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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 6:7 And when you pray, do not babble on like pagans, for they think that by their many words they will be heard.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/6-7.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/18/40_Mat_06_07.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 6:7 - The Lord's Prayer" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="And when you pray, do not babble on like pagans, for they think that by their many words they will be heard." /><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/6-7.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/6-7.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 7</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="/ad7.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/6-6.htm" title="Matthew 6:6">◄</a> Matthew 6:7 <a href="/matthew/6-8.htm" title="Matthew 6:8">►</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> And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. <a href="/nlt/matthew/6.htm">New Living Translation</a> “When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. <a href="/esv/matthew/6.htm">English Standard Version</a> “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. <a href="/bsb/matthew/6.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> And when you pray, do not babble on like pagans, for they think that by their many words they will be heard. <a href="/blb/matthew/6.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And praying, do not use vain repetitions like the pagans, for they think that in their many words they will be heard. <a href="/kjv/matthew/6.htm">King James Bible</a> But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. <a href="/nkjv/matthew/6.htm">New King James Version</a> And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. <a href="/nasb_/matthew/6.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> “And when you are praying, do not use thoughtless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. <a href="/nasb/matthew/6.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220And 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. <a href="/nasb77/matthew/6.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “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. <a href="/lsb/matthew/6.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> “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. <a href="/amp/matthew/6.htm">Amplified Bible</a> “And when you pray, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. <a href="/csb/matthew/6.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> When you pray, don’t babble like the Gentiles, since they imagine they’ll be heard for their many words. <a href="/hcsb/matthew/6.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> When you pray, don&#8217t babble like the idolaters, since they imagine they&#8217ll be heard for their many words. <a href="/asv/matthew/6.htm">American Standard Version</a> And in praying use not vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. <a href="/cev/matthew/6.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> When you pray, don't talk on and on as people do who don't know God. They think God likes to hear long prayers. <a href="/erv/matthew/6.htm">English Revised Version</a> And in praying use not vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. <a href="/gwt/matthew/6.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> "When you pray, don't ramble like heathens who think they'll be heard if they talk a lot. <a href="/gnt/matthew/6.htm">Good News Translation</a> "When you pray, do not use a lot of meaningless words, as the pagans do, who think that their gods will hear them because their prayers are long. <a href="/isv/matthew/6.htm">International Standard Version</a> "When you are praying, don't say meaningless things like the unbelievers do, because they think they will be heard by being so wordy. <a href="/msb/matthew/6.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> And when you pray, do not babble on like pagans, for they think that by their many words they will be heard. <a href="/net/matthew/6.htm">NET Bible</a> When you pray, do not babble repetitiously like the Gentiles, because they think that by their many words they will be heard. <a href="/nheb/matthew/6.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> And in praying, do not use vain repetitions, as the unbelievers do; for they think that they will be heard for their much speaking. <a href="/wbt/matthew/6.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. <a href="/wey/matthew/6.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "And when praying, do not use needless repetitions as the Gentiles do, for they expect to be listened to because of their multitude of words. <a href="/web/matthew/6.htm">World English Bible</a> In praying, don’t use vain repetitions as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their much speaking. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/matthew/6.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And—praying—you may not use vain repetitions like the nations, for they think that in their speaking much they will be heard, <a href="/blb/matthew/6.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And praying, do not use vain repetitions like the pagans, for they think that in their many words they will be heard. <a href="/ylt/matthew/6.