus draws a familiar scene. Some prayed standing in the synagogues and at the busy street corners, where the most people would notice, choosing the moment and the spot for maximum visibility. Their words went up, but their eyes were on the crowd. Jesus calls this being a 'hypocrite,' a word that meant a stage actor, someone playing a part for an audience. The prayer was real-sounding, yet it was a performance.
And Jesus says something quietly sobering: 'They have their reward.' The applause and the admiring glances are all they will get, paid in full, with nothing left over from God. In the next verse He points to the better way, the closed door and the unseen Father who hears. He Himself often slipped away alone to pray, and He invites us into that same hidden closeness, where God is the only audience we need.
Matthew 6:5 in the Original Language
hupokrites (ὑποκριτής), 'hypocrite' -- a stage actor, one who plays a part, wearing a face that is not his own.
How to Apply Matthew 6:5 Today
Prayer is meant for God's ears, not for an audience, and Jesus frees us from the strain of performing our faith. He invites us to the quiet place where the Father sees and hears, the same place He so often went Himself.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 6:5
What does Matthew 6:5 mean?
Jesus warns that prayer performed for an audience receives only the audience's applause, and nothing more.
What is the context of Matthew 6:5?
Jesus is teaching on the mountainside about the hidden life with God. He has just spoken of giving in secret, and now He turns to prayer, holding up a picture His hearers would recognize: the showy public prayer that is aimed at people rather than at God.
How can I apply Matthew 6:5 today?
Prayer is meant for God's ears, not for an audience, and Jesus frees us from the strain of performing our faith. He invites us to the quiet place where the Father sees and hears, the same place He so often went Himself.