Matthew 6:7 Meaning and Explanation
“But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Prayer is not measured by its volume of words; piling up phrases to wear God down misunderstands who He is.
What Does Matthew 6:7 Mean?
Having dealt with the motive of prayer, Jesus turns to its manner. He contrasts true prayer with the practice of those who heaped up words and titles, imagining that the gods could be moved by sheer quantity of speech or persuaded by endless babbling.
The error is to treat prayer as a technique that pressures an unwilling deity, as if God must be talked into hearing. The Father is not like that. He is not won over by length, nor impressed by repetition emptied of meaning. This is no ban on persistence or on heartfelt, repeated petition -- Jesus Himself prayed through the night. It is a warning against mistaking many words for real prayer, against speaking to fill silence rather than to seek God.
Matthew 6:7 in the Original Language
battalogeo (βατταλογέω), 'use vain repetitions' -- to babble or stammer, heaping up empty words.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 6:7
What does Matthew 6:7 mean?
Prayer is not measured by its volume of words; piling up phrases to wear God down misunderstands who He is.