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> 'And -- praying -- ye may not use vain repetitions like the nations, for they think that in their much speaking they shall be heard, <a href="/slt/matthew/6.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And praying, talk ye not vainly as the nations; for they think that by their profaneness of speech they shall be listened to.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/matthew/6.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And when you are praying, speak not much, as the heathens. For they think that in their much speaking they may be heard. <a href="/cpdv/matthew/6.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And when praying, do not choose many words, as the pagans do. For they think that by their excess of words they might be heeded. <a href="/nabre/matthew/6.htm">New American Bible</a> In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. <a href="/nrsvce/matthew/6.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> “When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/matthew/6.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And when you pray, do not repeat your words like the pagans, for they think that because of much talking they will be heard. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/6.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And whenever you are praying, you shall not be verbose like the heathen, for they think that they are heard by speaking much<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/matthew/6.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> But when you pray, do not use vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they will be heard for their many words. <a href="/godbey/matthew/6.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>And praying do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do: for they think they shall be heard in their much speaking.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/matthew/6.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> And when thou art at prayer, use not vain repetitions, like the heathen: for they imagine that they shall be heard for their much speaking. <a href="/mace/matthew/6.htm">Mace New Testament</a> When you pray, be not verbose, as the heathen are: for they think they shall be heard for their loquaciousness. <a href="/wey/matthew/6.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "And when praying, do not use needless repetitions as the Gentiles do, for they expect to be listened to because of their multitude of words. <a href="/worrell/matthew/6.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>"And, when praying, use not vain repetitions, as the gentiles do; for they think that for their much speaking they shall be heard.<Fr> <a href="/worsley/matthew/6.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathens do, for they think they shall be heard for their speaking much:<Fr> <a href="/parallel/matthew/6-7.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=1285" 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> …6But when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7<a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">And</a> <a href="/greek/4336.htm" title="4336: Proseuchomenoi (V-PPM/P-NMP) -- To pray, pray for, offer prayer. From pros and euchomai; to pray to God, i.e. Supplicate, worship.">when you pray,</a> <a href="/greek/945.htm" title="945: battalogēsēte (V-ASA-2P) -- To chatter, be long-winded, utter empty words, stammer, repeat. From Battos and logos; to stutter, i.e. to prate tediously.">do not babble on</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."></a> <a href="/greek/5618.htm" title="5618: hōsper (Adv) -- Just as, as, even as. From hos and per; just as, i.e. Exactly like.">like</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hoi (Art-NMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/1482.htm" title="1482: ethnikoi (Adj-NMP) -- Pagan, heathen, gentile; subst: a Gentile, non-Jew. From ethnos; national, i.e. a Gentile.">pagans,</a> <a href="/greek/1063.htm" title="1063: gar (Conj) -- For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.">for</a> <a href="/greek/1380.htm" title="1380: dokousin (V-PIA-3P) -- A prolonged form of a primary verb, doko dok'-o of the same meaning; to think; by implication, to seem.">they think</a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.">that</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">by</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tē (Art-DFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autōn (PPro-GM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">their</a> <a href="/greek/4180.htm" title="4180: polylogia (N-DFS) -- Much-speaking, loquacity. From a compound of polus and logos; loquacity, i.e. Prolixity.">many words</a> <a href="/greek/1522.htm" title="1522: eisakousthēsontai (V-FIP-3P) -- To hear, listen to, heed. From eis and akouo; to listen to.">they will be heard.</a> 8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.…<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="/ecclesiastes/5-2.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:2</a> Do not be quick to speak, and do not be hasty in your heart to utter a word before God. For God is in heaven and you are on earth. So let your words be few. <a href="/1_kings/18-26.htm">1 Kings 18:26-29</a> 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. / At noon Elijah began to taunt them, saying, “Shout louder, for he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or occupied, or on a journey. Perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened!” / So they shouted louder and cut themselves with knives and lances, as was their custom, until the blood gushed over them. ... <a href="/isaiah/1-15.htm">Isaiah 1:15</a> When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you multiply your prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood. <a href="/proverbs/10-19.htm">Proverbs 10:19</a> When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise. <a href="/james/5-16.htm">James 5:16</a> Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail. <a href="/luke/18-10.htm">Luke 18:10-14</a> “Two men went up to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. / The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—swindlers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. / I fast twice a week and pay tithes of all that I acquire.’ ... <a href="/1_samuel/1-12.htm">1 Samuel 1:12-15</a> As Hannah kept on praying before the LORD, Eli watched her mouth. / Hannah was praying in her heart, and though her lips were moving, her voice could not be heard. So Eli thought she was drunk / and said to her, “How long will you be drunk? Put away your wine!” ... <a href="/isaiah/29-13.htm">Isaiah 29:13</a> Therefore the Lord said: “These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught by men. <a href="/jeremiah/29-12.htm">Jeremiah 29:12-13</a> Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. / You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. <a href="/hosea/7-14.htm">Hosea 7:14</a> They do not cry out to Me from their hearts when they wail upon their beds. They slash themselves for grain and new wine, but turn away from Me. <a href="/mark/12-40.htm">Mark 12:40</a> They defraud widows of their houses, and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will receive greater condemnation.” <a href="/romans/8-26.htm">Romans 8:26</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. <a href="/1_thessalonians/5-17.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:17</a> Pray without ceasing. <a href="/1_peter/3-12.htm">1 Peter 3:12</a> For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” <a href="/psalms/19-14.htm">Psalm 19:14</a> May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>But when you pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.use.<a href="/1_kings/18-26.htm">1 Kings 18:26-29</a> And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made… <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-2.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:2,3,7</a> Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few… <a href="/acts/19-34.htm">Acts 19:34</a> But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.repetitions.<a href="/matthew/26-39.htm">Matthew 26:39,42,44</a> And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt… <a href="/1_kings/8-26.htm">1 Kings 8:26-54</a> And now, O God of Israel, let thy word, I pray thee, be verified, which thou spakest unto thy servant David my father… <a href="/daniel/9-18.htm">Daniel 9:18,19</a> O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies… the heathen.<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="/matthew/18-17.htm">Matthew 18:17</a> And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/23-29.htm">Babbling</a> <a href="/zechariah/10-2.htm">Empty</a> <a href="/ezekiel/13-6.htm">Expect</a> <a href="/matthew/5-47.htm">Gentiles</a> <a href="/zechariah/9-3.htm">Heap</a> <a href="/matthew/5-43.htm">Heard</a> <a href="/malachi/1-14.htm">Heathen</a> <a href="/esther/4-13.htm">Idea</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-23.htm">Meaningless</a> <a href="/matthew/5-1.htm">Multitude</a> <a href="/matthew/4-15.htm">Nations</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-29.htm">Needless</a> <a href="/matthew/6-6.htm">Prayer</a> <a href="/matthew/6-5.htm">Praying</a> <a href="/genesis/41-32.htm">Repetition</a> <a href="/malachi/3-13.htm">Speaking</a> <a href="/matthew/5-17.htm">Suppose</a> <a href="/matthew/5-17.htm">Think</a> <a href="/matthew/5-44.htm">Use</a> <a href="/malachi/3-14.htm">Vain</a> <a href="/matthew/5-37.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/10-8.htm">Babbling</a> <a href="/matthew/12-44.htm">Empty</a> <a href="/matthew/11-3.htm">Expect</a> <a href="/matthew/6-32.htm">Gentiles</a> <a href="/romans/12-20.htm">Heap</a> <a href="/matthew/8-10.htm">Heard</a> <a href="/matthew/18-17.htm">Heathen</a> <a href="/matthew/20-10.htm">Idea</a> <a href="/1_timothy/1-6.htm">Meaningless</a> <a href="/matthew/9-8.htm">Multitude</a> <a href="/matthew/10-5.htm">Nations</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-29.htm">Needless</a> <a href="/matthew/6-9.htm">Prayer</a> <a href="/matthew/26-41.htm">Praying</a> <a href="/genesis/41-32.htm">Repetition</a> <a href="/matthew/9-18.htm">Speaking</a> <a href="/matthew/10-34.htm">Suppose</a> <a href="/matthew/6-24.htm">Think</a> <a href="/matthew/7-2.htm">Use</a> <a href="/matthew/15-9.htm">Vain</a> <a href="/matthew/7-24.htm">Words</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>And when you pray Prayer is a central practice in the life of a believer, reflecting a personal relationship with God. In the Jewish tradition, prayer was a daily practice, with set times and specific prayers. Jesus emphasizes the importance of sincere communication with God, contrasting with the ritualistic and often mechanical prayers of the time. This phrase sets the stage for a teaching on the nature of true prayer, which is not about formality but about heartfelt communication with the Father.do not babble on like pagans The term "babble" refers to the repetitive and meaningless words often used in pagan prayers. In the