53 – Sermon on the Mount Part 4, Matthew 6:1-18

Matthew 6:1 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.

2 “So when you [a]give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 3 But when you [b]give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your [c]giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

5 “When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners [d]so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 6 But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

7 “And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. 8 So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

9 “Pray, then, in this way:

‘Our Father who is in heaven,

Hallowed be Your name.

10

‘Your kingdom come.

Your will be done,

On earth as it is in heaven.

11

‘Give us this day [e]our daily bread.

12

‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

13

‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from [f]evil. [g][For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’]

14 For if you forgive [h]others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive [i]others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.

16 “Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they [j]neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face 18 so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

Footnotes

a. Matthew 6:2 Or give alms

b. Matthew 6:3 Or give alms

c. Matthew 6:4 Or alms

d. Matthew 6:5 Lit to be apparent to men

e. Matthew 6:11 Or our bread for tomorrow

f. Matthew 6:13 Or the evil one

g. Matthew 6:13 This clause not found in early mss

h. Matthew 6:14 Gr anthropoi

I. Matthew 6:15 Gr anthropoi

j. Matthew 6:16 Lit distort their faces, i.e. discolor their faces with makeup

Commentary

This section of Jesus’s teaching focuses on the proper and improper ways to worship, through giving, prayer, and fasting.

Giving

Jesus alludes to an apparently well-known phenomenon, which he calls “sounding a trumpet” when giving. This may have been metaphorical, but there are some theories as to a literal interpretation. “It has been supposed (1) that the wealthy Pharisees had a trumpet literally blown before them, to give notice to the poor of the neighbourhood that they were distributing their alms; (2) that the words refer to the clang of the money as it fell into the metal trumpet-shaped alms-boxes which were found in the synagogue, a clang which came as sweet music to the ears of the purse-proud giver” (https://biblehub.com/commentaries/matthew/6-2.htm). Either way, the implication of the remonstrance from Jesus is the same.

Prayer

When Jesus addresses repetitious prayer or worship, He is referring to the common practice of babbling which was “characteristic of the heathen. A good example of this is found in the ecstatic babblings of the false prophets in the Old Testament and in the prophets of Baal who confronted Elijah on Mt. Carmel (cf. I Kgs 18:26-29).Jesus condemns the use of empty repetition as an attempt to overcome the will of God by wearing Him out” (Nelson KJV Bible Commentary pg. 1183).

Having just finished condemning vain repetition, Jesus does not give His example of prayer in order for those exact words to be repeated over and over by His audience. The prayer contains elements which can be adopted by the Christian wishing to commune with God in any context. The prayer is succinct and lacks flowery embellishment. Jesus begins with, “Our Father”, a phrase that implies the speaker has been born again as a son or daughter of God. It opens with praise of God, follows with submission to the will of God, as well as a request for specific provision, and continues with a request for forgiveness and deliverance, closing with further praise and thanksgiving. I’ve heard it broken down this way; when you pray, begin by glorifying God, then expressing thanksgiving, asking for forgiveness, praying for others, and finally for self.

An idea further worth exploring is Jesus’s use of the collective pronoun, translated as ‘us’. We are to pray for the whole of God’s kingdom and the whole of His will to be realized. “The disciples were not to think of their own convenience as their foremost expression in prayer, but the full and quick realization of the effective rule of God on earth in the hearts of men… Prayer is an act of spiritual conformity to the very nature and purpose of God” (Nelson KJV Bible Commentary pg. 1184).

We read in the footnotes that the closing phrase of the Lord’s Prayer, “for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen” is not in all manuscripts. This is not to say it was or was not part of Jesus’s teaching, but it is a reference to I Chronicles 29:11 and fits well in the context of this prayer.

Fasting

In the footnotes for letter ‘j’, it says that neglecting their appearance may actually have been an active discoloration of their faces with makeup. The Nelson KJV Bible Commentary says this was often accomplished with dust and ashes, per Isaiah 61:3. “In the original, there is a play upon two cognate words meaning, “they make their faces unappearable,” that they may “appear unto men”” (Nelson KJV Bible Commentary pg. 1185). These days, some worshippers still use ashes on their faces on Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of their period of sacrifice for Lent.

Practices like public prayer and fasting are not honored in today’s society, as they were in Jesus’s day, so praying and fasting in secret are much easier to do now. In fact, doing so in private may preserve our pride more than a public announcement would enhance our righteous reputation. Just gather any group of Christians and ask someone to pray out loud; see how many eyes are averted to avoid volunteering for this task. But are there other ways we call attention to ourselves today, whether in Christian or secular circles? I’m not setting out to speculate about an answer to this question, but just to leave you with something to consider on your own.

View the next post here https://onthepath.online/2020/03/28/sermon-on-the-mount-part-5/

Scripture References

Verse 1

Matthew 23:5 All their deeds are done for men to see. They broaden their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.

Acts 3:12 When Peter saw this, he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why are you surprised by this? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?

Verse 2

Proverbs 20:6 Many a man proclaims his loving devotion, but who can find a trustworthy man?

Matthew 23:5 All their deeds are done for men to see. They broaden their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.

Luke 6:24 But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort.

1 Corinthians 13:3 If I give all I possess to the poor and exult in the surrender of my body, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Verse 4

Proverbs 25:22 For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.

Jeremiah 17:10 I, the LORD, search the heart; I test the mind to reward a man according to his way, by what his deeds deserve.

