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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Matthew 6:8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/6-8.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/40_Mat_06_08.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 6:8 - The Lord's Prayer" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/matthew/6-8.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/matthew/6-8.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/matthew/">Matthew</a> > <a href="/matthew/6.htm">Chapter 6</a> > Verse 8</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad8.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/matthew/6-7.htm" title="Matthew 6:7">◄</a> Matthew 6:8 <a href="/matthew/6-9.htm" title="Matthew 6:9">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/matthew/6.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/matthew/6.htm">New International Version</a> Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. <a href="/nlt/matthew/6.htm">New Living Translation</a> Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! <a href="/esv/matthew/6.htm">English Standard Version</a> Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. <a href="/bsb/matthew/6.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. <a href="/blb/matthew/6.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Therefore do not be like to them, for your Father knows of what things you have need before your asking Him. <a href="/kjv/matthew/6.htm">King James Bible</a> Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. <a href="/nkjv/matthew/6.htm">New King James Version</a> “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. <a href="/nasb_/matthew/6.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. <a href="/nasb/matthew/6.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. <a href="/nasb77/matthew/6.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “Therefore do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need, before you ask Him. <a href="/lsb/matthew/6.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Therefore, do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. <a href="/amp/matthew/6.htm">Amplified Bible</a> So do not be like them [praying as they do]; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. <a href="/csb/matthew/6.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Don’t be like them, because your Father knows the things you need before you ask him. <a href="/hcsb/matthew/6.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Don&#8217t be like them, because your Father knows the things you need before you ask Him. <a href="/asv/matthew/6.htm">American Standard Version</a> Be not therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. <a href="/cev/matthew/6.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Don't be like them. Your Father knows what you need even before you ask. <a href="/erv/matthew/6.htm">English Revised Version</a> Be not therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. <a href="/gwt/matthew/6.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Don't be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. <a href="/gnt/matthew/6.htm">Good News Translation</a> Do not be like them. Your Father already knows what you need before you ask him. <a href="/isv/matthew/6.htm">International Standard Version</a> Don't be like them, because your Father knows what you need before you ask him. <a href="/msb/matthew/6.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. <a href="/net/matthew/6.htm">NET Bible</a> Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. <a href="/nheb/matthew/6.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Therefore do not be like them, for your Father knows what things you need, before you ask him. <a href="/wbt/matthew/6.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Therefore be ye not like them: for your Father knoweth what things ye need before ye ask him. <a href="/wey/matthew/6.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Do not, however, imitate them; for your Father knows what things you need before ever you ask Him. <a href="/web/matthew/6.htm">World English Bible</a> Therefore don’t be like them, for your Father knows what things you need before you ask him. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/matthew/6.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> therefore do not be like them, for your Father knows those things that you have need of before your asking Him; <a href="/blb/matthew/6.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Therefore do not be like to them, for your Father knows of what things you have need before your asking Him. <a href="/ylt/matthew/6.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> be ye not therefore like to them, for your Father doth know those things that ye have need of before your asking him; <a href="/slt/matthew/6.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Therefore make not yourselves like them: for your Father knows of what things ye have need before ye ask him.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/matthew/6.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Be not you therefore like to them, for your Father knoweth what is needful for you, before you ask him. <a href="/cpdv/matthew/6.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Therefore, do not choose to imitate them. For your Father knows what your needs may be, even before you ask him. <a href="/nabre/matthew/6.htm">New American Bible</a> Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. <a href="/nrsvce/matthew/6.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/matthew/6.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Therefore, do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need, before you ask him. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/6.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> Therefore you shall not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/matthew/6.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> Be not, therefore, like them; for your Father knows what things you need before you ask him.<CM> <a href="/godbey/matthew/6.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>Therefore be not like unto them: for your Father knows of what things you have need, before you ask him.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/matthew/6.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Be not ye therefore like them: for your Father knoweth of what things ye have need, before you ask him. <a href="/mace/matthew/6.htm">Mace New Testament</a> don't therefore imitate them: for your father knows what you want, before you ask him. <a href="/wey/matthew/6.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Do not, however, imitate them; for your Father knows what things you need before ever you ask Him. <a href="/worrell/matthew/6.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>Be not, therefore, like them; for your Father knoweth of what things ye have need before ye ask Him.<Fr> <a href="/worsley/matthew/6.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>be not ye therefore like them; for your Father knoweth what ye have need of before ye ask Him.<Fr> <a href="/parallel/matthew/6-8.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=1294" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/matthew/6.htm">The Lord's Prayer</a> …7And when you pray, do not babble on like pagans, for they think that by their many words they will be heard. 8<a href="/greek/3767.htm" title="3767: oun (Conj) -- Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly."></a> <a href="/greek/3361.htm" title="3361: mē (Adv) -- Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.">Do not</a> <a href="/greek/3666.htm" title="3666: homoiōthēte (V-ASP-2P) -- To make like, liken; I compare. From homoios; to assimilate, i.e. Compare; passively, to become similar.">be like</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autois (PPro-DM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">them,</a> <a href="/greek/1063.htm" title="1063: gar (Conj) -- For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.">for</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymōn (PPro-G2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">your</a> <a href="/greek/3962.htm" title="3962: Patēr (N-NMS) -- Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a father.">Father</a> <a href="/greek/1492.htm" title="1492: oiden (V-RIA-3S) -- To know, remember, appreciate. ">knows</a> <a href="/greek/3739.htm" title="3739: hōn (RelPro-GNP) -- Who, which, what, that. ">what</a> <a href="/greek/2192.htm" title="2192: echete (V-PIA-2P) -- To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.">you</a> <a href="/greek/5532.htm" title="5532: chreian (N-AFS) -- From the base of chraomai or chre; employment, i.e. An affair; also occasion, demand, requirement or destitution.">need</a> <a href="/greek/4253.htm" title="4253: pro (Prep) -- A primary preposition; fore, i.e. In front of, prior to.">before</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GNS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymas (PPro-A2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">you</a> <a href="/greek/154.htm" title="154: aitēsai (V-ANA) -- To ask, request, petition, demand. Of uncertain derivation; to ask.">ask</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: auton (PPro-AM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">Him.</a> 9So then, this is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/psalms/139-1.htm">Psalm 139:1-4</a> For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. O LORD, You have searched me and known me. / You know when I sit and when I rise; You understand my thoughts from afar. / You search out my path and my lying down; You are aware of all my ways. ... <a href="/isaiah/65-24.htm">Isaiah 65:24</a> Even before they call, I will answer, and while they are still speaking, I will hear. <a href="/1_john/3-20.htm">1 John 3:20</a> Even if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts, and He knows all things. <a href="/romans/8-26.htm">Romans 8:26-27</a> In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know how we ought to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words. / And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. <a href="/jeremiah/29-11.htm">Jeremiah 29:11</a> For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope. <a href="/1_kings/8-39.htm">1 Kings 8:39</a> be heard by You from heaven, Your dwelling place. And may You forgive and act, and repay each man according to all his ways, since You know his heart—for You alone know the hearts of all men— <a href="/hebrews/4-13.htm">Hebrews 4:13</a> 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. <a href="/proverbs/15-11.htm">Proverbs 15:11</a> Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD—how much more the hearts of men! <a href="/luke/12-30.htm">Luke 12:30</a> For the Gentiles of the world strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. <a href="/1_corinthians/2-11.htm">1 Corinthians 2:11</a> For who among men knows the thoughts of man except his own spirit within him? So too, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. <a href="/john/16-23.htm">John 16:23-24</a> In that day you will no longer ask Me anything. Truly, truly, I tell you, whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you. / Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete. <a href="/james/1-5.htm">James 1:5</a> Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. <a href="/philippians/4-19.htm">Philippians 4:19</a> And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. <a href="/ephesians/3-20.htm">Ephesians 3:20</a> Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, <a href="/psalms/38-9.htm">Psalm 38:9</a> O Lord, my every desire is before You; my groaning is not hidden from You.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Be not you therefore like to them: for your Father knows what things you have need of, before you ask him.your.<a href="/matthew/6-32.htm">Matthew 6:32</a> (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.<a href="/psalms/38-9.htm">Psalm 38:9</a> Lord, all my desire is before thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee.<a href="/psalms/69-17.htm">Psalm 69:17-19</a> And hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in trouble: hear me speedily… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/jonah/4-3.htm">Beg</a> <a href="/matthew/5-48.htm">However</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-48.htm">Imitate</a> <a href="/matthew/4-4.htm">Need</a> <a href="/jeremiah/10-5.htm">Needs</a> <a href="/micah/7-3.htm">Requests</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/27-20.htm">Beg</a> <a href="/matthew/6-23.htm">However</a> <a href="/matthew/23-3.htm">Imitate</a> <a href="/matthew/6-32.htm">Need</a> <a href="/matthew/6-11.htm">Needs</a> <a href="/matthew/7-11.htm">Requests</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 6</div>1. <a href="/matthew/6-1.htm">Giving to the Needy</a> 5. <a href="/matthew/6-5.htm">The Lord's Prayer</a> 16. <a href="/matthew/6-16.htm">Proper Fasting</a> 19. <a href="/matthew/6-19.htm">Store up Treasures in Heaven</a> 25. <a href="/matthew/6-25.htm">Do Not Worry</a> 33. <a href="/matthew/6-33.htm">but seek God's kingdom.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/6.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/6.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Do not be like them This phrase refers to the preceding verses where Jesus warns against the practices of the hypocrites and pagans in their prayers. In the cultural context of the time, many religious leaders and pagans engaged in lengthy, repetitive prayers to be seen by others or to manipulate their gods. Jesus emphasizes a different approach, focusing on sincerity and humility. This teaching aligns with the broader biblical theme of God desiring genuine worship from the heart, as seen in passages like <a href="/isaiah/29-13.htm">Isaiah 29:13</a>, where God criticizes those who honor Him with their lips while their hearts are far from Him.for your Father knows This statement underscores the intimate relationship between God and believers, portraying God as a caring Father. The concept of God as Father is a central theme in the New Testament, highlighting His personal and loving nature. This contrasts with the distant and impersonal deities of the surrounding pagan cultures. The idea that God knows His children intimately is echoed in <a href="/psalms/139.htm">Psalm 139</a>, where David speaks of God's complete knowledge of him.what you need This phrase emphasizes God's omniscience and His understanding of our true needs, not just our wants or desires. It reflects the biblical principle that God provides for His people, as seen in <a href="/philippians/4-19.htm">Philippians 4:19</a>, where Paul assures that God will supply all needs according to His riches in glory. This assurance encourages believers to trust in God's provision and wisdom, rather than relying on their own understanding.before you ask Him This highlights God's foreknowledge and His proactive care for His children. It suggests that prayer is not about informing God of our needs but about aligning ourselves with His will and acknowledging our dependence on Him. This concept is supported by passages like <a href="/romans/8-26.htm">Romans 8:26-27</a>, where the Spirit intercedes for believers according to God's will. It also reflects the prophetic nature of God's knowledge, as seen in <a href="/isaiah/46-10.htm">Isaiah 46:10</a>, where God declares the end from the beginning.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> The speaker of this verse, delivering the Sermon on the Mount, which is a foundational teaching of Christian ethics and spirituality. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_disciples.htm">The Disciples</a> The primary audience of Jesus' teachings in the Sermon on the Mount, representing all followers of Christ. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_father.htm">The Father (God)</a> Referred to by Jesus as the one who knows our needs, emphasizing a personal and intimate relationship with God. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_gentiles.htm">The Gentiles</a> Mentioned in the preceding verses as those who use many words in prayer, highlighting a contrast between their practices and the teachings of Jesus. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_sermon_on_the_mount.htm">The Sermon on the Mount</a> The setting of this teaching, a collection of Jesus' teachings found in Matthew chapters 5-7.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_omniscience.htm">Trust in God's Omniscience</a> Recognize that God is fully aware of our needs, which should lead us to trust Him more deeply in our prayer life. <a href="/topical/s/simplicity_in_prayer.htm">Simplicity in Prayer</a> Avoid vain repetitions and lengthy prayers for the sake of being heard by others. Instead, focus on sincere and heartfelt communication with God. <a href="/topical/i/intimacy_with_the_father.htm">Intimacy with the Father</a> Embrace the personal relationship we have with God as our Father, which allows us to approach Him with confidence and openness. <a href="/topical/f/faith_in_god's_provision.htm">Faith in God's Provision</a> Rest in the assurance that God, who knows our needs, is also faithful to provide for them according to His will and timing. <a href="/topical/c/contrast_with_worldly_practices.htm">Contrast with Worldly Practices</a> Be mindful of the differences between Christian prayer and the practices of those who do not know God, ensuring our prayers reflect our faith and trust in Him.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_6.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 6</a> <a href="/q/why_pray_if_god_knows_our_needs.htm">Matthew 6:8: If God already knows our needs, why pray at all? </a> <a href="/q/is_god_all-knowing_and_all-powerful.htm">Is God all-knowing and all-powerful?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_god's_foreknowledge_align_with_free_will.htm">Psalm 139:1–4: How does God’s complete foreknowledge of every thought and word align with genuine human free will? </a> <a href="/q/hudson_taylor__bio,_quotes,_legacy.htm">What is Hudson Taylor's biography, quotes, and legacy?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/6.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(8) Your Father knoweth.--This truth is rightly made the ground of prayer in one of the noblest collects of the Prayer Book of the English Church--"Almighty God, the Fountain of all wisdom, who knowest our necessities before we ask, and our ignorance in asking." Comp. St. Paul's "We know not what we should pray for as we ought" (<a href="/romans/8-26.htm" title="Likewise the Spirit also helps our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.">Romans 8:26</a>). But why then, it may be asked, pray at all? Why "make our requests known unto God" (<a href="/philippians/4-6.htm" title="Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.">Philippians 4:6</a>)? Logically, it may be, the question never has been, and never can be, answered. As in the parallel question of foreknowledge and free will, we are brought into a region in which convictions that seem, each of them, axiomatic, appear to contradict each other. All that can be done is to suggest partial solutions of the problem. We bring our wants and desires to God (1) that we may see them as He sees them, judge how far they are selfish or capricious, how far they are in harmony with His will; (2) that we may, in the thought of that Presence and its infinite holiness, feel that all other prayers--those which are but the expression of wishes for earthly good, or deliverance from earthly evil--are of infinitely little moment as compared with deliverance from the penalty and the power of the sin which we have made our own; (3) that, conscious of our weakness, we may gain strength for the work and the conflict of life in communion with the Eternal, who is in very deed a "Power that makes for righteousness." These are, if we may so speak, the lines upon which the Lord's Prayer has been constructed, and all other prayers are excellent in proportion as they approach that pattern. Partial deviations from it, as in prayers for fine weather, for plenty, and for victory, are yet legitimate (though they drift in a wrong direction), as the natural utterance of natural wants, which, if repressed, would find expression in superstition or despair. It is better that even these petitions, though not the highest form of prayer, should be purified by their association with the highest, than that they should remain unuttered as passionate cravings or, it may be, murmuring regrets.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/6.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 8. - Be not ye therefore like. Revised Version omits "ye," as the emphatic personal pronoun is not expressed. The connexion of thought is - Seeing you are expected to shun heathen error (Meyer), do not allow yourselves to reproduce heathen practices. By observing these you would be taking a definite way of becoming like (passive, or rather middle, ὁμοιωθῆτε) those who ordinarily practise them. For; i.e. you stand on a different footing altogether from the heathen; you are intimately related to One above, who knows your wants, even before you express them to him. Your Father; Revised Version margin, "some ancient authorities read God your Father." So אָ, B, sah. (ὁ Θεός is bracketed by Westcott and Hort). The insertion is at first sight suspicious, but as there is no trace of such an addition in vers. 1, 4, 6, 14. 18 (in ver. 32 only אָ), it is hard to see why it should have been interpolated here. Its omission, on the other hand, is easily accounted for by its absence in those passages. The internal evidence, therefore, corroborates the strong external evidence of אָ, B. Our Lord here said "God" to emphasize the majesty and power of "your Father." Knoweth; i.e. intuitively (οϊδεν); el. ver. 32. <a href="/commentaries/matthew/6-8.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>[Do] not μὴ (mē) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3361.htm">Strong's 3361: </a> Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether. be like ὁμοιωθῆτε (homoiōthēte) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Passive - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3666.htm">Strong's 3666: </a> To make like, liken; I compare. From homoios; to assimilate, i.e. Compare; passively, to become similar. them, αὐτοῖς (autois) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. for γὰρ (gar) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1063.htm">Strong's 1063: </a> For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason. your ὑμῶν (hymōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. Father Πατὴρ (Patēr) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3962.htm">Strong's 3962: </a> Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'. knows οἶδεν (oiden) Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1492.htm">Strong's 1492: </a> To know, remember, appreciate. what ὧν (hōn) Personal / Relative Pronoun - Genitive Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3739.htm">Strong's 3739: </a> Who, which, what, that. you ἔχετε (echete) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2192.htm">Strong's 2192: </a> To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold. need χρείαν (chreian) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5532.htm">Strong's 5532: </a> From the base of chraomai or chre; employment, i.e. An affair; also occasion, demand, requirement or destitution. before πρὸ (pro) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_4253.htm">Strong's 4253: </a> A primary preposition; 'fore', i.e. In front of, prior to. you ὑμᾶς (hymas) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. ask αἰτῆσαι (aitēsai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_154.htm">Strong's 154: </a> To ask, request, petition, demand. Of uncertain derivation; to ask. Him. αὐτόν (auton) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/6-8.htm">Matthew 6:8 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/matthew/6-8.htm">Matthew 6:8 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/matthew/6-8.htm">Matthew 6:8 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/matthew/6-8.htm">Matthew 6:8 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/matthew/6-8.htm">Matthew 6:8 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/6-8.htm">Matthew 6:8 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/6-8.htm">Matthew 6:8 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/6-8.htm">Matthew 6:8 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/6-8.htm">Matthew 6:8 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/matthew/6-8.htm">Matthew 6:8 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/matthew/6-8.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 6:8 Therefore don't be like them for your (Matt. 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