Greco-Roman world, it was common for pagans to use long, elaborate prayers to invoke their gods, believing that the quantity of words would ensure they were heard. This practice was rooted in the belief that the gods needed to be persuaded or manipulated through persistent and verbose speech. Jesus warns against adopting such practices, emphasizing that God is not like the pagan deities who require persuasion.for they think that by their many words This phrase highlights the misconception that the effectiveness of prayer is dependent on its length or complexity. In the cultural context of the time, many believed that the more words used, the more likely the prayer would be answered. This reflects a misunderstanding of God's nature, suggesting that He is distant or inattentive. Jesus corrects this view by teaching that God is a loving Father who knows the needs of His children even before they ask.they will be heard The desire to be heard is a fundamental aspect of prayer. In the ancient world, being heard by the gods was often seen as a matter of chance or manipulation. However, Jesus assures His followers that God is attentive and responsive to sincere prayers. This assurance is rooted in the character of God as revealed throughout Scripture, where He is depicted as a God who listens and responds to His people (e.g., <a href="/psalms/34-15.htm">Psalm 34:15, 1</a> <a href="/john/5-14.htm">John 5:14-15</a>). Jesus' teaching here points to a relationship with God based on trust and intimacy, rather than ritualistic or formulaic practices.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> The speaker of this verse, providing instruction on prayer during the Sermon on the Mount. 2. <a href="/topical/d/disciples.htm">Disciples</a> The immediate audience of Jesus' teaching, representing all followers of Christ. 3. <a href="/topical/p/pagans.htm">Pagans</a> Refers to non-Jewish people of the time who practiced various religions and were known for their repetitive prayer practices. 4. <a href="/topical/s/sermon_on_the_mount.htm">Sermon on the Mount</a> The setting of this teaching, a significant discourse by Jesus covering various aspects of righteous living.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/s/sincerity_in_prayer.htm">Sincerity in Prayer</a> Jesus emphasizes the importance of genuine communication with God rather than empty repetition. Our prayers should reflect a heartfelt connection with the Father. <a href="/topical/u/understanding_god's_nature.htm">Understanding God's Nature</a> Recognize that God is not impressed by the quantity of words but by the quality and sincerity of our hearts. He knows our needs before we ask. <a href="/topical/a/avoiding_ritualistic_practices.htm">Avoiding Ritualistic Practices</a> While structured prayers can be helpful, they should not become mindless recitations. Engage with the words and ensure they reflect your true intentions. <a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_omniscience.htm">Trust in God's Omniscience</a> Trust that God hears and understands even the simplest of prayers. We do not need to convince Him with lengthy speeches. <a href="/topical/f/focus_on_relationship.htm">Focus on Relationship</a> Prayer is an opportunity to deepen our relationship with God. Approach it as a conversation with a loving Father who desires to hear from His children.<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/what_does_the_bible_say_on_vain_repetition.htm">What does the Bible say about vain repetitions?</a> <a href="/q/can_christians_pray_repetitively.htm">Is it appropriate for Christians to pray repetitively?</a> <a href="/q/does_the_bible_support_the_rosary.htm">Is praying the Rosary supported by the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_'heathen'_mean.htm">What does "heathen" mean?</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>(7) Use not vain repetitions.--The Greek word has a force but feebly rendered in the English. Formed from a word which reproduces the repeated attempts of the stammerer to clothe his thoughts in words, it might be almost rendered, "Do not stutter out your prayers, do not babble them over." The words describe only too faithfully the act of prayer when it becomes mechanical. The devotion of the rosary, in which every bead is connected with a Pater Noster or an Ave Maria, does but reproduce the eighteen prayers of the Rabbis, which they held it to be an act of religion to repeat. On the other hand, it is clear that the law of Christ does not exclude the iteration of intense emotion. That is not a "vain repetition;" and in the great crisis of His human life our Lord Himself prayed thrice "using the same words" (<a href="/matthew/26-44.htm" title="And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.">Matthew 26:44</a>). How far our use of the Lord's Prayer, or of the Kyrie Eleison of our Litanies, is open to the charge of "vain repetition" is another question. It is obvious that it may easily become so to any mechanical worshipper of the Pharisaic type; but there is, on the other side, an ever-accumulating weight of evidence from really devout souls, that they have found it helpful in sustaining the emotion without which prayer is dead.As the heathen do.--We know too little of the details of the ritual of classical heathenism to be able to say how far the charge of vain repetition applied at this time to them. The cries of the worshippers of Baal "from morning even until noon" (<a href="/1_kings/18-26.htm" title="And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped on the altar which was made.">1Kings 18:26</a>), the shouts of those of Artemis at Ephesus "for the space of two hours" (<a href="/acts/19-34.htm" title="But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.">Acts 19:34</a>), may be taken as representative instances.Their much speaking.--This thought was the root-evil of the worship of the heathen or the Pharisee. It gave to prayer a quantitative mechanical force, increased in proportion to the number of prayers offered. If fifty failed, a hundred might succeed. But this assumed that the object of prayer was to change the will of God, or to inform Him of what He did not know before, and our Lord teaches us--as, indeed, all masters of the higher life have taught--that that assumption vitiates prayer at once.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/6.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 7. - But when ye pray (προσευχόμενοι δέ). The Revised Version, and in praying, shows that our Lord is only continuing the subject, and not turning to a new one, as in vers. 2, 5, 16. But while he has thus far thought of prayer as an external act, he now speaks of the substance of the prayers offered, the δέ indicating a transition to another aspect of the same subject. Use not vain repetitions; "Babble not much" (Tyndale). The word used (μὴβατταλογήσητε) is probably onomatopoeic of stuttering. The Peshito employs here the same root () as for μογιλάλος, <a href="/mark/7-32.htm">Mark 7:32</a> (). But from the primary sense of stuttering, βατταλογεῖν, naturally passed to that of babbling in senseless repetitions. As the heathen do (οἱ ἐθνεικοί, Gentiles, Revised Version; <a href="/matthew/5-47.htm">Matthew 5:47</a>, note). Thinking that the virtue lies in the mere utterance of the words. Even the Jews came perilously near this in their abundant use of synonyms and synonymous expressions in their prayers (cf. Lightfoot, 'Hor. Hebr.'). Perhaps it was this fact that assisted the introduction of the reading "hypocrites" in B and the Old Syriac. For they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. In the continuance (ἐν) of their external action lies their hope of being fully heard (εισακουσθήσονται). <a href="/commentaries/matthew/6-7.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>And δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. [when] you pray, Προσευχόμενοι (Proseuchomenoi) Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4336.htm">Strong's 4336: </a> To pray, pray for, offer prayer. From pros and euchomai; to pray to God, i.e. Supplicate, worship. do not babble on βατταλογήσητε (battalogēsēte) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_945.htm">Strong's 945: </a> To chatter, be long-winded, utter empty words, stammer, repeat. From Battos and logos; to stutter, i.e. to prate tediously. like ὥσπερ (hōsper) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_5618.htm">Strong's 5618: </a> Just as, as, even as. From hos and per; just as, i.e. Exactly like. pagans, ἐθνικοί (ethnikoi) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1482.htm">Strong's 1482: </a> Pagan, heathen, gentile; subst: a Gentile, non-Jew. From ethnos; national, i.e. a Gentile. for γὰρ (gar) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1063.htm">Strong's 1063: </a> For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason. they think δοκοῦσιν (dokousin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1380.htm">Strong's 1380: </a> A prolonged form of a primary verb, doko dok'-o of the same meaning; to think; by implication, to seem. that ὅτι (hoti) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_3754.htm">Strong's 3754: </a> Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because. by ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. their αὐτῶν (autōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 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. many words πολυλογίᾳ (polylogia) Noun - Dative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4180.htm">Strong's 4180: </a> Much-speaking, loquacity. From a compound of polus and logos; loquacity, i.e. Prolixity. they will be heard. εἰσακουσθήσονται (eisakousthēsontai) Verb - Future Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1522.htm">Strong's 1522: </a> To hear, listen to, heed. From eis and akouo; to listen to. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/6-7.htm">Matthew 6:7 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/matthew/6-7.htm">Matthew 6:7 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/matthew/6-7.htm">Matthew 6:7 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/matthew/6-7.htm">Matthew 6:7 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/matthew/6-7.htm">Matthew 6:7 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/6-7.htm">Matthew 6:7 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/6-7.htm">Matthew 6:7 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/6-7.htm">Matthew 6:7 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/6-7.htm">Matthew 6:7 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/matthew/6-7.htm">Matthew 6:7 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/matthew/6-7.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 6:7 In praying don't use vain repetitions as (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/6-6.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 6:6"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 6:6" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/6-8.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 6:8"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 6:8" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>