Hebrews 4:13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

Verse 5

Matthew 23:5 All their deeds are done for men to see. They broaden their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.

Mark 11:25 And when you stand to pray, if you hold anything against another, forgive it, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your trespasses as well.”

Luke 6:24 But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort.

Luke 18:11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like the other men–swindlers, evildoers, adulterers–or even like this tax collector.

Luke 18:13 But the tax collector stood at a distance, unwilling even to lift up his eyes to heaven. Instead, he beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner!’

Verse 6

2 Kings 4:33 So he went in, closed the door behind the two of them, and prayed to the LORD.

Proverbs 25:22 For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.

Isaiah 26:20 Go, my people, enter your rooms and shut your doors behind you. Hide yourselves a little while until the wrath has passed.

Matthew 26:36 At that time Jesus went with His disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and He told them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”

Acts 9:40 Then Peter sent them all out of the room. He knelt down and prayed, and turning toward her body, he said, “Tabitha, get up!” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up.

Verse 7

1 Kings 18:26 And they took the bull that was given them, prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, shouting, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no sound, and no one answered as they leaped around the altar they had made.

Ecclesiastes 5:2 Do not be hasty to speak, and do not let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God. After all, God is in heaven and you are on earth. So let your words be few.

Verse 8

Psalm 38:9 O Lord, my every desire is before You; my groaning is not hidden from You.

Psalm 69:17 Hide not Your face from Your servant, for I am in distress. Answer me quickly!

Matthew 6:32 For the pagans strive after all these things, and your Heavenly Father knows that you need them.

Luke 12:30 For the nations of the world strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them.

Verse 9

2 Samuel 7:26 so that Your name will be magnified forever when it is said, ‘The LORD of Hosts is God over Israel.’ And the house of Your servant David will be established before You.

Matthew 23:9 And do not call anyone on earth your father, for you have one Father, who is in heaven.

Luke 11:2 So Jesus told them, “When you pray, say: ‘Father, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come.

1 Peter 1:17 Since you call on a Father who judges each one’s work impartially, conduct yourselves in reverent fear during your stay as foreigners.

Verse 10

Psalm 103:20 Bless the LORD, all His angels mighty in strength, who do His word, who hearken to the voice of his command.

Matthew 3:2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

Matthew 4:17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

Matthew 26:42 A second time He went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cup cannot pass unless I drink it, may Your will be done.”

Luke 22:42 “Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me. Yet not My will, but Yours be done.”

Acts 21:14 When he would not be dissuaded, we fell silent and said, “The Lord’s will be done.”

Verse 11

Ruth 1:6 When Naomi heard in Moab that the LORD had attended to His people by providing them with food, she and her daughters-in-law prepared to leave the land of Moab.

Proverbs 30:8 Keep falsehood and deceitful words far from me. Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the bread that is my portion.

Isaiah 33:16 he will dwell on the heights; his refuge will be the mountain fortress; his food will be provided and his water assured.

Luke 11:3 Give us each day our daily bread.

Verse 12

Exodus 34:7 maintaining loving devotion to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin. Yet He will by no means excuse the guilty; He will visit the iniquity of the fathers on their children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.”

Psalm 32:1 Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered!

Psalm 130:4 But with You there is forgiveness, that You may be feared.

Matthew 9:2 Just then, some men brought to Him a paralytic lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven.”

Matthew 18:33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had on you?’

Matthew 26:28 This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

Luke 13:4 Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam collapsed on them: Do you think that they were more sinful than all the others living in Jerusalem?

Ephesians 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace,

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

Verse 13

1 Chronicles 29:11 Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the splendor and the majesty, for everything in heaven and on earth belongs to You. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom, and You are exalted as head over all.

Psalm 22:28 For dominion belongs to the LORD and He rules over the nations.

Matthew 5:37 Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ Anything more comes from the evil one.

Luke 22:40 When He came to the place, He told them, “Pray that you will not enter into temptation.”

John 17:15 I am not asking that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one.

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide an escape, so that you can stand up under it.

2 Thessalonians 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.

2 Timothy 4:18 And the Lord will rescue me from every evil action and bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

2 Peter 2:9 if all this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment.

1 John 5:18 We know that anyone born of God does not keep on sinning; the One who was born of God protects him, and the evil one cannot touch him.

Verse 14

Matthew 5:7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Matthew 7:2 For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Matthew 18:35 That is how My Heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”

Mark 11:25 And when you stand to pray, if you hold anything against another, forgive it, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your trespasses as well.”

Luke 6:37 Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and tender-hearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.

Colossians 3:13 Bear with each other and forgive any complaint you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Verse 15

Matthew 5:7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Matthew 18:35 That is how My Heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”

Mark 11:26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

Verse 16

Isaiah 58:5 Is this the fast I have chosen, a day for a man to deny himself, to bow his head like a reed, and to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast and a day acceptable to the LORD?

Verse 17

Ruth 3:3 Therefore wash yourself, put on perfume, and wear your best clothes. Go down to the threshing floor, but do not let the man know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking.

2 Samuel 12:20 Then David got up from the ground, washed and anointed himself, changed his clothes, and went into the house of the LORD and worshiped. Then he went to his own house, and at his request they set food before him, and he ate.

Commentary

1 Chronicles 29:11 Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Yours is the dominion, O Lord, and You exalt Yourself as head over all.

Isaiah 61:3 To grant those who mourn in Zion, Giving them a garland instead of ashes, The oil of gladness instead of mourning, The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified